St. George's Basilica at Prague Castle, Prague

Set within Prague Castle鈥檚 historic grounds, George Square is home to one of the city鈥檚 most remarkable landmarks鈥擲aint George's Basilica, the oldest surviving church building in all of Prague. Founded by Prince Vratislav way back in 921, the church is a study in contrasts. Its vivid red-and-cream Baroque fa莽ade, added centuries later, gives little hint of the austere Romanesque design waiting inside. Step through the entrance, and you鈥檙e met with a space that feels both solemn and monumental. A double staircase rises toward the high altar, where you'll find beautiful painted decorations on the apse and ceiling.

The basilica鈥檚 main nave houses the tombs of several members of the P艡emyslid dynasty, the first ruling family of Bohemia.. A large stone coffin contains Boleslav I, remembered in Czech history as Boleslav the Cruel. Just to the right of the central stairs is the Chapel of Saint Ludmila, grandmother to both Boleslav and the much-revered Wenceslas. Ludmila鈥檚 legacy looms large鈥攕he was instrumental in raising Wenceslas as a Christian, while her daughter-in-law, Drahom铆ra, remained loyal to the region鈥檚 older pagan traditions. That conflict turned deadly, at least according to legend: Ludmila was reportedly strangled with her own scarf on Drahom铆ra鈥檚 orders, a detail often depicted in paintings and statues through the presence of a veil around her neck. The story echoes a recurring Czech theme鈥攕piritual tension between old gods and new faiths, local identity and foreign influence.

Thanks to the basilica鈥檚 exceptional acoustics, the space also doubles as a concert venue. Classical performances are held year-round, drawing both seasoned fans and curious newcomers alike. Nearby, you鈥檒l find the former Convent of Saint George, established in 973 by Boleslav II. Today, the quiet building houses part of the National Gallery鈥檚 collection, featuring Renaissance and Baroque works in an atmosphere that blends artistic beauty with centuries of monastic calm.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Prague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: St. George's Basilica at Prague Castle
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Hradcany (Castle District) Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles

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Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles

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Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles

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