St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle

St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle is one of the symbols of the Czech statehood; it is the coronation and burial site of Bohemian kings and to this day is a leading Christian cathedral, a residence of archbishops, the venue for state ceremonies and, last but not least, a much sought-after tourist attraction.
 
St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, the first English-language book on this iconic structure, presents the cathedral’s history, inseparably linked to the history of the Czech lands. The authors present the circumstances of the cathedral’s foundation by Charles IV in the fourteenth century and the progression of the construction, including later alterations and additions. The book focuses particularly on a detailed description of the sculpted and artistic decoration and significant monuments including St Wenceslaus’ Chapel and the burial site of Bohemian kings. The text, set in a the broader context of the developments of European architecture, is richly illustrated with contemporary photographs, historical images, reconstructions, and plans.

Jiri Kuthan is a director of the Institute of history of Christian Art, Charles University Prague, Catholic Faculty.Jan Royt was head of the Institute of Christian Art History of Charles University, and is the author ofThe Master of the Trebon Altarpiece and Medieval Painting in Bohemia, both also available from Karolinum Press.