Monday, May 30, 2016

Plzeň

Plzeň is a city in western Bohemia in the Czech Republic, about 90 kilometres west of Prague. It is the fourth most populous city in the country.

© Ivan Rillich
The structure that really dominates Plzeň is the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew. Its building started together with foundation of the city and it was completed at the beginning of the 16th century. The cathedral is a national monument as well as housing the argillite statue on the main altar - the famous Plzeň Madonna. The statue represents the so-called “Beautiful style“ of the Gothic period. The Cathedral boasts as having the tallest church spire in the Czech Republic (102,6 m). From its galleries you can see the entire city and its surroundings from the height of 60 metres. The Šternberk Chapel with the overhanging roof bolt dates from the 1st half of the 16th century. In 1993, Pope John Paul IInd established the Bishopric in Plzeň and St. Bartholomew became the cathedral. The statuary on the outer eastern side of the cathedral shows Christ on the Mount of Olives protected by a number of little angels, one of which will fulfil your secret wish according to the legend.

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