Prague St Vitus’ Cathedral, Royal Oratory

Hans Spiess, Benedikt Ried, Commissioned by Vladislav II Jagiello, 1490-1493
© Adminstration of Prague Castel. Photo: Jan Gloc

The cathedral’s royal oratory functioned as an important symbol of royal power and was erected by Vladislav II who continued the building activities of Charles IV. A vaulted gallery/walkway in the first floor connected it with the private royal apartments in the old royal palace. The oratory, situated in the second southern chapel of the ambulatory of the cathedral, is dominated by heraldic decoration and decorative elements like arboreal ribs (i.e. ribs that imitate tree branches). The architect was Hans Spiess and the vault with pendent keystone was designed by Benedikt Ried.
Antonín Kalous