St. Vitus Cathedral

St. Vitus Cathedral (Czech Katedrála: sv. Víta Václava in Vojtecha) is the largest and most majestic church in Prague. It is the spiritual symbol of the Czech Republic and one of the most fascinating buildings within the castle complex.

The scene of some thirty coronations of Bohemian princes, kings and queens, the cathedral holds the crown and sceptre of Bohemia, protected, it is said, by the Holy Spirit of St Wenceslas, as well as the remains of important figures from Czech history including saints, kings, knights and archbishops.

Inside this 100-year-old building, which dominates the picturesque castle grounds, you will find countless attractions and surprises. The golden portal, the royal crypt, the high altar, the Chapel of St Wenceslas, the largest bell in Bohemia and the stained glass windows by the Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha are just some of the wonders that await you.

The Cathedral of St. Vitus, whose full name is the Cathedral of St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert, is the third church erected on this site, after a rotunda built by St. Wenceslas in 929 and the Basilica of Vratislav and Spytihnev dating back to 1060.

The construction of the present Gothic church lasted over six hundred years: started in 1344 by order of Charles IV, it was not finally completed until 1929.

Chapel of St Wenceslas

The most famous part of the cathedral is undoubtedly the Chapel of St Wenceslas, richly adorned with semi-precious stones and early 16th century paintings depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the Czech patron saint.

It was in this chapel that coronation ceremonies were held and it is here, protected by no less than seven locks, that the crown jewels are still kept, fine gold jewellery adorned with precious stones including the crown of St Wenceslas, the royal sceptre and the imperial pommel.

When you admire the crown, don’t be dazzled by the beauty of the 96 precious stones adorning it: wearing it must not have been comfortable at all – it weighed a whopping 2.5 kg!

Stained glass windows

Walk through the wide aisles bordered by mighty columns supporting a majestic vault and let yourself be captivated by the play of light created by the colourful stained glass windows by Czech artists of the early 20th century.

Have fun looking among the stained glass windows for the one created by Alphonse Mucha, a famous Czech Art Nouveau artist: you will find it in the third chapel on your left and it depicts scenes from the lives of Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Royal Crypt

Crowds of visitors gather here to see the marble sarcophagus containing the remains of people who have made history in Prague and the Czech Republic: Charles IV, Wenceslas IV, George of Poděbrady and Rudolf II.

Great Tower

The tower to the right of the south transept is another of the most famous sights inside the cathedral. Climb the very steep steps, bordering on claustrophobia, without regret. There are almost three hundred of them and the breathlessness is guaranteed, but you will be rewarded by an extraordinary spectacle. Indeed, from the top of the tower you have the most beautiful view of the city of Prague.

When you visit the tower, you will also have the opportunity to take a close look at the clock mechanisms from 1597, which will take you back in time (only metaphorically, of course!). You can also admire Sigismund’s bell, the largest in the whole of Bohemia.

Admission ticket for St Vitus Cathedral

Most of St. Vitus Cathedral can be visited free of charge, but to access the historical part, which includes the choir, chapels, tombs of Bohemian kings and archbishops and the southern tower with its spectacular view over the city, you must have purchased a ticket to Prague Castle, choosing either the short or long tour. It is not possible to buy a ticket for the cathedral alone.

It really is worth spending the money to admire the cathedral in all its beauty. Bear in mind that a thorough visit to St Vitus Cathedral would even require a whole day!

Ticket + guided tour

For a few euros more, you can join a tour of the Castle and Cathedral with a certified professional guide. Tours are available for individuals and groups in several languages.

Save on admission with a Prague city card

To save on admission to Prague Castle and Cathedral consider buying a Prague city card, a tourist pass that gives you free or discounted admission to several of the city’s attractions, including Prague Castle. Choose the one that’s right for you, depending on duration, attractions to visit or services included, such as public transport.

← → Scorri in orizzontale per vedere la tabella

	Prague CoolPass / Prague Card	Prague Visitor Pass	Prague Digital Pass
Attractions	Over 70	Over 60	Castle & Astronomical Clock
Trasport	Not included	Unlimited	Not included
Duration	1 to 6 days	48, 72 and 120 hours	Unlimited
	Buy	Buy	Buy

← → Scorri in orizzontale per vedere la tabella

Curiosities

• Among the stones adorning the crown of St Wenceslas are the world’s largest ruby used in jewellery and six of the nine largest sapphires in the world.
• According to legend, anyone who wears the crown without being entitled to it will be punished with death.
• St Vitus, the patron saint of Bohemia, is also the patron saint of artists, actors and dancers. According to folk legends, he also protects against dog bites, lightning and, should you ever fall victim to it, excessive sleep.