Prague’s St. George’s Monastery to experience major reconstruction

In 2016, the Archbishop of Prague acquired ownership of St. George’s Monastery and has recently received Vatican approval to renovate this significant historic complex dating back to the 10th century.

St. George’s Convent is a building located within Prague Castle, next to St. George’s Basilica. The monastery owes its establishment to Mlada, daughter of Boleslav, who personally traveled to Rome to obtain permission for its construction. Founded in 973, the building soon became the home of a female Benedictine order. The convent was an important spiritual center during the reign of Charles IV. In 1782, Emperor Joseph II issued a decree closing the monastery, which was later used as military barracks. The building was renovated in 1976 to house an important exhibition of ancient Czech artifacts. However, in 2012, the convent was closed again due to deteriorating conditions. Finally, in 2016, the Archbishopric of Prague obtained ownership of St. George’s Convent as part of a property agreement with Prague Castle.

The Archbishopric of Prague has recently obtained Vatican consent for the monastery’s renovation. The reconstruction will be funded by KKCG Real Estate Group, owned by billionaire Karel Komárek. Following the renovation, the convent will open to the public and will permanently house the St. Vitus Treasury, one of the largest collections of precious objects and religious relics. The building will also become an important cultural and educational center. The renovation plans aim to improve the structural conditions of the convent, with particular attention to preserving and restoring its historic architecture.

The reopening of the monastery is eagerly anticipated for both its historical value and its role in Prague’s cultural and religious life.

Sources: https://www.expats.cz/; https://kkcg.com/cs; https://www.wikipedia.org/