St Vitus Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece and the largest and most important church in Prague. It is located within the Prague Castle complex and contains the tombs of many Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors. The cathedral is also the seat of the Archbishop of Prague and the place where the Czech crown jewels are kept.
The cathedral is open to visitors every day except for Sundays and religious holidays. The opening hours vary depending on the season, but generally they are from 9:00 to 17:00 (April to October) or from 9:00 to 16:00 (November to March). The admission fee is 350 CZK for adults, 175 CZK for students and seniors, and free for children under 10. The ticket includes access to the cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St George’s Basilica, Golden Lane, and Daliborka Tower.
To get to the cathedral, you can take the tram number 22 or 23 to Pražský hrad (Prague Castle) stop, or the metro line A to Malostranská station and then walk for about 15 minutes uphill. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or a guided tour that includes transportation.
Some tips for visiting the cathedral are:
- Book your ticket online in advance to avoid long queues at the entrance.
- Dress appropriately and respectfully, as this is a place of worship.
- Respect the silence and do not use flash photography or video recording inside the cathedral.
- Explore the stunning stained glass windows, especially the one by Alfons Mucha in the north nave.
- Climb up the 287 steps of the Great South Tower for a panoramic view of Prague (additional fee of 150 CZK).
- Visit the Treasury of St Vitus Cathedral, where you can see precious relics, liturgical objects, and artworks (additional fee of 300 CZK).
Some prohibitions for visiting the cathedral are:
- Do not bring large bags, backpacks, or umbrellas inside the cathedral. You can leave them at the cloakroom near the entrance.
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke inside or near the cathedral.
- Do not touch any of the artworks or monuments inside the cathedral.
- Do not enter any areas that are marked as restricted or closed to visitors.
Some of the highlights of what to see inside the cathedral are:
- The main altar with a silver reliquary containing the remains of St Vitus, the patron saint of Prague.
- The Chapel of St Wenceslas, where you can see the coronation chamber and the door to the Crown Chamber, where the crown jewels are stored.
- The Royal Crypt, where you can see the tombs of Charles IV, Wenceslas IV, Rudolf II, and other rulers.
- The Royal Oratory, where you can see the original throne of Charles IV and a painting of the Last Judgment by Master Theodoric.
- The New Royal Mausoleum, where you can see the tombs of Ferdinand I, Maximilian II, Rudolf II, and other Habsburgs.
