Friday 4 May 2012

The Saint Vitus cathedral, the biggest church of Prague

On the second palace square in the Prague castle area, you find the majestic Saint Vitus cathedral. It attracts many people as you can see. The church on the exterior is decorated with so many arch, sculptures, carvings, statues, and paintings, that you don’t know from what to take pictures. I particularly liked the golden frame which hangs in front of a giant window. A is a pity that the church walls are a bit black due the pollution. I hope they will clean this up.

 Like in Leuven, the architect Matthias van Arras died during the construction works and the cathedral had to be completed by a new architects. The first work started in 1344 but it took about 600 years to complete the church. If you relate this to the construction of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona where they are going to complete the cathedral in 150 years, it is a different construction speed. We have to be fair in Prague they didn’t have the modern technology of the 21th century.

Op het tweede binnenplein van de Praagse Burcht staat de majestueuze Sint Vitus kathedraal. Deze trekt veel bezoekers aan zoals je op de foto’s kan waarnemen. De buitenkant van de kerk is zwaar bezet met booggewelven, beeldhouwwerken, snijwerk, standbeelden, en schilderijen, je weet niet waarvan eerst foto’s te nemen. Wat mijn aandacht het meest trok was een gouden hekwerk bevestigd voor een enorm raam. Het is spijtig dat de kerk wat zwart is door de luchtvervuiling maar ik hoop dat de stad hier een schoonmaak actie zal starten. 

Net zoals in Leuven stierf architect Matthias van Arras gedurende de bouwwerken van de kerk en moesten andere architecten zijn zware taak overnemen. De eerste steen werd gelegd in het jaar 1344 en het duurde dan nog 600 jaar om de kerk te voltooien. Als je dit vergelijkt met de bouw van de Sagrada Famillia in Barcelona waar de werken maar 150 jaar in beslag gaan nemen, is dit een enorm verschil in bouwsnelheid. We dienen echter eerlijk te zijn voor Praag, ze hadden niet dezelfde technologische middelen als in de huidige moderne wereld.. 

Saint Vitus cathedral

Saint Vitus cathedral

Saint Vitus cathedral

Saint Vitus cathedral

Saint Vitus cathedral

Saint Vitus cathedral

Saint Vitus cathedral

Saint Vitus cathedral

Saint Vitus cathedral

Saint Vitus cathedral

Saint Vitus cathedral

Saint Vitus cathedral

Saint Vitus cathedral

Previous Prague article: Hotel tip for business men and tourists in Prague, Corinthia Towers Hotel

Previous Church article: The second oldest church in Stuttgart , Leonhardskirche

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10 comments:

  1. Wow, this is quite something else, especially the next to last picture. I'm glad you told us how long it took to build it, that would have been my first question! You took some wonderful and amazing pictures! Saint Vitus was a Christian martyr who was persecuted by the Romans, and he is the patron saint of dancing!!! I thought that might be especially meaningful for YOU!

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  2. The people in your first photo appear so small in relation to the great height of such a lovely church. Thanks for the inside look as well!

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  3. How ornate! But, 600 years is a long time, even for the faithful.

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  4. You always captured many beautiful pictures of churches.

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  5. Groots, en ó zo mooi, Filip !
    Lie(f)s.

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  6. all details are so impressive, really breathtaking! happy long weekend...

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  7. These are great shots Filip, and that golden window framing. Pretty amazing sculptings too. Hard to imagine a building taking 600 years for completing, but these buildings like this are something that can never be replaced. I always am amazed when I think of all the history that has happened in these buildings.

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  8. heel mooi gepresenteerd
    have a great weekend
    anni

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  9. Een mooie serie zo, geeft een goede indruk.
    Groetjes, Mirthe

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  10. Kristel and Filip!
    I am charmed, delighted.
    Your blog is beautiful.
    I am glad that I was able to meet such wonderful blogger.
    I love to visit churches.
    I cordially greet.

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