St. Vitus Cathedral

The 96-meter tower of St. Vitus Cathedral dominates Prague Castle's skyline. When you step inside, you'll walk past Gothic stained glass windows depicting saints and biblical scenes, including Alphons Mucha's masterpiece showing Saints Cyril and Methodius. In the St. Wenceslas Chapel, 1,300 semi-precious stones catch the light on the walls, while medieval gargoyles - each with distinct faces and forms - watch over the cathedral grounds from their perches high above.

Visiting St. Vitus Cathedral

You'll need a Prague Castle circuit ticket (250 CZK) to explore most of the cathedral's interior. Visit before 10 AM to experience the cathedral at its calmest, as crowds increase significantly after the noon guard change. The cathedral closes during religious services.

Interior Highlights of the Cathedral

The St. Wenceslas Chapel lies at the cathedral's heart. Its walls glitter with 1,300 semi-precious stones, while 16th-century frescoes tell biblical stories above. You'll find St. Wenceslas's tomb here, and a small door leads to the Crown Chamber storing the Bohemian Crown Jewels. Throughout the day, sunlight streams through the stained glass windows, including Mucha's Art Nouveau masterpiece depicting Saints Cyril and Methodius in vivid colors.

Exploring the Great South Tower

The 287-step climb up the Great South Tower rewards you with views across Prague. Halfway up, you'll pass the 16-ton Sigismund Bell, the largest bell in the Czech Republic. The tower entrance costs 200 CZK and doesn't require a castle circuit ticket.

Architecture and Design

Construction lasted from 1344 to 1929, resulting in both medieval Gothic and 19th-century Neo-Gothic architecture. The western facade stretches 82 meters high, crowned by twin towers and a 10.4-meter rose window. Look for the 14 saint statues on the front, including Charles IV and Archbishop Arnošt of Pardubice.

Practical Information

Summer hours (April-October) run 9 AM to 5 PM, while winter hours (November-March) are 9 AM to 4 PM. Daily Catholic masses take place at 7 AM, with Sunday services at 8:30 AM and 10 AM. The cathedral has ramps and facilities for wheelchair users. Enter through the main doors on the western side, between the Second and Third Courtyard of Prague Castle.