Matthias of Arras

Who was Matthias of Arras?

Matthias of Arras, sometimes spelled as Matthew of Arras was a French architect, famed for his work on St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.

Matthias was born in Arras, but little else is known about his early life. In 1344 he was summoned to Prague from the papal court of Avignon by Charles IV to lead works on the newly founded Saint Vitus Cathedral. He is also widely recognized as the architect of Karlstein Castle, although this fact is not fully authenticated. His involvement in the design of the New Town of Prague is also not completely certain.

When Matthias died at Prague in 1352, Saint Vitus Cathedral was not yet completed. The role of its master mason and Charles' head architect fell to then twenty-three years old Peter Parler.