King Vratislaus II of Bohemia founded the Romanesque church between 1070 and 1080. A fire in 1249 led to Gothic rebuilding. The present neo-Gothic building dates from 1887 to 1903. Josef Mocker was the first master builder but died mid-construction, and his partner František Mikš finished it and modified the facade and tower designs. The article names no client for the rebuild.
It has a nave with two aisles, a large choir and apse, and no transept. The twin towers are 190 feet (58 m) high. The interior mixes Art Nouveau and Baroque decoration. A roof restoration costing about 45 million Czech crowns is due for completion in 2029.
Pope John Paul II elevated it to a basilica in 2003. It is an active collegiate and parish church of the Archdiocese of Prague.
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