If my church looked like this, I might actually start attending.
Located within the boundaries of the Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral is one of the great Gothic masterpieces of Europe. I mean just look at this thing! What makes it really special, however, is that its magnificence comes from different master builders exercising their gifts without taking away from the other.
St. Vitus, whose present day structure dates back to 1344, began construction under the hand of Matthias of Arras, a French master builder brought in from Avignon. Essentially utilizing French Gothic style, he crafted the overall look using strict geometrical and mathematical proportions. Peter Parler, who took over when Matthias passed away in 1352, followed the original designer’s plans with respect and diligence. Once those designs were complete, however, Parler continued building according to his own strengths, which were that of a sculptor and carver. He manipulated 
the various forms as if it were a giant sculptor and added detail to the point that no two cathedral windows are the same. You’ll also 
notice that the various sides of the cathedral all have their own unique look. Future builders made their own minor impressions, adding Renaissance and Baroque elements, but it’s the Matthias and Parler collaboration that gives St. Vitus its glorious hybrid of Gothic styles.
As one might imagine, the cathedral fresh, innovative design inspired other builders, and the Parler clan’s superstar notoriety led to building new cathedrals in Austria, Croatia and in the Czech Republic. Ultimately, though, this breathtaking masterpiece stands as a testament to what happens when egos are put aside and two masters put their focus on building upon each other’s strengths instead of just their own.
