Page 29 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

THE HIST OR Y OF PR A GUE  27

St Vitus by Master Theodoric
This is one of a series of paintings Where to See Gothic
of saints by the great Bohemian Prague
artist for the Holy Rood Chapel at
Karlštejn Castle (c.1365). Prague’s rich Gothic legacy includes
three of its best-known sights –
St Vitus’s Cathedral (see pp102–105),
Charles Bridge (see pp136–9) and
the Old-New Synagogue (see pp90–
91). Another very important build-
ing from Charles IV’s reign is the
Carolinum (see p67). The Church
of Our Lady before Týn (see p72)
has also retained most of its
original Gothic features and
A jewelled is worth visiting.
reliquary
cross was
made to house
the new relic.
University Seal, 1348
The seal depicts the Emperor offering the
foundation documents to St Wenceslas.

Carolinum This fine oriel window was
part of the university (see p67).

Building the New Town
This manuscript records Charles IV
supervising the building of the New
Town during the 14th century.
Charles IV and his Relics
Charles collected holy relics from all over
the Empire. In about 1357, he received a Old Town Bridge Tower
part of Christ’s cross from the Dauphin. The sculptural decoration is by
This mural in Karlštejn Castle is thought Peter Parler (see p139).
to be the best likeness of the Emperor.

Sculpture of young
Wenceslas IV by Peter Parler
in St Vitus’s Cathedral 1378 Reign of Bethlehem
1357 Charles Wenceslas IV begins Chapel
Bridge begun
1350 1365 1380 1395

1348 Charles IV 1391 Bethlehem
founds Prague 1361 Wenceslas IV born, Chapel founded
New Town oldest son of Charles
1378 Charles dies

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