New Organ Set to Revitalize Historic St. Vitus Cathedral

The historic St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague is poised to receive a remarkable upgrade with the nearing completion of a new organ, which will enhance its musical presence during religious services and concerts. This installation is a significant step in revitalizing the Czech Republic’s largest temple, which has stood for over 700 years.

A dedicated international team has been working on scaffolding above the cathedral’s main entrance to finalize the installation of the remaining pipes. This work is expected to conclude by the end of August 2024, followed by the voicing and tuning of approximately 6,000 pipes, a process that will take place through the end of the year. The organ will make its debut with its first sounds on June 15, 2025, coinciding with the feast of St. Vitus, according to cathedral officials.

The new organ, featuring pipes that range in length from 0.28 inches to an impressive 23 feet, is a four-manual instrument built in the workshop of renowned organ maker Gerhard Grenzing in El Papiol, Spain. Grenzing is celebrated for constructing nearly 140 organs and restoring over 90 historical instruments across various countries. Once completed in Spain, the organ was disassembled and transported to Prague via trucks, ensuring that this intricate piece of craftsmanship would find its new home in the iconic cathedral.

St. Vitus Cathedral is not only an architectural marvel but also a site of great national significance. It has been the coronation and burial place for Czech kings, and is home to the Czech crown jewels. The cathedral also hosted the funeral Mass for Vaclav Havel, the first president of the Czech Republic, on December 23, 2011.

The previous organ in the cathedral, completed in the early 1930s, proved inadequate for such a monumental space. It often malfunctioned and fell into disrepair, particularly during World War II and the subsequent four decades of communist rule in the country. The initiative to construct a new organ began in 2017, propelled by a crowdfunding campaign that successfully raised over 109 million Czech koruna (approximately $5.2 million), covering about 98 percent of the total cost.

As the installation progresses, the excitement surrounding the new organ at St. Vitus Cathedral builds. This enhancement is set to not only enrich the cathedral’s musical offerings but also continue its legacy as a central cultural and religious hub in the Czech Republic.