Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Hradec Králové
| Cathedral of The Holy Spirit | |
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| Katedrála svatého Ducha | |
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 Cathedral of The Holy Spirit
Location in Czech Republic
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| 50°12′32″N 15°49′51″E / 50.20875°N 15.83094°ECoordinates: 50°12′32″N 15°49′51″E / 50.20875°N 15.83094°E | |
| Location | Hradec Králové |
| Country | Czech Republic |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Founded | 1307 |
| Founder(s) | Elizabeth Richeza of Poland |
| Dedication | Holy Spirit |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Active |
| Functional status | Cathedral and Parish church |
| Style | Gothic |
| Completed | 1463 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Hradec Králové |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Jan Vokál |
| Archdeacon | František Hladký |
The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit is a principal church of the Diocese of Hradec Králové in the Czech Republic and also the seat of the current bishop of the Diocese Jan Vokál. It is a late Gothic brick basilica with two towers, which is located in the southwestern corner of the Great Square in Hradec Králové.
The founding charter of the construction of the church is not preserved, so there is a space for a wide range of theories, when the construction of the church really began. The history of the cathedral is traditionally described as inciated by Elizabeth Richeza of Poland, wife of king Wenceslas II and later king Rudolf of Habsburg in 1307. Elizabeth received dowry towns including Hradec Kralove after Rudolph´s death in 1307. Elizabeth chose Hradec Kralove as her residence town between 1308 and 1318. And for this reason the beginning of the church is connected with her name.
The historical centre of the city was recognized as Slavonic settlement in the 10th century, which was rebuilt into a royal castle. Before the year 1225 the settlement turned into a full-fledged medieval town. The first parish church of this city was St. Clement's Church, which stood on the site of today's baroque chapel of St. Clement. The first indirect mention of the Holy Spirit Cathedral dates back to 1238 when Teutonic Knights settled outside of the city walls. They had decided to build their own parish church between 1238 and 1250, it was built on the place of today's Holy Spirit Cathedral. However, its appearance is not known. There are no mentions of building plans or description of this church. The city suffered extensive fire in 1339, that destroyed the town to the ground, including the parish church of the Teutonic Knights. The construction of the new church became essential.
The project of a new parish church counted with three nave basilica, two towers at the corners of the presbytery and external supporting system. But construction of the church was unexpectedly divided into several phases, for example because of the many fires that damaged the emerging church.
The first period of construction took place between 1339 and 1342, during this time was built the presbytery for serving church purposes. At this stage were also constructed two towers at the corners of the presbytery, piscinium and sanctuary.
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Wikipedia