Distributed for Karolinum Press, Charles University
St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle
St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle is one of the symbols of the Czech statehood; it is the coronation and burial site of Bohemian kings and to this day is a leading Christian cathedral, a residence of archbishops, the venue for state ceremonies and, last but not least, a much sought-after tourist attraction.
St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, the first English-language book on this iconic structure, presents the cathedral’s history, inseparably linked to the history of the Czech lands. The authors present the circumstances of the cathedral’s foundating by Charles IV in the fourteenth century and the progression of the construction, including later alterations and additions. The book focuses particularly on a detailed description of the sculpted and artistic decoration and significant monuments including St Wenceslaus’ Chapel and the burial site of Bohemian kings. The text, set in the broader context of the developments of European architecture, is richly illustrated with contemporary photographs, historical images, reconstructions, and plans.
St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, the first English-language book on this iconic structure, presents the cathedral’s history, inseparably linked to the history of the Czech lands. The authors present the circumstances of the cathedral’s foundating by Charles IV in the fourteenth century and the progression of the construction, including later alterations and additions. The book focuses particularly on a detailed description of the sculpted and artistic decoration and significant monuments including St Wenceslaus’ Chapel and the burial site of Bohemian kings. The text, set in the broader context of the developments of European architecture, is richly illustrated with contemporary photographs, historical images, reconstructions, and plans.
550 pages | 315 color plates, 25 halftones | 8 x 11 | © 2016
Architecture: Architecture--Criticism
History: European History
Table of Contents
Introduction
1/ The Rotunda of Saint Wenceslas and its History until the Beginning of the Basilica Built by Duke Spytihněv
2/ Spytihněv’s Basilica and its History until the Beginning of the Construction of Gothic Cathedral
3/ Founding the Gothic Cathedral and its Growth to the Hussite Wars
4/ The Construction of the Gothic Cathedral under Mathias of Arras, Peter Parler and his Succesors
5/ Prague Cathedral in Gothic Architectural Drawing
6/ Sculpture in St. Vitus’s Cathedral up to the End of the Hussite Wars
7/ Fine Art and other Treasures of St. Vitus’s Cathedral from the Luxembourg Era
8/ Altars in St. Vitus’s Cathedral in the Luxembourg Period
9/ The Conceptual Programme of Prague Cathedral
10/ The Influence of Prague Cathedral Lodge
11/ St. Vitus Cathedral from the Hussite Wars until the End of the Reign of the House of Jagiełłon
12/ The Late Gothic Decoration and Equipment of St. Vitus’s Cathedral
13/ Cathedral at the Time of the Renaissance
14/ The Cathedral during the Baroque Period
15/ Renovation and Completion of the Cathedral in the 19th and 20th Centuries
16/ Works of Art in the Cathedral from the Time of its Restoration and Completion during the 19th and 20th Centuries
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
Ground plan of the St. Vitus’s cathedral – location of the chapels and artworks
Important events in the history of St. Vitus’s cathedral
Coronations of the Bohemian kings and queens in the church of St. Vitus at Prague castle
Burials of Bohemian dukes and kings and their wives and other members of the ruling houses in the church of St. Vitus
Bishops and archbishops
Bibliography
List of Figures
Index
1/ The Rotunda of Saint Wenceslas and its History until the Beginning of the Basilica Built by Duke Spytihněv
2/ Spytihněv’s Basilica and its History until the Beginning of the Construction of Gothic Cathedral
3/ Founding the Gothic Cathedral and its Growth to the Hussite Wars
4/ The Construction of the Gothic Cathedral under Mathias of Arras, Peter Parler and his Succesors
5/ Prague Cathedral in Gothic Architectural Drawing
6/ Sculpture in St. Vitus’s Cathedral up to the End of the Hussite Wars
7/ Fine Art and other Treasures of St. Vitus’s Cathedral from the Luxembourg Era
8/ Altars in St. Vitus’s Cathedral in the Luxembourg Period
9/ The Conceptual Programme of Prague Cathedral
10/ The Influence of Prague Cathedral Lodge
11/ St. Vitus Cathedral from the Hussite Wars until the End of the Reign of the House of Jagiełłon
12/ The Late Gothic Decoration and Equipment of St. Vitus’s Cathedral
13/ Cathedral at the Time of the Renaissance
14/ The Cathedral during the Baroque Period
15/ Renovation and Completion of the Cathedral in the 19th and 20th Centuries
16/ Works of Art in the Cathedral from the Time of its Restoration and Completion during the 19th and 20th Centuries
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
Ground plan of the St. Vitus’s cathedral – location of the chapels and artworks
Important events in the history of St. Vitus’s cathedral
Coronations of the Bohemian kings and queens in the church of St. Vitus at Prague castle
Burials of Bohemian dukes and kings and their wives and other members of the ruling houses in the church of St. Vitus
Bishops and archbishops
Bibliography
List of Figures
Index