Are you planning to visit St. Vitus Cathedral(also called the Prague Cathedral) and looking for more information? You have come to the right place.
I’m Andrea from Prague Tip and in this article you will find out all the information you need to visit the beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Tip.
We’ll see together what to visit inside, what its history is, hours, ticket prices and how to get there.
Are you ready? Let’s get started
Skip-the-line tickets to Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral
Access the Prague Castle complex and St. Vitus Cathedral by skipping the line at the ticket office and listen to a brief introduction in Italian at the meeting point.
You can cancel your visit up to the day before.
St. Vitus Cathedral Prague: description
St. Vitus Cathedral is the most impressive Catholic building in all of Prague.
It was erected at the height of the medieval era at the behest of Prince Wenceslas.
This striking monument to Christianity is incorporated into the architectural complex of Prague Castle.
The history of the cathedral and that of the Czech capital intersected at various times, causing the building to take on increasing historical, political and religious value over time.
In these aisles, not surprisingly, some 30 Bohemian rulers were crowned, a number of high prelates as well as prominent historical figures were buried here, and it was decided to preserve some precious relics here.
History of St. Vitus Cathedral
It is said that back in 925 Prince Wenceslas built a small building with a semicircular plan on which 4 apses were set.
It, the original core of St. Vitus Cathedral, met all the dictates of the Romanesque style then in vogue.
Only in 1060, however, were plans made to enlarge the structure. Thus the three naves that we can still admire today and the two towers were built.
The works lasted a good 600 years during which the building took on a purely Gothic appearance on which more modern artistic languages were gradually grafted. Its construction was not fully completed until 1929.
What was originally just another church gained in importance over the years, mainly due to the establishment of an archiepiscopal see in Prague.
The establishment of the Congregation of Canons of the Chapter of St. Vitus also played a role in this regard.
What to see at Prague Cathedral
There are several notable sights inside and outside of the historic St. Vitus Cathedral.
The atmosphere within these walls is enchanted, evocative, almost magical.
Much is owed to the stained glass windows, but also to the architecture of the building and the treasures preserved here over which, according to tradition, the spirit of St. Wenceslas would watch.
The original entrance: the Golden Gate
St. Vitus Cathedral consists of several entrances, but the original one coincides with the so-called Golden Gate.
It, located on the right side of the church, to this day is not identified as the main entrance. However, it is passed through here on special ceremonial occasions.
The door is adorned with a precious mosaic.
Among the onlookers are depicted Charles IV and Elizabeth of Pomerania. Both are intent on adoring Christ in Glory.
Completing the depiction are two side mosaics in which Venetian masters were called upon to depict scenes from the Last Judgment.
St. Vitus Cathedral Prague interior: the Chapel of St. Wenceslas
The Chapel of St. Wenceslas is an area intimately connected with spirituality.
This fact is also underscored by theadoption of different architectural styles that somehow emphasize this area of the church.
Among other things, the tomb of St. Wenceslas, patron saint of the entire Czech Republic, is located here.
The chapel is covered with frescoes dating back to the 1300s that tell of the Passion and life of Jesus.
Also set on the walls are gemstones.
Other later decorations, dating from the early 1500s, tell the life of St. Wenceslas instead.
In the chapel there is a small door that provides access to the so-called Crown Chamber, a place where precisely the crown jewels have been kept for centuries.
It is no coincidence that princes and kings of Bohemia were always crowned in this part of the church, protected by the benevolent gaze of the country’s patron saint.
The Chapel of St. Vitus is just one of the many chapels inside the church. Built between 1362 and 1367 (at least in its original core) it hides a little secret.
The clapper visible on the door above would be the same one to which the dying St. Wenceslas clung when his brother Boleslaus and his henchmen assassinated him.
The tomb of the emperor
In the middle of the chancel, exactly in front of the high altar, lies the imperial tomb.
It is surrounded by statues depicting Maximilian II of Habsburg, Anna Jagellon and Ferdinand I, that is, the entire royal family.
Right next to the simulacrum it is possible to discern a small staircase leading to a crypt.
Here, among many other royal tombs, it is also possible to glimpse that of Charles IV.
This area is surrounded by several Gothic chapels in which sepulchral monuments dedicated to distinguished political figures and even Czech patron saints can still be seen.
The most admired sarcophagus of all, however, is that of St. John of Nepomuk, that is, of a Prague priest who lived in the same era as St. Wenceslas (‘300) and who, like him, was murdered.
Apparently, the priest’s body, when exhumed, had its tongue still intact and sprinkled with blood.
Stained glass windows of the Cathedral of St. Vitus Prague
An indispensable component for Gothic architects was the stained glass window, a splendid play of light.
However, at least as far as St. Vitus Cathedral is concerned, the windows date back to the early 1900s. As we have already mentioned, the church under consideration was not completed until the 20th century.
The local and non-local craftsmen who worked here attempted in many cases, however, to adapt to the dictates of the Gothic style.
The stained glass windows were designed by Alphonse Mucha and mostly depict highlights from the lives of St. Cyril and St. Methodius.
On average, the stained glass windows in question are about 14 meters high and each core consists of six adjacent windows.
The court jewels: the royal treasury
The Royal Treasury is located beyond a door accessible from the Chapel of St. Wenceslas.
It is equipped with as many as seven locks and each of these can be opened with a different key.
The keys in question were given to 7 distinguished personalities of Prague.
