06-JUL-2006
Exterior view from the north
06-JUL-2006
Exterior view from the north
06-JUL-2006
Exterior view from the north
04-JUL-2006
The flying buttresses
A rather interesting feature of Gothic cathedrals. To make the great stained-glass windows possible, the walls are thin and simply not strong enough to support the roof. Instead, the load from the roof is taken up by the flying buttresses that slope down outside the walls. The buttresses end in small towers that lead the forces down to the ground.
04-JUL-2006
A stained-glass window
They look rather more impressive from the inside, of course!
04-JUL-2006
View from the Third Courtyard
The cathedral is huge, but is nestled in quite cramped surroundings. Not quite as bad as the Tưn, but bad enough! It is difficult to get a good overview of the thing, but the view from the courtyard gives a decent impression. You do need an ultra-wide lens to get it all inside the photo, though.
04-JUL-2006
The "Golden Gate"
This highly decorated gateway opens up to the St George Square.
04-JUL-2006
The "Golden Gate" detail
Yup, it's real gold in that mosaic.
06-JUL-2006
The Great Tower
The Great Tower of the cathedral is open to the (not too fat and out of shape) tourist, and gives an impressive view of the city in good weather. It's just a small matter of climbing a 300-step staircase to get there!
06-JUL-2006
View from the Third Courtyard
It is very tight quarters here, making it almost impossible to appreciate the cathedral. Walk into the very corner of the courtyard and it is doable, though.
06-JUL-2006
View of the Golden Gate
The eastern face of the cathedral opens to the St George square. The man himself is busy killing a dragon or something, up on his plinth.
06-JUL-2006
Reaching for the heavens
The strong vertical emphasis in Gothic architecture is all too evident here.
04-JUL-2006
The main gate
The main gate, where you will enter the cathedral as a tourist, opens to the west. You get there through the Second Courtyard.
04-JUL-2006
View from the Second Courtyard
Medieval cathedrals often appear soot-black due to air pollution. Obviously St Vitus does not have this problem - but neither is it quite medieval, strictly speaking, even though building started as early as 1344. This end of it was actually finished after WWII!
06-JUL-2006
Tall building, short people
06-JUL-2006
One of the stained-glass windows
This one was designed by none less than Alfons Mucha, the renowned artist, in 1931.
06-JUL-2006
Windows high in the eastern wall
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The big rose window on the west wall
06-JUL-2006
The tomb of St John Nepomuk. Two tonnes of silver!
06-JUL-2006
Tomb of St Nepomuk, detail
06-JUL-2006
Tomb of St Nepomuk, detail
06-JUL-2006
Tomb of St Nepomuk, detail
06-JUL-2006
Tomb of St Nepomuk, detail
06-JUL-2006
Looking towards the Nepomuk tomb
06-JUL-2006
Statue beside the entrance to the side tower
06-JUL-2006
Statue hanging on the wall
06-JUL-2006
Statue hanging on the wall
06-JUL-2006
Statue hanging on the wall
06-JUL-2006
Statue hanging on the wall
06-JUL-2006
Looking toward the Nepomuk tomb
06-JUL-2006
Statue hanging on the wall
06-JUL-2006
Now that's what I call a pulpit!
06-JUL-2006
Looking down toward the cathedral entrance
06-JUL-2006
Statue hanging on the wall
06-JUL-2006
View from the tower, towards towers flanking the main entrance
06-JUL-2006
View from the tower, towards towers flanking the main entrance
06-JUL-2006
View from the tower, facing north
06-JUL-2006
Detail of the central spire
06-JUL-2006
Wiew from the tower, facing north
06-JUL-2006
View from the tower, looking east past the flying buttresses