The story of this place
Charles IV laid the foundation stone in 1344 and summoned the French master Matthias of Arras, then the young Peter Parler, who carved the delicate net vaults still admired today. Yet Hussite wars and shortages left the nave a stump for centuries; the cathedral was only completed in 1929, nearly six hundred years after it began. Inside, the tomb of St Wenceslas glitters with 1,300 semi-precious stones, and the Bohemian crown jewels rest behind a door with seven locks whose keys are held by seven officials. Alfons Mucha designed one of the stained-glass windows in glowing Art Nouveau. Kings were crowned and buried beneath its soaring vaults.