St. George's Basilica (Bazilika Sv. Jiří) is the oldest church building within the Prague Castle complex. It is also the best preserved Romanesque church in Prague. St. George's Basilica was founded by Prince Vratislav (915-921) in 920. It was then enlarged in 973 with the construction of St. George's Benedictine Convent. In 1142, St. George's had to be rebuilt following a fire. And the Baroque facade that we see today was added in 1671-1691. The basilica's ceiling is constructed of a deep dark wood, its height accentuated by the narrow width of the church. Decorative windows in the stone walls provide atmospheric lighting. The overall effect is very old world. The altar painting and frescos in the dome are the work of V.V. Reiner. Within the church lie the tombs of significant historical figures, such as Prince Vratislav and Boleslav II. The tomb of St. Ludmila, the saint and widow of the 9th century ruler Prince Borivoj, can be seen in the Gothic Chapel of St. Ludmila.
To enter St. George's Basilica, visitors need to buy a Prague Castle Self-Guided Ticket or book a guided Prague Castle Tour With Entrance Ticket.
Alternatively, you can attend a classical concert at St. George's. The basilica's high ceiling and Romanesque architecture, coupled with its romantic setting within the Prague Castle complex, provide a wonderful setting for concerts all year round. The concerts are popular, so advance booking is essential (Prague Castle is a distance to travel only to find the event you wish to attend is sold out). In winter, St. George's Basilica is not heated. For the concerts, blankets are available for comfort, but it is still advisable to wear warm clothing. View listings and book concert tickets. |