St. Vitus Cathedral

48/2 III. nádvoří Hradčany

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🎧 English Audio Narration

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Katedrála sv. Víta (St. Vitus Cathedral), towering above the city from within Prague Castle, is the largest and most important church in the Czech Republic—a symbol of national identity, history, spirituality, and royal heritage. Its stunning Gothic silhouette dominates the skyline, but it's the richness of detail inside that leaves visitors in awe. St. Vitus Cathedral is not just a place of worship—it is the soul of Prague, a silent witness to a thousand years of Czech history and a must-see for any visitor who seeks to understand the spirit of this city.

The first church that stood on the site of today's cathedral was a rotunda founded by St. Wenceslas around the year 930. Saint Wenceslas himself is one of the most important figures in Czech history—a prince of Bohemia, murdered by his brother in the 10th century and later canonized. He became the patron saint of the Czech lands and a symbol of Czech statehood, morality, and resistance. It was almost entirely demolished in the mid-11th century and replaced with a basilica.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1344 under Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, who played a transformative role in shaping medieval Prague. Under his reign in the 14th century, Prague became the imperial capital, and many of its greatest landmarks—including Charles Bridge, the New Town, and Charles University—were founded. It was only completed in 1929, resulting in a masterpiece that blends Gothic, Baroque, and Neo-Gothic elements.

More than just a place of worship, the cathedral has hosted the coronations of Czech kings and queens, and is the final resting place for saints, sovereigns, and archbishops, as well as solemn state ceremonies and funerals of major national figures, such as President Václav Havel in 2011.

NOTE: Due to ongoing restoration works, the free-access section of the cathedral has been closed since October 25, 2023, until further notice. Visitors can currently only access the cathedral with a valid circuit ticket.

Self-Guided Tour:

Upon entering the cathedral, visitors are captivated not only by its vastness, but also by its decoration and above all by the abundance of magnificent windows, some of which date back to the 19th century. The most famous among them is the Art Nouveau window designed by Alfons Mucha, inserted in 1931. This vibrant window in the northern nave depicts Saint Wenceslas with his grandmother Ludmila, surrounded by scenes from the lives of the Slavic missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodius.

The Chapel of St. Wenceslas is the spiritual heart of St. Vitus Cathedral. Its stunning decoration and unique architectural style highlight the exceptional nature of this chapel, which serves as the focal point of the cathedral and houses the tomb of the most important patron saint of the Czech lands. Its walls are encrusted with semi-precious stones, and the upper decorative band features rare 15th-century frescoes.

A discreet door in the corner leads to the most guarded space in the cathedral—the Crown Chamber, where the original Czech coronation jewels are kept. These are never on regular display and only the copies are shown to the public on rare ceremonial occasions. What visitors can view instead are faithful copies exhibited in the Old Royal Palace.

As you walk along the cathedral's triforium, a raised gallery running along the walls, take note of the row of carved stone busts. These portraits commemorate the architects, patrons, and kings connected with the building of the cathedral, offering a silent gallery of faces from across centuries.

One of the most captivating artistic features is the carved oak relief, showing a panoramic view of Prague as it appeared 400 years ago, when it was still a mosaic of four separate towns—Hradčany, Malá Strana, Staré Město, and Nové Město.

At the heart of the nave, visitors cannot miss the monumental tomb of St. John of Nepomuk, one of the largest Baroque tombs in Europe. Crafted in the early 18th century, it contains over a ton of pure silver, and celebrates the canonized priest who, according to legend, was thrown into the Vltava for refusing to violate the seal of confession.

Beneath the cathedral lies a crypt, a treasure trove for archaeologists and historians alike. Here are the remains of earlier churches, including the 10th-century rotunda and 11th-century basilica, and most significantly, the Royal Tombs. At the centre rests Charles IV, his tomb adorned with the emblems of both his imperial and royal status, including the Holy Roman Imperial Crown and the Czech Crown of Saint Wenceslas, which he commissioned.

Beside him lie all four of his wives, and nearby are the tombs of his son Wenceslas IV, and other royal descendants including George of Poděbrady (the only Hussite king of Bohemia) and Ladislaus the Posthumous. The particularly striking sarcophagus at the back belongs to Rudolf II, whose ornate lead coffin marks him as the only major Habsburg emperor buried in Prague. Known for his patronage of the arts, science, and alchemy, Rudolf II ruled from Prague at the turn of the 17th century and turned the city into a vibrant centre of the Renaissance and Mannerism.

💡 Top Tip 💡

For one of the best panoramic views in Prague, climb the 287 steps of the Grand South Tower, the oldest tower of the Cathedral, which also houses the cathedral bells. The most famous is undoubtedly the Zikmund Bell, dating back to the 1540s. The sound people normally hear every hour and half-hour comes from a clock mechanism. The bells are only rung on special occasions, and Zikmund is sounded just a few times a year. Note that you need to buy a separate entrance ticket.

📅 Plan your visit

🏰 Prague Castle Main Circuit Ticket (incl. Old Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica & Golden Lane)
🕒 Opening Hours:
Apr–Oct: Mon–Sat: 9:00–17:00, Sun: 12:00–17:00
Nov–Mar: Mon–Sat: 9:00–16:00, Sun: 12:00–16:00
🌐 Buy Tickets Online to avoid queues Tickets MUST be PRINTED!!!!
🎟 On-site: Tickets available at Prague Castle Information Centre ticket office (across the Cathedral)

🗼South Tower Lookout
🕒 Opening Hours:
Apr–Oct: 10:00–18:00
Nov–Mar: 10:00–17:00
🌐 Ticket Price Information
🎟 On-site: Tickets available at Prague Castle Information Centre ticket office (across the Cathedral)