St. Vitus Cathedral
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Why go
- The royal sarcophagi of Charles IV, Wenceslas IV, Ladislaus the Terrible, George of Poděbrady and Rudolf II.
- The south tower, 96.6 m high, is the third-tallest church tower in the country, with views over the castle and the town.
- The net-rib vault over the choir, an unusual vault type later named after Peter Parler.
Opening hours
Today09:00 – 15:30Show all
Don't miss
- St Wenceslas ChapelThe chapel holds the saint's relics, and its walls are decorated with gold and more than 1300 gems. It is closed to visitors, but can be seen from its doorways.Inside the cathedral1367 On the map
- Tomb of St John of NepomukThe high tomb is made of pure silver. It is the most important Baroque furnishing in the cathedral.Inside the cathedral1733–36 On the map
- Rose window of the western portalThe rose window, designed by František Kysela, shows scenes of creation.The western portal1925–1927 On the map
- Zikmund bellThe biggest bell in the Czech Republic weighs 18 tonnes and needs four experienced ringers. It has rung from the top of the cathedral since 1548.The Bell Tower1548 On the map
- Golden PortalThe original medieval portal, on the south side of the cathedral.South side of the cathedralMedieval On the map
Know before you go
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 09:00–15:30. Sunday Mass is at 10:00 a.m., see services.
- The south tower has its own separate ticket and can be visited on its own.
- An online virtual tour shows the interior and places usually hidden from view on regular tours.
- The Bell Tower has 287 stairs up to its top, with views of the castle and the area around it.
- Address: III. Nádvoří 48/2, Prague Castle. The cathedral lies behind the gates of the castle complex.
- Office phone: +420 224 372 423.
Legends and hidden details
- Legend held that, once finished, the cathedral would rival Hagia Sofia in fame.
- Tradition held that kings should be both crowned and buried here, as Charles IV planned.
- Tradition has kings processing along the Königsweg from the Old Town into the cathedral.
Interesting facts7
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1355
Since 1355 the cathedral has kept the head of St Vitus as a relic.
Veitsdom - Wikipedia -
1997
Until 1997 it was dedicated only to Saint Vitus; its name now includes Wenceslaus and Adalbert.
St. Vitus Cathedral - Wikipedia -
Besides services, it serves as a treasury, a mausoleum of kings and a gallery of portraits.
Katedrála svatého Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha - Wikipedia -
Seven people, including the Czech President, hold the keys to the locks of the door to the Crown Chamber.
Prague/Castle and Lesser Town - Wikivoyage (see) -
Portrait busts of the canons who oversaw the building work are in the inner triforium.
Metropolitan Chapter - Katedrála svatého Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha -
Buildings of the Parler workshop include Stephansdom in Vienna and Strasbourg Cathedral.
St. Vitus Cathedral - Wikipedia -
2026
The new organ, completed in June 2026, has 122 stops on four manuals and 5,755 pipes.
St. Vitus Cathedral - Wikipedia
History
Charles IV meant the new Gothic cathedral to be a coronation church, a family crypt and a treasury for the kingdom's relics. Matthias of Arras was the first master builder of the Gothic cathedral, begun on 21 November 1344. Work then halted during the Hussite wars, and a fire in 1541 destroyed the unfinished western part. In 2011 the state funeral of Václav Havel was held here, the first state funeral since 1875.
- around 929Wenceslaus founds the first church on the site, a small rotunda.
- 1060Prince Spytihněv II replaces the rotunda with a larger three-aisled basilica.
- 1344King John of Bohemia lays the foundation stone of the Gothic cathedral.
- 1352Peter Parler takes over as master builder after Matthias of Arras dies.
- 1420The choir and the base of the main tower are finished.
Show all
- 1861Work restarts under Joseph Kranner.
- 1929Kamil Hilbert completes the building, and it is consecrated.
- 1997The dedication is extended to Saint Wenceslaus and Saint Adalbert, alongside Saint Vitus.
Sources: St. Vitus Cathedral - Wikipedia · Prague/Castle and Lesser Town - Wikivoyage (see) · Katedrála svatého Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha · History of the cathedral - Katedrála svatého Ví… · Metropolitan Chapter - Katedrála svatého Víta, … · Katedrála svatého Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha - Wi… · Veitsdom - Wikipedia · Cathédrale Saint-Guy de Prague - Wikipedia · checked 17 Oct 2026
- Website
- katedralasvatehovita.cz/cs
- Phone
- +420224372423
Questions and answers
What are the opening hours of St Vitus Cathedral in Prague?
The cathedral is open Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 15:30. Sunday Holy Mass starts at 10:00 a.m.
How tall is the south tower of St Vitus Cathedral?
The south tower is 96.6 m high, the third-tallest church tower in the Czech Republic.
Is there a Sunday Mass at St Vitus Cathedral?
Yes. Holy Mass is at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays, and past services can be watched in an online archive.
Where is St Vitus Cathedral and how do I contact it?
It stands inside Prague Castle at III. Nádvoří 48/2. The office phone number is under visit rules on this page.
Can you reach the top of the Bell Tower without stairs?
No. The top of the Bell Tower is reached by 287 stairs.
How many visitors does St Vitus Cathedral get each year?
About 1.5 million visitors go inside the cathedral every year.
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