Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (Czech Republic) facts for kids

The Cathedral of St. Ducha (which means Holy Spirit) is a big Catholic church called a cathedral. You can find it in Hradec Králové, a city in the Czech Republic. It was built way back in 1307! A queen named Eliška Rejčka wanted it built because the old church, St. Klement, wasn't big enough for everyone.

Over the years, the cathedral was damaged by fire and had to be rebuilt many times, especially between the 1300s and 1500s. In the 1600s, during a war, Swedish soldiers took valuable things from the church. Then, in 1664, Pope Alexander VII gave it a special blessing, making it an official cathedral. It was last repaired after World War II, making sure it stays beautiful for visitors today.

Inside the Cathedral

When you step inside the Cathedral of St. Ducha, you'll see many interesting things.

Altars and Art

The cathedral has an old altar from the late 1400s, built in the Gothic style. There's also a newer baroque altar from the 1600s. You can see a portrait of St. Antoním painted by Petr Brandla. Look for the special container called a pastoforium, made by Matej Rejsem, and the pulpit (where sermons are given) by Josef Myslbek.

Secret Crypts

Underneath the cathedral, there are three hidden rooms called crypts. These are like underground burial chambers. There's a famous legend about one of them. People say that Jan Žižka z Trocnova, a very famous Czech army leader from long ago, was secretly buried there for a short time.

The Bells in the Towers

In the tall towers of the cathedral, there are four large bells. Each bell has its own name: Leopold, Klement, Václav, and Michal. They ring out across the city.

Visiting and Services

The Cathedral of St. Ducha is an active church, and services are held there every day.

Service Schedule

• On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, services begin at 6:30 PM.
• On Sunday, there are three services: at 6:30 AM, 9:30 AM, and 11:00 AM.
• There's a special service just for children on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM.

You can usually visit the inside of the cathedral during these worship times.

Images for kids

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  Cathedral of Holy Spirit, White Tower and old Town Hall

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  Cathedral of Holy Spirit

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  Cathedral of Holy Spirit – entrance

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  Interior of Cathedral, presbytery

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  Aerial view of the Cathedral