Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul in Brno
Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul is one of the dominants of the city of Brno. It is visible from a distance, no matter which direction you come to the city from. This is due to its location on Petrovsky Hill and also its power and grandeur. At least the outlines of the cathedral have certainly been seen by everyone who held a Czech ten-crown coin, of which it is a symbol.
Information for visitors
Interesting facts Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul in Brno
The history of this beautiful building dates back to the 1170s, when a church was built on this hill in the center of the settlement. This original small church was rebuilt several times during the Gothic period, but even so, it was soon replaced by a larger one, as its importance gradually grew and he ceased to suffice. The church was first promoted in this way in 1296, when it became the seat of the collegiate chapter, which is a corps of diocesan priests who, among other things, take care of ceremonial services. In the next few centuries, the church underwent reconstructions, for example in the Baroque period, which is still evident in its interior.
An important event occurred in 1777, when Pope Pius VI. established a bishopric and the church of St. Peter and Paul was promoted to cathedral. The cathedral is the name for the Episcopal Church and the main temple of the diocese. The current neo-Gothic appearance of the cathedral and also the two-tower, without which no one can imagine it today, comes from the last building modifications from the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.
Both the beautiful and decorative exterior and the interior deserve admiration. The Romanesque-Gothic crypt is accessible, which shows the foundations of the church from the 12th century and younger reconstructions. It also hosts occasional exhibitions or other cultural events. You can also see a permanent exhibition in the jewel of the cathedral, where you can see religious textiles, chalices and other treasures that used to be hidden in the depository.
An amazing view of Brno from a height can be found from the viewpoint in the Petrov Tower. You will have the whole center in the palm of your hand and also a wide area, such as the Pálava Hills. A total of 130 steps lead upstairs and before you climb them you can enjoy the view of the beautiful Chapel of the Annunciation and its Renaissance altar made of ebony wood.
Of interest is the ringing of bells on Petrov, which rings every day at noon at eleven o'clock. This is based on the legend of the Thirty Years' War, when Brno, as the only city in Moravia, managed to defend itself against Swedish troops. After three and a half months of siege, General Torstenson was to declare that he could conquer the city before Peter was beaten at noon. So the commander of the defenders, Louis Raduit de Souches, used tricks and set the bell to ring an hour earlier at noon. The Swedes had no choice but to withdraw with the unacquired one.
The cathedral is surrounded by Baroque canonical houses used for the needs of the diocese. The south side of the hill is decorated with Denisovy sady and observation terraces.
Every interesting detail of this cathedral is worth seeing and as a whole you will be really captivated.
Author: Martina Limbergová