Břevnov Monastery


In the north-western part of Prague is located the Brevnovsky Monastery (Břevnovský klášter). On its territory there is a functioning brewery, which is considered to be the oldest in the country. In 1991, the monastery was declared a National Monument of Culture.

General information

The temple is the first Catholic monastery in Prague. It was founded in 993 by the order of the Czech king Boleslaw the Second and Bishop Vojtech (Adalbert). The brewery was open at about the same time. This is in one of his letters says the priest, when he reproaches the monks in their excessive passion for a foamy drink.

According to legend, the name of the Břevnov monastery occurred after a meeting between Vojtech and Boleslaw on a wooden bridge, which was laid out of a single log (Břevnovský). Here they decided to erect the first Czech temple of the Benedictines.

The history of the monastery

The first monastic buildings were built of wood. In the middle of the 11th century the main building was erected from white stone. It began to be called the three-nave church of St. Markets (Margarita), and in due course was appropriated the status of a basilica. Gradually around it were all kinds of buildings, for example, a scriptorium (writing workshop), a school, a chapel, cells, etc.

During the Hussite wars (XV century), the monastery almost completely burned down and lost its importance. The monks did not have enough funds for the restoration and repair of sacred buildings. Completely restored Břevnov monastery could only in the XVIII century. In this form it has come down to our days. True, with the arrival of the Communists, the church was closed, but since 1990 its work has been resumed.

Description of the monastery

The temple is built in the Baroque style. Designers worked on famous architects, sculptors and artists of the time, for example, Lurago, Dinzenhoferov, Bayer. On the territory of the monastery complex is a wonderful park, among which there are buildings. The most famous of them are:

  1. The Basilica of Saint Margarita of Antioch - in the temple her relics are kept. In 1262, King Przemysl Otakar II transferred them to the abbey, thus laying the foundation for her cult. The Great Martyr is the patroness of pregnant women and farming. The relics are on the main altar under the gilded Marqueta sculpture, made in full size. Here you can hear the ancient organ created in the XVIII century by Tobias Meisner.
  2. Prelature is the most remarkable building on the territory of the monastery. Outwardly it resembles a palace structure with an original gate at the entrance. They are decorated with a sculptural image of Archbishop Benedict, who is surrounded by angels cast in 1740. Inside the building there is the Theresian Hall, the Chinese salon, where exotic murals of A.Tuvory are stored, a capitulum room with frescoes of Jesus Christ on the ceiling, as well as an old library resembling a museum.
  3. Cemetery - it was founded in 1739, and in the XIX century significantly expanded. Here you should pay attention to the chapel of St. Lazarus, the sculpture of Prokop created by Karl Joseph Gyernl, the tomb of Ignaz Michael Platzer and the grave of the Czech singer Karel Kryl.
  4. The Brewery of the Břevnov Monastery - it houses one of the best restaurants in Prague, serving 5 varieties of a foamy drink. Portions here are very large, and prices are slightly higher than in other metropolitan institutions.

Features of visit

On weekends, organized tours are organized in the monastery. Their cost is about $ 2.5. On other days you can walk around the monastery for free, but without the guide's accompaniment.

How to get there?

Near the Břevnov monastery trams No. 25 and 22 stop, the stop is called Břevnovský klášter. Also from the center of Prague, you can get here by buses Nos.180, 191, 380 or by car along the road Městský okruh, Podbělohorská and Plzeňská. The distance is about 7 km.