The Royal Treasury, kept here since the late 1700s, consists of the insignia, scepter and crown of Charles IV (on which are set the largest ruby in the world and some of the largest sapphires ever found).
As you can easily imagine , the originals cannot be displayed publicly.
That is why faithful copies of these objects are kept at the Lobkowitz Palace.
An ancient legend hovers over the court treasure: anyone who tried to wear the crown not being entitled to it would die in excruciating pain.
Apparently, in 1942 a Nazi soldier, heedless of this warning, wore the crown of Charles IV. After a very short time a Czech soldier found him and murdered him.
The Great Tower of St. Vitus Church
The Great Tower stands on the right side of the southern transept of our cathedral.
Although with some difficulty-the steps are very steep and the spaces cramped-it is possible to climb to the top of the building.
From here it will be easy to enjoy a splendid view of Prague from above as well as to observe the set of gears that make up the bell tower clock as well as the huge Sigismund bell.
St. Vitus Cathedral: useful information
A complete visit to St. Vitus Cathedral takes a long time, even an entire day.
However, there are somewhat easier routes designed for those who unfortunately do not have the opportunity to stay for a long time in Prague but still wish to appreciate much of the monuments here.
The church is included in the list of monuments that can be visited with the Prague Card.
Ticket prices for St. Vitus Cathedral
To visit St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, you must necessarily purchase a ticket to the Prague Castle complex.
To do so, you have two options: buy the ticket at the ticket office or online.
My advice is to buy it online, so you can skip the long line that might form at the ticket office, and enjoy priority “skip the line” access.
The Prague Castle access ticket (in which Prague Cathedral is included) is priced at €18, while the guided tour has a higher cost depending on the type of entrance.
Let’s look together at all the options for accessing Prague Castle.
Prague Castle “skip the line” tickets
Gain access to Prague Castle and its interior by skipping the line at the ticket office and listen to a short introduction in Italian at the meeting point.
You can cancel your visit up to the day before.
Guided tour of Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral
Join a guided tour of this fairy-tale castle with a professional guide who speaks Italian. Discover the history and mysteries behind the castle and visit St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, and the Golden Lane.
You can cancel your visit up to the day before
Opening Hours of St. Vitus Cathedral
Prague Castle opens very early in the morning and closes quite late in the evening, so you have plenty of time to visit. Here are the current opening hours:
- November through March: daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday noon to 4:00 p.m.
- April through October: daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
| Month | Opening hours | Closing hours | Notes |
| January | 09:00 | 16:00 | sunday 12 noon to 4 p.m |
| February | 09:00 | 16:00 | sundays from 12 noon to 4 p.m |
| March | 09:00 | 16:00 | sundays from 12 noon to 4 p.m |
| April | 09:00 | 17:00 | sunday from 12 noon to 5 p.m |
| May | 09:00 | 17:00 | sundays from 12 noon to 5 p.m |
| June | 09:00 | 17:00 | sunday from 12 noon to 5 p.m |
| July | 09:00 | 17:00 | sundays from 12 noon to 5 p.m |
| August | 09:00 | 17:00 | sundays from 12 noon to 5 p.m |
| September | 09:00 | 17:00 | sunday from 12 noon to 5 p.m |
| October | 09:00 | 17:00 | sundays from 12 noon to 5 p.m |
| November | 09:00 | 16:00 | sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m |
| December | 09:00 | 16:00 | sunday 12 noon to 4 p.m |
Prague Cathedral of St. Vitus: visit duration
How long is the visit to St. Vitus Cathedral? If you decide to visit the cathedral alone, you need at least 1 hour of visiting time. If, on the other hand, you plan to visit the entire castle complex on your own, put in 2 to 3 hours. Ultimately, however, if you decide to opt for the guided tour, this has a total duration of 2 1/2 hours.
How to get there
To get to St. Vitus Cathedral, you must go to the Prague Castle complex. To do so, take streetcar number 22 from the Malostranská metro station or from Národní třída. You can get off at Prague Castle’s main stop, Pražský hrad. If you prefer to add a short scenic walk, get off at the Pohořelec stop and walk downhill to the main entrance of the castle.
St. Vitus Church: frequently asked questions
Absolutely. The Cathedral is one of the most fascinating (and visited) attractions in the Czech capital. Of all the churches in Prague, the Cathedral is the largest and most important, where, in addition to religious services, coronations of kings and queens were held. The cathedral is the burial place of numerous patron saints, rulers, nobles and archbishops and is a must-see attraction in Prague.
My advice is to enter Prague Cathedral at opening hours (between 9 and 10 a.m.) or before closing (between 3 and 4 p.m.). At these times you will meet only locals, few photographers or castle employees. Avoid lunchtime-the busiest time of the day is in fact between 12 noon and 2 p.m.
Spring and fall (April, May and September, October) are the best times to visit Prague and its Cathedral. The spring and fall months attract fewer crowds but offer the possibility of sunny days and milder weather (remember to bring a jacket and umbrella with you just in case). April and May are undoubtedly the most beautiful months because wonderful flowers bloom on the city’s trees.
Although it is possible to purchase tickets on site, to avoid the long lines that may form at the ticket office, online purchase is always recommended. To purchase online, click here and book your visit to St. Vitus Cathedral and Prague Castle now.
“Skip the Line” Tickets at Prague Castle
Gain access to Prague Castle and its interior by skipping the line at the ticket office and listen to a brief introduction in Italian at the meeting point.
You can cancel your visit up to the day before.
