Cathedral of St. Wenceslas (Katedrála svatého Václava)
Olomoucký kraj
Saint Wenceslas Cathedral (Czech: Katedrála svatého Václava) is a neo-Gothic cathedral on Wenceslas Square in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Founded in 1107, it is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Olomouc. The church began as a Romanesque building and was consecrated in 1131, before undergoing extensive Gothic modifications in the 13th and 14th centuries. In the late 19th century, a major Gothic Revival campaign reshaped its appearance, including refacing the building, rebuilding the west front, and constructing the central tower. These works (1883–1892) were designed by Gustav Meretta and R. Völkel. Architecturally, the cathedral is defined by its three towers: two on the west front and a taller southern tower toward the rear. The southern tower rises to 100.65 metres, making it the tallest church tower in Moravia and the second tallest church tower in the Czech Republic. Beyond architecture, the cathedral’s immediate surroundings are tied to a pivotal moment in Bohemian history: King Wenceslaus III was murdered nearby in 1306. A further restoration took place in 2004–2007, helping preserve the cathedral’s landmark silhouette over Olomouc.
Naplánujte si cestu do země Česko s AI
Vytvořte si podrobný itinerář za pár minut. AI vám navrhne nejlepší místa, restaurace a optimalizovanou trasu.
Tip: If you are interested in architecture, look for the contrasts between the cathedral’s Romanesque origins, later medieval Gothic alterations, and the 19th-century Gothic Revival refacing and west-front rebuild. For a quieter experience and better exterior photos of the three-tower composition, visit outside peak times and walk around the building to view the tall southern tower from different angles.
Zajímavosti
- •The cathedral’s southern tower is 100.65 metres tall, making it the tallest church tower in Moravia and the second tallest church tower in the Czech Republic.
- •The cathedral was founded in 1107 and consecrated in 1131.
- •King Wenceslaus III of Bohemia was murdered nearby on 4 August 1306; he was the last male ruler of the Přemyslid dynasty.
- •Major Gothic Revival alterations were carried out in 1883–1892 to reface the building, rebuild the west front, and construct the central tower.
- •The cathedral was restored in 2004–2007.
Historie
The cathedral was founded in 1107 and consecrated in 1131, originally in the Romanesque style.
It was substantially modified in the Gothic style during the 13th and 14th centuries.
On 4 August 1306, King Wenceslaus III of Bohemia was murdered in a nearby house of the former dean of the cathedral.
In 1883–1892, Gothic Revival works designed by Gustav Meretta and R.
Völkel refaced the building, rebuilt the west front, and added the central tower.
The cathedral underwent a modern restoration in 2004–2007.
Průvodce po místě
Wenceslas Square setting
Approach the cathedral via Wenceslas Square to appreciate its role as a dominant landmark in Olomouc and its dedication to Saint Wenceslaus.
West front and twin front towers1883–1892
The west front is framed by two towers and reflects the cathedral’s Gothic Revival reshaping in the late 19th century.
Central tower (Gothic Revival)1883–1892
Look for the central tower added during the 19th-century Gothic Revival works, which contributed to the cathedral’s neo-Gothic profile.
Southern tower (rear)
Walk around to the rear to see the southern tower, whose height makes it a standout feature among Czech church towers.
Layers of style: Romanesque origins and Gothic modifications12th–14th centuries
As you explore the building, keep in mind its long evolution-from a Romanesque church consecrated in 1131 to extensive Gothic modifications in the 13th and 14th centuries, later unified by neo-Gothic refacing.
Kontakt
Telefon: 733 742 800