From silent films to Hollywood: St. Vitus Cathedral shines on the silver screen for almost a century
St. Vitus Cathedral, the dominant feature of Prague Castle, is known as the site of coronations, state funerals and major religious ceremonies. For nearly a century, however, it has also attracted filmmakers.
Perhaps the most famous Prague landmark, Prague Castle together with St. Vitus Cathedral has appeared in film since the very beginnings of Czech cinematography, and it is no surprise since only a few buildings can, in just a few seconds, evoke Czech history, faith, power, and statehood.
The cathedral already appeared in the silent drama Varhaník u sv. Víta (The Organist of St. Vitus) directed by the famous Czech filmmaker Martin Frič in 1929. The film tells the story of an old organist, played by the legendary Czech songwriter, actor and director Karel Hašler. Right at the beginning of the film, a shot of the cathedral appears over the panorama of Prague, accompanied by a poetic intertitle:
However, the monumental cathedral did not star only in poetic stories. Directors also used it when they wanted to emphasize important moments in Czech history. This is clearly visible, for example, in the film Atentát about Operation Anthropoid, or in the opening shots of the Czech series Kamarádi, where it immediately anchors the story in a Czech setting.
How St. Vitus Cathedral became Paris’s Notre-Dame
The cathedral also attracted foreign filmmakers. In 2001, it appeared in the film A Knight’s Tale with Heath Ledger, although its identity was slightly concealed. To recognize it, viewers really need a sharp eye, because although the façade of the Prague cathedral was filmed, in the movie the main character is supposed to be in Paris in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
In 2006, St. Vitus Cathedral also appeared in the Danish film Prag with Mads Mikkelsen. This time, however, it is no longer a backdrop for major historical turning points, but part of a melancholic portrait of a contemporary city. Here, Prague becomes a place of memories, the search for one’s identity, and painful personal decisions.
Few Czech buildings are as photogenic. Its Gothic towers, monumental interiors, and exceptional position above the city continue to attract filmmakers to this day. Thanks to this, Prague Castle has also appeared in a number of other international productions. And although the camera often captures mainly the courtyards or just the panorama of Hradčany, the silhouette of the cathedral is usually one of the most distinctive landmarks of Prague.
