<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe church was built before 921 during the reign of Vratislav I. When he died, the church was completed but not yet consecrated. His son, who had his grandmother Ludmilla buried there in 925, therefore had it consecrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 976, the Benedictine convent was founded on the north side of the basilica and from then on used the church as a convent church. The three-aisled building was extended. A west choir, stands for the nuns and a crypt were added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nAfter the fire on the castle grounds in 1142, which also affected the monastery and the church, everything was rebuilt. This resulted in the two tall white towers that still characterize the exterior of the church today. A large mural was probably also created in the course of this construction work. A few surviving sections of the painting can still be seen in the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the High Middle Ages, further elements were created that have been preserved in the basilica to this day. The Chapel of St. Ludmilla and the scriptorium are just a few examples. Emperor Charles IV was later a great supporter of Saint Ludmilla and promoted and strengthened the rights of the monastery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The ups and downs of the monastery’s history came to an end at the beginning of March 1782 when an imperial decree ordered its dissolution. The building became the property of the military and was initially used as barracks. As interest in the history of the monastery grew in the second half of the 19th century, it began to be reconstructed. The rooms now house the National Gallery and the church can be visited.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWith our admission ticket, we were able to visit St. George’s Basilica without any problems. I also had the feeling that there weren’t quite as many visitors here. In contrast to our visit to St. Vitus Cathedral, we didn’t have to queue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The entrance portico on the west side, which dates back to the 13th century, is particularly beautiful. In the church, which has been remodeled several times over the years, an attempt has been made to restore the Romanesque design. Everything is kept very simple and yet monumental. The painting on the vaulted ceiling is truly beautiful and is highlighted by the light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nhe nave contains the tombs of members of the P\u0159emyslid dynasty, such as Prince Vratislav I, the father of St. Wenceslas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that many visitors to Prague Castle greatly underestimate St. George’s Basilica. Although the nave is not magnificent, I was particularly impressed by the wall and ceiling decorations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGolden Lane<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The Golden Lane is located between the northern castle wall and the former Burgrave’s Palace. Why this alleyway has become a magnet for visitors was not clear to me when we first visited many years ago. However, I suspect that the name attracts visitors. Goldenes G\u00e4sschen sounds like a sparkling and glittering alleyway. However, the fact that it only bears this name because alchemists once tried to produce gold here for Emperor Rudolf II. Many visitors will not know this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe small alley consists of 11 tiny houses, behind which lies the castle wall with the battlements. The castle guards still lived in the small houses in the 16th century. Later, goldsmiths and alchemists moved in. In the 19th century, it was mainly poorer families. Certainly the most famous resident lived there from 1916 to 1917. The writer Franz Kafka worked in house number 22 and also wrote several stories there. Today, there is a small bookshop in this house that only sells works by and about Kafka. We were in the bookshop and I was amazed to see how many people buy a book there just because Kafka worked there. In another bookshop, they certainly wouldn’t have bought these works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nAfter the Second World War, the small houses were renovated and the fa\u00e7ades painted in bright colors. Today, there is nothing to remind us of their original poor condition. The houses are now uninhabited and are partly used for small souvenir stores, permanent exhibitions and caf\u00e9s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat we hadn’t seen on our previous visits was the permanent exhibition of medieval weapons, which is located in the battlements. You can get there via a staircase in a small tower. Some of the armor and weapons on display in the large glass cabinets are quite impressive. Unfortunately, it is just as crowded here as in the Golden Lane and we experienced very unfriendly visitors who didn’t understand if you wanted to take a closer look at an exhibit and stopped in front of the glass display case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to visit the Golden Lane, you need an admission ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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