St. Vitus's Cathedral, the predominant feature of the Prague castle, is the most significant religious monument in the Czech Republic. Its visual aspect was formed by high Gothic style of the 14th century and NeoGothic style of the late 19th century and early 20th century. Its foundation was initiated by King Jan of Luxembourg (Jan Lucemburský), along with the prince royal, Charles IV, who eventually became Czech king and Roman emperor. Its predecessors were two churches
of the same dedication - a Pre-Romanesque rotunda, built from 926-930 by Prince Václav, and Prince Spytihněv's Romanesque basilica dating from 1060-1096. On the occasion of celebrating the Prague bishopric being promoted to archbishopric the construction of a monumental Gothic cathedral commenced in their place according to a design by Mathias of Arras. After his death in 1352 Peter Parler, a young architect from Schwabian Gmund, continued the work. He decided
not to follow Mathias's design in the style of Post-Classic French cathedrals, as it was at that time already somewhat outdated. He impressed his own persona I architectural style on the cathedral, characterised by new progressive elements, some of which were being used for the first tirne in Europe. His art continually developed as the construction proceeded, and every section surprises the viewer with creative ideas, radiating with an effort to design everything unconventionally, individualistically, not according to custom. The reticulated vaulting above the cathedral chancel is verv impressive. This had been unknown in Czech architecture. It broke the stereotypical rhythm of the vault spans and conceived the space as a continuous unit (photo above). The dynamic vaulting with three arch ribs in the Southern Narthes is also striking. The arch ribs practically lose their original structural function and become primarily an aesthetic element; Parler's concept being at least one hundred years ahead of its tirne for European architecture.
By the tirne of his death in 1399 Peter Parler had managed to finish the eastern part of the cathedral, including a garland of chapels and the lower floors of the Great Southern Spire. His sons then continued the work. The Hussite Wars interrupted the construction, and afterwards the western side of the cathedral was temporarily c1osed. During the following centuries there were several unsuccessful attempts to complete the cathedral. Only after 1865 was the original Gothic section renovated by Josef Kranner, 1873 marking the laying of the foundation stone of the actual triple nave, built according to the design of architect Josef Mocker. After 1899 architect Kamil Hilbert supervised the construction. He also finally completed the cathedral in 1929.
not to follow Mathias's design in the style of Post-Classic French cathedrals, as it was at that time already somewhat outdated. He impressed his own persona I architectural style on the cathedral, characterised by new progressive elements, some of which were being used for the first tirne in Europe. His art continually developed as the construction proceeded, and every section surprises the viewer with creative ideas, radiating with an effort to design everything unconventionally, individualistically, not according to custom. The reticulated vaulting above the cathedral chancel is verv impressive. This had been unknown in Czech architecture. It broke the stereotypical rhythm of the vault spans and conceived the space as a continuous unit (photo above). The dynamic vaulting with three arch ribs in the Southern Narthes is also striking. The arch ribs practically lose their original structural function and become primarily an aesthetic element; Parler's concept being at least one hundred years ahead of its tirne for European architecture.