For Czech Art and Architecture, we took a trip to Prague Castle to investigate the wonderful gothic and romanesque buildings there. I only took a few pictures because it was really, really cold that day and I didn't want to get frostbite on my camera-using fingers. Don't worry, Katie and I went back a few days later.
St. Vitus' Cathedral from the entrance to the castle. They started building it in 1344 and it was finished in the 1920s or 30s.
Entrance to the castle
Guards with only slightly ostentatious fur hats
St. George's Basilica--the inside and the back is romanesque but the front entrance was taken over by some baroque people who thought they knew everything and changed it. Bastards.
Romanesque tower. Note the rounded arch windows, no pointed arches here.
Tympanum (also without a pointed arch)
Somewhere along the way it was finished in early gothic style
Romanesque groin vaulting in the crypt. No ribs--how sad!
This altar is in honor of St. John of Nepomuk, who is actually no longer a saint. Back in the day, when the king went on vacation, he heard the queen's confession. When the king came back, he demanded that John tell him what his wife confessed. When he didn't, the king had him thrown off the Charles Bridge. Way later there was a campaign to make him a saint, which was successful; but then they found out that all the saintly things he did were lies and un-sainted him.
Probably not actually his bones.
Simon North and his backpack heading over to the cathedral.
Rose window
Side view of St. Vitus
Radiating chapels from the outside. They were designed by Matthew of Arras before he died. Peter Parler added all of the crazy gothic business after.
A preview of inside the cathedral. I had to stop taking pictures before I froze.
i love that you have a picture of simon north hahahaha
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