The Mucha window
Art Nouveau stained glass from 1931, in colours closer to a painting than a window — the single thing visitors stop longest at.
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St Vitus Cathedral is the building that gives Prague's skyline its shape: its south tower is visible from almost anywhere in the city. Construction began in 1344 under Charles IV, with Matthias of Arras and then Peter Parler as architects, but wars and money stopped the work for centuries — the west front was only finished in 1929, making the total build some six hundred years. Inside lie the kings and patron saints of Bohemia. The chapel of St Wenceslas is faced with more than a thousand semi-precious stones set into the plaster, and a small door in it leads to the chamber of the Czech crown jewels, opened only on very rare occasions with seven keys held by seven different people. The stained glass, notably, is mostly 20th-century rather than medieval. The most famous window was designed by Alphonse Mucha in Art Nouveau style, in colours that look lit from within. Stand under it between 10am and 2pm, when the sun comes through from the north side, and you will see why people linger there longer than anywhere else in the building.
Art Nouveau stained glass from 1931, in colours closer to a painting than a window — the single thing visitors stop longest at.
Its walls are inlaid with more than a thousand semi-precious stones, and from it the door leads to the crown jewel chamber with its seven locks.
A Baroque monument in roughly two tonnes of silver, made in the 18th century and among the largest silver works in Europe.
Some 287 spiral steps to a gallery over the whole of Prague — no lift, a tight climb, and the finest overhead view of the city.
Third Courtyard, Prague Castle, Prague 1
Prague CastlePrague Castle is not one castle but a small city on a hill: a vast Gothic cathed1 minute walk4.6
Royal Garden of Prague CastleThe Royal Garden runs north of Prague Castle, separated from its walls by the de3 minutes walk4.8
Sternberg PalaceA baroque palace of the early eighteenth century behind Hradčany square, holding4 minutes walk4.4
Golden LaneThe Golden Lane is a small street inside the walls of Prague Castle, its houses 4 minutes walk4.5
The Palace Gardens under Prague CastleBaroque stairways hung on the castle's south slope: five adjoining noble palace 4 minutes walk4.8You can stand in the front of the nave behind the barrier and see the columns and vaulting without a ticket, but the best parts — the Mucha window, the Wenceslas chapel, the silver tomb — are all beyond it and need the castle ticket.
If your knees are fine and tight spaces do not bother you, yes: the spiral stair is narrow and there is no lift, but the view over the river, the bridges and the Old Town repays it. Avoid it in peak summer heat.
Yes — it is a working cathedral and shuts to visitors during mass, particularly on Sunday mornings and major feast days. Check the official site before planning a Sunday.
The light is dim and flash is banned. Raise your ISO and brace against a column or railing rather than shooting handheld. The best natural light is between 10am and 2pm, when the sun cuts through the coloured glass.