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.
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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St. George's Basilica at Prague Castle on Map
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:
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Prague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Prague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
New Town Walking Tour
The youngest (founded in 1348) and the largest (three times the size of the Old Town), the New Town (or Nove Mesto) of Prague is one of the five originally independent townships that today form the historic center of the Czech capital. This vibrant district offers a mix of historical charm and modern amenities and is traditionally dense with tourists.
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Hradcany (Castle District) Walking Tour
Prague鈥檚 Castle District is a neighborhood where history feels almost tangible鈥攁n atmospheric blend of towering landmarks, quiet courtyards, and sweeping city views. At its heart sits the mighty Prague Castle, often cited as the largest castle complex in the world. Its origins stretch back to the 9th century, and over time, it has been home to Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, Communist... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
Prague鈥檚 Old Town is a living tapestry of medieval roots and vibrant modern life, wrapped in narrow cobblestone streets and brimming with architectural treasures. Once a self-contained settlement, it was protected by a semi-circular moat and a fortified wall, both tracing the curve of the Vltava River. Although the moat is long gone, its path survives in the form of key streets鈥攎ost notably Na... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
Nicknamed the 鈥淐ity of a Hundred Spires,鈥� Prague is a living gallery of history and architecture, home to world-class museums, eclectic galleries, numerous theaters, and a seemingly endless collection of historic landmarks.
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word 鈥減r谩h鈥�, which means 鈥渞apid鈥�, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word 鈥減r谩h鈥�, which means 鈥渞apid鈥�, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Lesser Town Walking Tour
Mala Strana (or "Lesser Town") is a district in Prague situated on the left bank of the Vltava River. Renowned for its architectural beauty, this is one of the capital's most historically significant neighborhoods. Back in the Middle Ages, it was predominantly populated by ethnic Germans and, in later years, despite the prevalence of Baroque in its architecture, largely retained its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shopping
Strolling through the Old Town of Prague, souvenir shopping becomes a delightful adventure. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Prague without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original and unique to the city.
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
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