Peter Parler

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Peter Parler (Czech: Petr Parléř, 1330 (?) Schwäbisch Gmünd - July 13, 1399 Prague) was a German architect, known for building Saint Vitus Cathedral and Charles Bridge in Prague, where he lived since about 1356.

His father, master builder Heinrich Parler, moved to Schwäbisch Gmünd from Cologne, where he led the reconstruction works of the Holy Cross parish church. Members of large Parler family worked in construction works around all of Europe.

Peter Parler became the master mason of Saint Vitus Cathedral in 1352, after the death of its original architect, Matthias of Arras. Apart from the cathedral, he was the main designer of the New Town of Prague and built Charles Bridge and its towers. In the Royal Palace of Prague Castle Parler built All Saints' Chapel. After 1541 fire it was redecorated in the Baroque style. He was apparently the architect of the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) built in market square of Nuremberg, to replace the synagogue torn down in pogrom of 1349. Between 1360-78 Parler built the chancel of the St. Bartholomew church in Kolin. He died in Prague in 1399, and was buried in the St. Vitus cathedral.