St. Vitus Cathedralin Prague is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located in the same complex as Prague Castle sitting high above the city next to the largest ancient castle in the world. The trek up the hill to the castle and the cathedral is a nice and very scenic hike over St. Charles Bridge and up the many steps that take you to the top of the hill. The Gothic Cathedral is the oldest and most significant church in all of Prague. Both the exterior and interior of the building are stunning and the ornate stained glasswork rising high overhead is just the beginning of the beauty that can be seen here. Here one can find the tombs of many of the ancient Kings of Bohemia.
The front façade of the Cathedral with its Rose Window and symmetrical towers provides a majestic presence within the Prague Castle complex. Visitors should keep in mind that when coming here in the summer months this is an area that gets very crowded. For personalized tours you should plan on getting here early during the busy months or otherwise plan on being in a large group as this complex is one of if not the most visited sites in all of Prague. This is a site that has throughout history been massively important to the Czech people and is to this day a symbol of the strength of this nation. This is also a very important architectural site as it is a site that has influenced late Gothic architecture throughout Europe.
This is easily the largest and most important church within the country and its location at the Prague Castle complex is fitting as this is a church that has served as the symbol of religion in the region for centuries. After making the long ascent up the many hills and stairs that lead into the Prague Castle Complex, you will notice stoic guards at the entrance of the area. This is a favorite photo spot for many tourists, somewhat similar to those at Buckingham Palace where many travelers choose to get photos next to the unflinching guards who stand painstakingly silent and uninfluenced at the gates.
The Cathedral that is standing today remains in Gothic style, having been constructed in 1344 and constantly renovated and restored over the many years since its construction. In 1544 a fire severely damaged the cathedral however it is said that restoration and renovation efforts did much to improve the appearance of the Cathedral and the resulting gorgeous structure we see today is evidence of this.
When coming to view the Cathedral and surrounding Prague Castle Complex, set aside at least a few hours in doing so as there is much to see here. The Cathedral itself will provide you with an information overload so sometimes it is better to just take it all in rather than getting wrapped up in all the facts and stories as there are many here. When in Prague this is the most important religious site and an attraction you do not want to miss.
