St. George's Basilica, built in 920, is the second oldest church in Prague.
St. George's Basilica with its associated monastery belongs to Prague Castle and is dedicated to St. George.
In this guide to St. George's Basilica, learn all about the attractions, history, and helpful information on how to get there, tickets, and guided tours.
What Can I Do at St. George's Basilica?
The basilica, one of the oldest preserved parts of Prague Castle, is the best preserved Romanesque building in all of Bohemia. For this reason, it is considered one of the most important sights and Romanesque monuments in the Czech Republic.
But the church is also of special historical importance because of the shrines and tombs inside. The remains of St. Ludmila, the first martyr for Bohemia, are buried in the Gothic Ludmilla Chapel. This is considered the main attraction of many visitors. Also worth mentioning are the shrines of Boleslaus II and the church founder Vratislav I, located in the nave.
Visitors can also admire the unique interior, which impresses with simplicity and monumentality. This contrasts with the precious frescoes that adorn the dome and the elaborate decorations of the altar.
In the Baroque St. John Nepomuk Chapel, visitors come across the remarkable statue of St. John of Nepomuk, designed by the sculptor Ferdinand Maximilian Brokoff.
Today, the basilica houses the Bohemian Art Collection from the National Gallery.
The Benedictine monastery with the same name, located right next to the basilica, is also worthy of note. For many centuries it was considered one of the most important monasteries in Bohemia. Today, however, it is no longer active.
Admission, Tickets, and Guided Tours
- Admission: St. George's Basilica is located in Prague Castle and can be visited with a regular Prague Castle entrance ticket. Please note: At the entrance to the Prague Castle area, there is a security check that all visitors must undergo.
- Tickets: Admission to St. George's Basilica is included in the Prague Castle admission ticket. The ticket is valid for two consecutive days. Each attraction, can be visited only once. Buy a skip the line ticket for Prague Castle here in advance and avoid standing in line!
- Guided Tour: Several tour operators offer guided tours of Prague Castle. Book here the most popular guided tour of Prague Castle, including entrance ticket.
- Tip: Since there is always a big crowd in front of the ticket counters on site, it is recommended to buy an online ticket in advance.
How Do I Get to St. George's Basilica?
St. George's Basilica is located in Prague Castle, which stands on a hill in the center of Prague.
The easiest way to reach the castle is by public transport, taking streetcar line 22. You can take it from the Old Town of Prague to the Pražský hrad (Prague Castle) stop.
You can find the basilica east of St. Vitus Cathedral on St. George's Square.
History
St. George's Basilica was built in 920 as the second church building in Prague Castle. The Romanesque sacral building was founded at the behest of Prince Vratislav I and expanded in 973 by the Benedictine monastery with the same name. Today, only the foundation walls of the original building remain.
After a fire in 1142 the church was rebuilt. During this reconstruction it came to the present Romanesque shape with the main apse and two towers. Over the centuries, the chapel of St. Ludmilla, the entrance portico on the west side, the Baroque facade and the chapel of St. John of Nepomuk were added.
From 1887 to 1908 the church was renovated after soldiers severely damaged it during their stay in the monastery. Great care was taken to restore the basilica to its Romanesque appearance.
Today, St. George's Basilica houses the National Gallery's exhibition of old Czech art. Occasionally concerts are held in the premises of the church.
Contact
- Address: Jiřské náměstí, Pražský hrad, 119 01 Praha 1 - Hradčany
- Website: https://www.hrad.cz/en/prague-castle-for-visitors/objects-for-visitors/st.-georges-basilica-and-convent-10333#from-list
- Public Transport: Streetcar Line 22 bis „Pražský hrad“
- Ticket: … Link own ticket…
- Opening Hours: The opening hours of St. George's Basilica can be found on the Prague Castle website.