The dominant feature of Prague Castle is undoubtedly the Cathedral of St. Vitus. Inside the cathedral, the coronation of Czech kings were , some of them here and buried, so that the cathedral for the residents of Prague - a place sacred. St. Vitus Cathedral is the spiritual , artistic and national historical relic of the Czech Republic.With 926 years in place of the modern grand temple , built in Gothic style, there was a small church of St. Vitus , the foundations which have been partially preserved . In the eleventh century it was rebuilt in the basilica. In the XIV century, the Prague bishopric was transformed into an archbishopric .In this regard, the upgrading of Prague, the Czech king Jan of Luxembourg planned to build a new cathedral , designed to symbolize the glory of the Kingdom of Bohemia . In 1344 he was invited to Prague, the French architect Mathieu of Arras . He was appointed chief builder of Prague.Mathieu has developed a plan of Arras Cathedral of St. Vitus , which preserved the scheme , traditional for the Gothic cathedrals of southern France. That same year, in the presence of King John of Luxembourg and his sons, November 21, 1344 the solemn laying of the foundation stone of the cathedral. Construction of the cathedral of St. Vitus was spread over a century.The eastern part of the temple was built in XIV-XV centuries, the West - in the second half of XIX century. Finally, the cathedral was completed only in the early twentieth century. The facades of St. Vitus Cathedral is decorated with abundant stone carving . Above the portal of the southern facade is a mosaic Judgement (1371-1372 gg.) - The earliest surviving mosaics Czech .The fact that the church began to build a French architect , reminiscent of statues of gargoyles that adorn the drains. This motive , as we have seen , was very characteristic of medieval France.
high spire shot up its Bell Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral for many years, is the tallest building in Prague.At its top is a staircase with a rather steep stairs , breaking that , you can see a panorama of the Czech capital.
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