New Organ Installation at Prague Cathedral Nears Completion
UPDATE: The installation of a magnificent new organ at Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral is rapidly approaching completion, promising to enrich the soundscape of the Czech Republic’s largest temple. An international team is currently working on a three-story scaffolding above the main entrance, diligently placing the final pipes in position. This work is slated for completion by late August 2024, with voicing and tuning expected to continue through the end of the year.
The excitement builds as officials announce that the public could hear the organ’s first sounds on June 15, 2025, coinciding with the feast of St. Vitus. This historic instrument features an impressive 6,000 pipes, varying in length from 0.28 inches to 23 feet, making it a monumental addition to the cathedral.
Constructed by the renowned organ builder Gerhard Grenzing in El Papiol, Spain, this four-manual organ will replace the previous one, which was completed in the early 1930s but was too small and frequently malfunctioned. The original organ fell into disrepair during World War II and over 40 years of communist rule, leaving a significant gap in the cathedral’s musical heritage.
The initiative to build the new organ began in 2017, fueled by a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised over 109 million Czech koruna (approximately $5.2 million), covering nearly 98 percent of the total cost. This collective effort reflects the deep connection the Czech people have with the cathedral, a site of coronation and burials for Czech kings, and the resting place of the Czech crown jewels.
The cathedral is not only an architectural marvel but also a symbol of Czech statehood, having hosted significant events, including the funeral Mass for Václav Havel, the country’s first president, on December 23, 2011. As the finishing touches are applied to this remarkable organ, anticipation grows for a new chapter in the cathedral’s storied history.
Stay tuned for more updates as this monumental project nears completion and prepares to resonate through the hallowed halls of St. Vitus Cathedral.
