Saint Wenceslas Cathedral

Saint Wenceslas Cathedral (Czech: Katedrála svatého Václava) is a gothic cathedral at Wenceslas Square in Olomouc, in the Czech Republic, founded in 1107. The square was named after Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia on the thousandth anniversary of his death in 935. The cathedral is also named after him.

Cathedral of St Wenceslas
Katedrála svatého Václava
Cathedral of St Wenceslas Location in Czech Republic
49°35′52″N 17°15′45″E
Location	Olomouc
Country	Czech Republic
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	Website of the Cathedral
History
Status	Active
Founded	1107
Dedication	St Wenceslaus
Consecrated	30 June 1131
Architecture
Functional status	Cathedral
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic
Specifications
Number of spires	3
Administration
Diocese	Olomouc
Clergy
Archbishop	Jan Graubner
Rector	Ladislav Švirák

The cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Olomouc.

History

The cathedral before the 1880s reconstruction campaign

The cathedral began in the Romanesque style and was consecrated in 1131. Extensive Gothic modifications were made in 13th and 14th century.

Bohemian king Wenceslaus III of Bohemia was murdered in a nearby house of the former dean of the cathedral on 4 August 1306. Wenceslaus III was the last of the male Přemyslid rulers of Bohemia.

Gothic revival changes, which included refacing the building, rebuilding the west front and the construction of the central tower, were made during 1883–1892. These were designed by Gustav Meretta and R. Völkel.

The cathedral was restored in 2004–2007.

Architecture

The cathedral is formed by three towers. The front two form the front, while the third one in the back, the southern tower, is with its 100.65 metres (330.2 ft) height the tallest church tower in Moravia, and the second tallest church tower in the Czech Republic.

External links

• Description and history of the cathedral