Klášter milosrdných bratří

The Monastery of the Merciful Brothers (Klášter milosrdných bratří) with the Church of St. John of Nepomuk stands at the edge of the historic center of Prostějov and ranks among the town's most striking Baroque landmarks. The whole complex is regarded as the high point of Prostějov's Baroque architecture and is listed in the Central Register of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic.

What is the history behind the monastery?

The Order of the Merciful Brothers acquired the site in Prostějov in 1733 at the invitation of Marie Anna of Liechtenstein, who wanted to give thanks for the recovery of her son, Jan Nepomuk of Liechtenstein, from a serious illness. Her gesture led to the founding of the order's first monastery on Czech soil. The convent building itself went up between 1739 and 1753 under the patronage of the Liechtenstein family, who were the lords of the town at the time, while the adjoining monastery church was built from 1751 to 1755. The architectural design of the church came from the Italian architect Antonius Erhard Martinelli. The foundation stone was laid in 1751, the vault was completed two years later, and the church was solemnly consecrated on 5 October 1755.

What can visitors see today?

The Church of St. John of Nepomuk is a single-nave, late Baroque building on a rectangular plan that narrows toward the presbytery, joined to the western wing of the monastery. Above the central section of the façade rises a triangular pediment with volute wings, out of which the church tower emerges. On the ground floor, smaller round-arched windows flank the portal on either side. Inside, the decoration is worth close attention: painter František Antonín Sebastini, sculptor Jan Schubert, and woodcarver František Hirnle all contributed to the interior, giving it a mature, distinctly Baroque character.

What purpose did the monastery serve?

From its founding, the monastery ran a small hospital with 18 beds for the sick - the first hospital of its kind in Prostějov, serving mainly the town's poorer residents. The complex also housed the town's second pharmacy. The Merciful Brothers continued their charitable and medical work here without interruption until 1958, when the communist regime seized the monastery's property and converted the building into a nursing home. The convent was returned to the order in 1990 after the fall of the regime, and in 2015 it was sold to the Archdiocese of Olomouc.

How do you get there?

The monastery complex sits at the edge of Prostějov's historic center, and the town itself is easily reached by car or train from Olomouc, roughly a dozen kilometers away. From the train station, it's a short walk of about fifteen minutes to the monastery, passing through the town center - a route that also takes in other Prostějov landmarks, such as the main square and the castle.

When is the best time to visit?

The building is best seen during the day, when natural light shows off the Baroque façade and tower to good effect. Since the church remains an active place of worship, it's worth checking local opening hours and the schedule of services in advance to avoid visiting during Mass.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded the monastery in Prostějov? The monastery was founded on the initiative of Marie Anna of Liechtenstein, who invited the Merciful Brothers to the town in 1733 in gratitude for her son Jan Nepomuk's recovery from illness.

Who designed the monastery church? The architectural design of the Church of St. John of Nepomuk was created by the Italian architect Antonius Erhard Martinelli.

Until when did the Merciful Brothers operate here? The order ran its work in Prostějov without interruption until 1958, when the communist authorities seized the building.

What did the Merciful Brothers do in Prostějov? They ran a small 18-bed hospital for the sick, mainly serving the town's poorer residents, as well as Prostějov's second pharmacy.