Since I’ve gotten on the topic of beautiful churches, it’s natural to turn next to St. Vitus Cathedral up in the Royal Compound. Like all of the tourist attractions in Prague when we were there, it was, well, full of tourists. Despite which, the soaring nave was awesome and stunning.

Outside of the space as a whole, I most loved the stained glass windows. Many an ancient European stained glass window was lost in the bombings of World War II, so it was particularly gratifying to see many of St. Vitus’s windows intact.

St. Vitus Cathedral also contains the tomb of King Wenceslas I of Bohemia, a.k.a. “Good King Wenceslas” of Christmas carol fame. In fact, he was a Duke, not a King, but was posthumously elevated to kinghood. Son of Vratislas I, Wenceslas ascended the throne in A.D. 925 at the age of eighteen and was the founder of the cathedral dedicated to St. Vitus. He was murdered by his brother Boleslav the Cruel in A.D. 935 at the age of 28. Wenceslas had a reputation for princely character and strength exceeded only by his piety. He was elevated to sainthood shortly after his death.

The chapel containing his tomb is beautiful.