Welcome to the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew, a striking Gothic church located right on the Main Square in Plzeň, Czech Republic. Established around 1295 alongside the founding of the city, this remarkable structure features an unusually prominent marketplace location rather than being tucked away by the city ramparts.
As you approach, you will instantly notice its soaring 103-meter northern tower—the tallest church tower in the entire Czech Republic—constructed from local hewn sandstone blocks. Inside this hall church, three naves are crowned by intricate 15th-century net vaults resting on circular supports. Take time to explore the historic Sternberg Chapel on the southern side of the presbytery, built in the 1470s and 1480s as a family funerary chapel featuring detailed decorations and an ante-room entry.
You will also see beautiful side portals, pointed Gothic windows with varied traceries, and a prominent western frontage adorned with crockets and statues. Designated a national cultural monument in 1995, the cathedral offers a fascinating look into centuries of Czech history, surviving major fires, windstorms, and careful purist restorations. Whether admiring its exterior details or stepping inside its expansive interior, it is an essential stop on your Plzeň journey.
What to see at Cathedral of St. Bartholomew
- Marvel at the 103-meter northern tower, the tallest church tower in the Czech Republic.
- Explore the 15th-century Sternberg Chapel, built as a funerary chapel for the Sternberg family.
- Admire the interior net vaults resting on circular supports added after 1476.
- Examine the detailed Gothic side portals and decorative 15th- and 16th-century ante-rooms.
- Observe the hewn sandstone exterior set directly on Plzeň's central Main Square.
Visiting tips
Look closely at the southern ante-room's corner pinnacle to spot a bottom effigy believed to be a self-portrait of builder Hans Spiess.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Cathedral of St. Bartholomew is easy to reach on Plzeň’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Plzeň travel guide.
See the full Plzeň travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.