Description from Prague TV
The colossal spires of St. Vitus's Cathedral (Katedrála sv. Víta) can be seen from almost all of Prague.

Located in the third courtyard of the Prague Castle, St. Vitus is the oldest site on the property. The Gothic cathedral is named for a Roman legionnaire who began his life as a peasant but was eventually thrown to the lions.

The cathedral was commissioned by Karel IV in 1344. Centuries of different architects gave St. Vitus a bit of variety and also helped blend together its neo-Gothic and Gothic structures.

In the 15th century, during the Hussite Wars, the building suffered immense damage and underwent a substantial amount of reconstruction. As it underwent restoration, the church began to adopt a more unified architectural look.

The most recognizable element of the cathedral is its tower, whose Baroque dome is one of the church's defining features. Within the tower rests Sigismund, Bohemia's largest bell. A mosaic depicting the Last Judgment decorates the Gothic Golden Portal right below the tower.

Inside, the stained glass ascending to the top of the church illuminates the nave with multicolored light. The most famous window depicts the struggle of Christian and Slavonic tribes.

Past the entrance is the Chapel of St. Wenceslas (Kaple sv. Václava), taking the space of the original rotunda of the 10th century where Wenceslas himself was buried. The chapel was built in 1345 and has amethysts, jaspers and agates integrated into the design. The art can be viewed over the railings but the chapel is closed to public.

For those feeling brave, the top of the cathedral is accessible by a tight staircase, leading to the Renaissance Gallery. From here, there are spectacular views across Prague.

In front of the high altar stands a marble mausoleum, beneath which, in the crypt, are tombs containing the remains of Czech kings and saints.

Ashley N. Knierim