Franciscan Monastery in Plzeň

The Franciscan Monastery in Plzeň is one of the city's oldest religious complexes, with roots going back to the late 13th century. Originally built for the Minorite order and later taken over by the Franciscans, it still preserves its Gothic church, cloister, and Baroque façade, and today its interiors house a collection of sacred art.

When was the monastery in Plzeň founded?

The monastery was founded in 1297, shortly after Plzeň itself was established as a royal town. Construction of the monastery church, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, took place between 1300 and 1350, with the church reaching completion around the mid-14th century. The cloister followed somewhat later, around 1380. The complex therefore grew in stages across most of the 14th century, a fact still visible in the stylistic differences between its various parts.

How did the monastery survive the turbulent Middle Ages?

The following centuries were far from peaceful. In 1419, at the instigation of the preacher Václav Koranda, the friars were expelled from the city, only to return the year after. Greater damage came with the Hussite wars: during the siege of Plzeň in 1433–1434 the monastery suffered heavy destruction, and its repair dragged on for almost fifty years. These episodes reflect how closely the monastery's fate was tied to the city's own turbulent history, since Plzeň remained a Catholic stronghold throughout the Hussite period.

What changed the monastery's appearance in the Baroque era?

Further transformations followed in the early modern period. A tower dating from the late 16th century was rebuilt in 1676, and a Chapel of the Holy Trinity was added in 1611. In 1618, during the siege of the city by Mansfeld's troops at the outset of the Thirty Years' War, the monastery was damaged once again. Its biggest makeover, however, came in the 18th century: between 1722 and 1744, architect Jakub Auguston gave the building the Baroque façade that still defines its appearance today. This period effectively shaped the harmonious look the complex has today.

What is housed in the monastery today?

The monastery's fortunes changed dramatically in the 20th century. In 1950, as part of the communist campaign known as "Action K," directed against male religious orders, the monastery was shut down and its friars removed from the building. For years afterward, the building formed part of the collections of the West Bohemian Museum. Today the former monastery houses the Museum of Diocesan Art of the Plzeň Diocese, along with other institutions connected to the local bishopric. Visitors can view the Gothic church interior, the cloister, and the ecclesiastical art on display there.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the monastery located? The monastery stands in the historic center of Plzeň, in western Bohemia.

Who originally founded the monastery? It was founded in 1297 as a home for the Minorite order, which later evolved into the Franciscan branch present today.

Does the building still serve a religious function? The church and cloister have retained their sacred character and now house the Plzeň diocese's collection of church art, although the monastery itself ceased to function as a religious community in 1950.

What architectural styles can be seen in the building? The oldest parts — the church and cloister — are Gothic and date from the 14th century, while the façade and part of the interior decoration result from the Baroque reconstruction of 1722–1744.