Up on the hills of the capital of the Czech Republic lies Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech president and the largest ancient castle complex still standing in the world. An important part of Prague's skyline, the facility itself is enormous and contains another wonder of the country's architecture: the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert, more commonly known as St. Vitus Cathedral.
Glistening: View of the exterior main entrance of St. Vitus Cathedral.
A shining example of Gothic architecture, the cathedral stands at a gargantuan 124 meters high, earning it's place on Prague's glistening skyline.
Work on the cathedral progressed slowly; work started in the 13th century, but the cathedral itself came to be completed in the 20th century, following several additions, the distractions of other projects (including fellow iconic structure the Charles Bridge) the death of several architects, and a world war affecting the rest of Europe. Finally 600 years after it began construction, the cathedral was complete.
The east side of the cathedral showcases a large mosaic of the biblical Last Judgement, as well as flying buttresses and gargoyles to syphon water from damaging the structure when it rains.
Heaven, Hell, and Judgement: Details from the Last Judgement mosaic on the cathedral's east side.
If the outside is entrancing, the inside is on a league of its own. Tell me your jaw wouldn't drop if you were met with this view.
Jaw-Dropping: The center hall of the cathedral, leading to the altar and the back towers.
The stained glass windows are also a sight to behold, from the heavenly rose window at the top that illustrates the Genesis story to the multi-colored designs on the cathedral's left interior, which were designed by Czech painter and renowned Art Nouveau icon, Alphons Mucha.
Windows to the Soul: Stained glass windows, and details from the Mucha section.
The cathedral also boasts the chapel of St. Wenceslas, which holds the relics of the saint, as well as the tombs of several important religious dignitaries. Of course, scattered about the cathedral are golden angels, marble statues of several saints, and medieval-style paintings of biblical scenes; all of these artistic influences coming together under the roof of this monument to the Gothic style might sound messy, but the way it comes together is unearthly in its organization. It puts some galleries to shame.
Angels and Statues: A selection of the marble, gold, and silver statues interspersed throughout the cathedral.
This national treasure of the Czech Republic is a must-visit if you ever find yourself in Prague, if only for the outside view of the rose window. Believe me when I tell you that you'll want to go inside and explore despite having to pay; nobody should be deprived of the chance to get an intimate look at something this beautiful, and with the exchange rate in your favor, there's really no excuse. Happy exploring!
Grandeur: The West side, which boasts the Last Judgement mosaic and a clock tower.
