UPDATE: A monumental transformation is underway at Prague’s iconic St. Vitus Cathedral as the installation of a spectacular new organ is nearing completion. This state-of-the-art instrument will provide a powerful voice to the 700-year-old cathedral, the largest temple in the Czech Republic, during religious services and concerts.
As of Tuesday, an international team of craftsmen was busy working on three-story scaffolding inside the cathedral, positioned just above the main entrance, to finalize the installation of the remaining pipes. This urgent project is set to conclude by late August, paving the way for voicing and tuning to take place throughout the remainder of the year. The public is expected to hear the organ’s inaugural sounds on June 15, 2024, coinciding with the feast of St. Vitus, according to cathedral officials.
This new organ is an engineering marvel, featuring an impressive 6,000 pipes that range in length from just 0.28 inches to a soaring 23 feet. Constructed by the renowned organ builder Gerhard Grenzing in El Papiol, Spain, this four-manual instrument represents a significant investment in the cultural and historical heritage of the Czech Republic, with a crowdfunding campaign raising over 109 million Czech koruna (approximately $5.2 million), covering about 98% of the total cost.
The cathedral is steeped in history, serving as a site for the coronation and burial of Czech kings, and is home to the nation’s crown jewels. It was also here that the funeral Mass for Vaclav Havel, the first president of the Czech Republic, was held on December 23, 2011.
The previous organ, completed in the early 1930s, proved inadequate for the cathedral’s vast space and suffered frequent breakdowns. Interest in repairing the instrument waned during World War II and the decades of communist rule that followed. The push for a new organ began in 2017, marking a renewed commitment to preserving the cultural legacy of this historic site.
As the final touches are applied, anticipation builds for the day when the majestic sounds of the new organ will fill the cathedral’s hallowed halls. This project not only enhances the spiritual and cultural life of Prague but also stands as a testament to the community’s dedication to restoring and celebrating their historical landmarks.
Stay tuned for updates as the installation progresses, and prepare for the first notes of this extraordinary instrument to echo in the heart of Prague next summer.
