To find the Basilica of St. Jiri, you have to go to Prague Castle. Right behind St Vitus Cathedral on Jiřská Square with a beautiful fountain is the basilica. By the way, the square got its name thanks to this very basilica.
The name Jiri from Czech translates as George. So we can rightfully say that we are going to tell you about the Basilica of St George.
This is one of the oldest and most revered churches in Prague. Its façade hides the remains of a church that was built on this site back in the 10th century by Vratislav I, the father of Wenceslas the Saint. In 1142, the basilica was almost completely destroyed by a terrible fire, but the citizens of Prague decided to rebuild their favourite church and at the same time to remodel it a little. The facade was completely changed and two towers were added, which were named Adam and Eve.
The facade was changed several more times: at first it was decorated in the Baroque style, and in the early XX century - in the style of purism. In 1718-1722 the basilica received an additional chapel, which was dedicated to a very revered saint in Bohemia - Jan Nepomucký.
When visiting the basilica, note the tombstones of King Vratislav I, who founded the church, and his grandson. It also houses the remains of Ludmila of Bohemia, the patron saint of all Bohemia. She was regent under the minor King Wenceslas the Holy.
The modern appearance of the basilica is reminiscent of a 12th century church.
Adjoining the basilica is the building of a convent where girls from the noble families of Prague were brought up. From them they tried to make ideal abbesses for Czech monasteries. Nowadays, the monastery hosts exhibitions on Czech art, and the basilica continues to operate.
