St Vitus Cathedral
A late gothic masterpiece, Saint Vitus Cathedral was part of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV extraordinary building project in Prague carried out in the fourteenth century. Of main interest is the choir, the only part of the cathedral to be constructed during Charles’ lifetime. Begun by the French architect Matthias of Arras, who was responsible for the glass cage effect of the choir windows, it was continued by the amazingly innovative architect Peter Parler. Where Arras’ work would not seem out of place in any French cathedral, Parler’s work draws on English influences and his own inventiveness to produce a revolution in gothic architecture that was to be reflected in the great Germanic churches of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Under the clerestory windows one can make out a number of busts, which include one of the earliest self portraits by any artists. Other highlights include the garish and impressive Wenceslas chapel and the surreal architecture of the west porch with its false staircases and mosaic.
Cost Free, Free
Added 2008/01/29 @ 18:00:18
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