Peter Parler

Peter Parler
Self-portrait in St. Vitus Cathedral, circa 1370-1379.
Born	c. 1330 Schwäbisch Gmünd, Holy Roman Empire, in present-day Germany
Died	13 July 1399(1399-07-13) (aged 68–69) Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia, in present-day Czech Republic
Nationality	German, Bohemian
Known for	Architecture, sculpture
Notable work	St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, Frauenkirche in Nuremberg
Movement	Gothic

Peter Parler (Latin: Petrus de Gemunden in Suevia, Czech: Petr Parléř, (c. 1330, Schwäbisch Gmünd – July 13, 1399, Prague) was a German-Bohemian architect, best known for building Saint Vitus Cathedral and Charles Bridge in Prague, where he lived from about 1356.

His father, master builder Heinrich Parler (the name deriving from "parlerius", speaker and head of the masons), had moved to Schwäbisch Gmünd from Cologne, to lead the reconstruction works of the Holy Cross parish church. Members of the large Parler family worked in construction works around all of Europe.

Peter Parler became the master mason of Saint Vitus Cathedral in 1352, after the death of its original architect, Matthias of Arras. Apart from the cathedral, he was the main designer of the New Town of Prague and built Charles Bridge and its towers. In the Royal Palace of Prague Castle, Parler built the All Saints' Chapel. After the fire of 1541 it was redecorated in the Baroque style. He was a Master sculptor, he designed the gargoles of St Vitus Cathedral! Giving ornamentation to the original Design by Mathias Arras He was apparently the architect of the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) built in the market square of Nuremberg, to replace the synagogue torn down in the pogrom of 1349 following the plague. Between 1360-78 Parler built the chancel of the St. Bartholomew church in Kolín. He died in Prague in 1399, and was buried in the St Vitus Cathedral. His work was continued by his sons Wenzel and Johann.