Ancient Prague cathedral is given a modern audio installation
Prague's St. Vitus Cathedral Gets a New Grand Organ
After years of anticipation, Prague's St. Vitus Cathedral is on the cusp of acquiring a grand organ that will fill its monumental space with beautiful music. The new organ, built by renowned German organ builder Gerhard Grenzing, is nearing completion and is expected to be fully installed by late August 2025.
The organ, which contains approximately 6,000 pipes ranging in length from 7 millimeters to 7 meters, was constructed in a workshop in El Papiol near Barcelona, Spain. The physical assembly of the instrument inside the cathedral began in April 2025.
The cathedral's previous organ, completed in the early 1930s, was too small for the cathedral's grandeur and frequently malfunctioned. This new organ, with its four manuals (keyboards), will provide a fitting musical voice for the 700-year-old cathedral, enhancing both liturgical and concert use for years to come.
The effort to build the new organ was largely supported by a crowdfunding campaign launched in 2017. The campaign raised over 109 million Czech koruna (approximately $5.2 million), covering about 98% of the total cost. The cathedral itself is historically significant, linked to Czech statehood, coronations, and royal burials, making the installation of a suitable grand organ a culturally important milestone.
The public will get their first taste of the organ's sounds on June 15, 2026, the feast day of St. Vitus. After completion, the organ's pipes will be voiced and tuned through the end of the year. The team, consisting of an international group of experts, is currently working on a three-story scaffolding above the main entrance inside the cathedral.
The new organ represents both a technical and artistic achievement. Gerhard Grenzing, the organ builder, is a renowned figure in the field, having constructed almost 140 organs and reconstructed over 90 historical instruments in various countries. With the installation of this grand organ, Prague's St. Vitus Cathedral will finally have a proper instrument for religious services and concerts.
This milestone comes as a significant addition to the cathedral's rich history. Vaclav Havel's funeral Mass was celebrated in the cathedral on Dec 23, 2011, and the Czech crown jewels are stored inside. The cathedral's significance to Czech statehood, coupled with the new organ's grandeur, promises a harmonious union of history and music in the heart of Prague.
[1] Czech News Agency article
[2] Prague Daily Monitor article
[3] Czech Radio article
[4] Prague Post article
The successful installation of the new grand organ in Prague's St. Vitus Cathedral will undoubtedly enhance its historical home-and-garden, fostering a more harmonious and cultured lifestyle within the surrounding area. As more people gather to hear the cathedral's newly restored reverberations, the local neighborhood will remember the collective effort that brought this musical masterpiece to life, revitalizing community spirit with memories of the crowdfunding campaign and collaboration between international experts.
