236 CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp288–91 and pp292–5
Work began on St Vitus’s Cathedral, Prague’s
most distinctive landmark, in 1344. Architect
Peter Parler was largely responsible for the
grandiose Gothic design, though the building
was not completed for another 600 years.
The cathe dral contains the tomb of Good
King Wenceslas and some fine works of art
including an exquisite Alfons Mucha window.
Window by
Alfons Mucha
The beautiful
glass window
was painted by
Alfons Mucha in
Czech Art
Nouveau style.Rose Window
Designed by František Kysela
in the 1920s, the window
above the portals depicts
scenes from the biblical
story of the Creation.
Twin West
SpiresNaveMain entranceWest FrontTriforiumGargoyles
On the ornate west
front, gutter spouts are
given their traditional
disguise as gargoyles.St Vitus’s Cathedral 3
chrám sv Víta
TIMELINE1000 1200 1400 1600 18001619
Calvinists
take over
cathedral
as house
of prayer1929 Consecration of
completed cathedral,
nearly 1,000 years
after the death of
St Wenceslas1770 New steeple
added to tower
after fire1344 King John of
Luxembourg founds
Gothic cathedral.
French architect
Matthew of Arras
begins work1359 Master builder
Peter Parler
summoned to
continue work on
the cathedral1872 Joseph
Mocker
begins work
on west nave
1421 Hussites
occupy St Vitus’sc. 925 Rotunda of
St Vitus built by
St Wenceslas1060 Building
of triple-aisled
basilica begins
on orders
of Prince
Spytihněv1589 Royal tomb
completedBust of Peter Parler
on triforium