bazilika svaté Ludmily Basilica

The Basilica of Saint Ludmila is a Roman Catholic parish church on náměstí Míru in Vinohrady in Prague 2. It is a typical Neo-Gothic building from the late nineteenth century, dedicated to Saint Princess Ludmila. It is among the youngest and at the same time among the largest churches in Prague 2. In August 2022, Pope Francis elevated it to the rank of minor basilica.

Vinohrady began to expand rapidly after the New Town fortifications were demolished in 1875. Apartment buildings rose here according to an urban plan and from a small village it became a modern Prague neighborhood. In 1879, Royal Vinohrady was elevated to the status of a city. However, they did not have their own church. They belonged to the parish of Saint Nicholas in Vršovicích and had only two chapels. When the population exceeded fifteen thousand in 1881, consideration began to be given to building a new church and establishing an independent parish.

The project came from Vinohrady's mayor Vilém Vlček. The new parish was officially established on November first, 1884. The urban planning concept envisioned three main public buildings on the central square: a church, a theater, and a national house. The location for the church was chosen in advance in the middle of the square, on the axis of the main east-west avenue.

The plans were drawn up by architect Josef Mocker, and František Mikš represented him on the construction. The cornerstone was laid on November twenty-fifth, 1888 and construction continued until 1892. Leading artists of the time participated in the decoration. The church was consecrated by Prague Archbishop Cardinal František Schönborn on October eighth, 1893 and the relics of Saint Ludmila and Saint Václav were then solemnly transferred there. The interior was completed throughout the twentieth century, for example the main altar was commissioned in 1902.

From 1974 the church was closed for a long time, first because of the metro construction and then because of reconstruction. Services were held in the meantime in a provisionally opened part of one nave. The entire church was reopened in 1992 with a festive service conducted by Cardinal Miloslav Vlk.

The space in front of the church today hosts Christmas and Easter markets, concerts and other public events. Since 2013, a light projection has been displayed on the church facade each year in October as part of the Signal festival. In September 2024 the parish celebrated 140 years since its establishment.