Home - Travel Destinations - Step Out Into The Beautiful St Vitus Cathedral Prague: A UNESCO Treasure
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Home - Travel Destinations - Step Out Into The Beautiful St Vitus Cathedral Prague: A UNESCO Treasure
If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Step into the heart of Prague’s history with the awe-inspiring St. Vitus Cathedral. Rising above the city as part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre, this Gothic masterpiece isn’t just a landmark—it’s a living chronicle of kings, saints, and centuries of craftsmanship. Whether you’re drawn by its rose windows, royal tombs, or sheer architectural grandeur, the cathedral is a must-see for anyone exploring Prague Castle.
🏰 A UNESCO Treasure
St. Vitus Cathedral is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Historic Centre of Prague. It is not listed as a standalone site, but it is included within the broader designation that covers Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and other historic monuments.
⭐ Did You Know?
The St. Vitus Cathedral isn’t a standalone monument—it’s the crown jewel of Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle complex in the world. When you step inside the cathedral, you’re also exploring the heart of the castle grounds, where Czech kings were crowned, and saints are buried. Visiting here means experiencing two UNESCO treasures at once: the cathedral and the castle that surrounds it.
Saint Vitus is buried in St Vitus Cathedral. Legend has it that he was a Christian saint from Sicily and is regarded as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers of medieval Roman Catholicism. Christians were persecuted in 303 by co-ruling Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. He died as a martyr during the persecution.
St Vitus Cathedral is the ultimate in Gothic architecture. Founded in 1344, the cathedral took almost 600 years to complete.
This spiritual symbol of the Czech state was founded on the site of the original Romanesque rotunda. It reached completion in 1929.
St Vitus Cathedral is the largest and most important church in the country. At 97 meters in height, you can’t miss it.
⭐ Did You Know?
The 16-meter-tall granite monolith was designed in 1928 in dedication to the victims of World War I.
The tombs of many Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors can be seen, including those of St. Wenceslaus and St. John of Nepomuk. Saint John is the saint of Bohemia (Czech Crown lands) who was drowned in the Vltava River at the behest of Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia.
Imagine yourself walking into the cathedral. Now, look up into the western frontispiece. This window took two years to complete.
The window tells the Biblical story of creation. The inscription on the outer circle reads: “in the beginning, God created the earth and the earth was empty. And deserted, darkness lay above the world, and the divine spirit floated above the world.”
The inner circle is inscribed with, “initially there was a word. The creation of angels.”
From right to left, you will notice each petal represents a day of the week in which the Earth was created.
Furthermore, the window’s shape represents the Earth’s shape.
God is seated at the top of the window, looking down at his incredible creation.
When you are inside, you will notice the blues and greens within the design to resemble the Earth seen from space.
This window, completed in 1877, tells the story of Mary Magdalene washing the feet of Jesus Christ. And just below are the apostles Bartholomew and Matthew.
💡 Travel Tip: Avoid standing in line to buy tickets. Instead, buy a Prague Castle Skip-the-Line Ticket with Audioguide well in advance of your visit. Explore iconic landmarks like St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, and Golden Lane with an audioguide.
Another masterpiece. This time, a portrayal of Jesus falling into God’s arms. The Holy Trinity, namely the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit, is symbolized in the form of a dove.
To the left, the Virgin Mary, dressed in Royal purple, is honoured with the crown of Saint Wenceslas—the blessed St. Mlada and St. Ludmila, and kneeling beside her.
On the right, St. Wenceslas and St. Vitus kneel while Charles IV holds a model of a Gothic Cathedral.
💡 Travel Tip: Avoid standing in line to buy tickets. Instead, buy a Prague Castle Skip-the-Line Ticket with Audioguide well in advance of your visit. Explore iconic landmarks like St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, and Golden Lane with an audioguide.
If you want to stay very close to St. Vitus Cathedral without needing to walk far, the best options are boutique hotels and residences located right inside or just below Prague Castle in the Malá Strana district. These accommodations are within a few minutes’ walk of the cathedral, making them ideal if mobility is a concern.
MOOo by the Castle – A luxury apartment-style stay 400 metres from the castle, with excellent accessibility and modern amenities.
Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa – Boutique luxury with castle views, offering breakfast and elegant interiors. It’s about 100 metres from the cathedral.
💡 Travel Tip: Taxis can also drop you directly at the castle gates, making access even easier.
From its soaring spires to its sacred chapels, St. Vitus Cathedral embodies the spirit of Prague—majestic, resilient, and timeless. Visiting here isn’t just about admiring architecture; it’s about walking through layers of faith, history, and artistry that continue to inspire. As you leave its doors, you carry a piece of Czech heritage with you.
💬 We’d love to hear from you. Have you stood beneath the rose window or wandered the cathedral’s chapels? Share your favorite memory—or what you’d love to see first—below! Your stories bring this UNESCO treasure to life for our community.
Author: Arina JVR – 30+ countries, countless stories.
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