St. George’s Basilica

Right in the shadow of the imposing Cathedral lies another monumental church, the second ever to be built in Prague, St. George’s Basilica & convent (Bazilika Sv. Jiri).

Prince Vratislav I founded the first church on the spot in 920. 50 years later the convent for Benedictine nuns was built and the church was reconstructed & enlarged. After a devastating fire in 1142 the church was rebuilt in its present Romanesque form.

Its charming Baroque facade was shaped in the early Baroque years (1671-1691). Finally in the early 18th century the architect F.M. Kanka added the Baroque Chapel of St. John Nepomuk to the church.

The interior of the basilica is Romanesque, austere and monumental. The tombs of members of the Premyslid dynasty of princes are situated in the main nave. The southern side of the chancel is adjoined by St. Ludmila’s Chapel. The convent has a simple and soberly decorated Early Baroque facade. From the eastern branch of the cloister access can be gained to St. Anne’s Chapel in the convent.