Plzen Cathedral
Exterior view of Plzen Cathedral. Photo
Michal Reichl.
Gothic lierne vault inside the cathedral. Photo
clarkworldtravel.
Apse with rood cross and painted vault. Photo
clarkworldtravel.
Statue of the Madonna. Photo © City of Plzen.
Dominating the center of the Plzen town square is the Gothic Cathedral of St. Bartholomew (katedrála sv. Bartoloměje).
History
Plzen Cathedral was built in 1292. In 1993 Pope John Paul II raised the status of Plzeň to a bishopric, making the Church of St. Bartholomew thereby became a cathedral.
What to See
The Cathedral of St. Bartholomew is small for a cathedral (since it was not intended to be one) but it has the tallest spire in the Czech Republic at 100m (333 ft). It can be climbed for a fine view of the city.
Inside, highlights include the Gothic lierne vault and the beautiful marble Madonna of 1390 on the main altar. The Šternberk Chapel, built during the first half of 16th century, is decorated with Renaissance wall paintings. It was restored from ruins during 20th century.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Plzen Cathedral |
| Dedicated to: | St. Bartholomew |
| Location: | Plzen, Czech Republic |
| Category: | Cathedrals |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 1292 |
| Architecture: | Gothic |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 49.747404° N, 13.377593° E (view on Google Maps) |
Travel Resources
- Plzen Map - our detailed interactive map of Plzen, plus hand-picked links to more
- Plzen Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- Plzen Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
- Plzen Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Plzen tourism
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Plzen Cathedral. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Plzen Map.
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Cathedral of St Bartholomew - Wikipedia
- St Bartholomew's Church - City of Plzen
- Virtual 360° Tour of St Bartholomew's Church - Virtual Travel
Article last updated: 07/22/2009.
