St. George's Basilica (Bazilika Sv. Jirí) is the oldest church within the Prague Castle complex. This Romanesque building was founded by Prince Vratislav of Bohemia in 920 and was expanded upon in 973, with the addition of the St George's Benedictine Convent. In 1142, the basilica had to be rebuilt following a fire, and the Baroque facade that can be seen today was added in the late 17th century.
The church is home to several tombs and shrines of historical significance. A Gothic-style chapel holds the tomb of the saint, Ludmila of Bohemia, while the shrines of Vratislav and Boleslaus II are also inside. The interior is both unique and grand, with its high dark-wood ceiling serving to accentuate the narrowness of the church, and decorative windows in the stone walls allowing for light to enter in a dramatic way. The intricate paintwork of the altar and the frescos of the dome are the work of V.V. Reiner.
Today, St George's Basilica houses the 19th century Bohemian Art Collection of the National Gallery, as well as hosting various classical concerts.
