Klášter u Panny Marie Sněžné

The Franciscan Monastery at the Church of Our Lady of the Snows stands in Prague's New Town, and its history is far more dramatic than the quiet, active parish it houses today would suggest. The complex pairs an unfinished Gothic church with a monastery that has been linked to the Franciscan order for centuries.

Who founded the monastery in the New Town?

The foundation dates back to 1347, when the monastery was established as part of the founding of Prague's New Town. It was originally home to the Carmelites — their first monastery on Czech lands. The Church of Our Lady of the Snows was conceived on a huge scale from the very beginning, planned as one of the most ambitious Gothic churches in the city.

Why was the church never finished?

The original design called for an imposing structure, meant to be one of the tallest Gothic churches ever built in Prague. Construction, however, was never completed according to that plan — essentially only the chancel of the intended, much larger building was ever raised. That is why the church's proportions look unusual and visibly "cut short" from the outside today.

What happened to the first community here?

The Carmelite community had already been declining since the Hussite Wars, which severely disrupted church foundations across Bohemia. The convent ultimately ceased to exist in 1543, and the monastery buildings fell into disrepair for decades afterward.

How did the Franciscans come to occupy the site?

The turning point came in the early 17th century. Between 1603 and 1604, Emperor Rudolf II granted the abandoned, decaying former Carmelite monastery to the Franciscans. Reconstruction of both the monastery and the church began soon after their arrival, with significant patronage from the Lobkowicz family, whose support allowed the repair work to gain momentum.

What happened at the monastery in 1611?

One of the most tragic moments in the site's history took place on 15 February 1611. During unrest triggered by the invasion of Passau mercenary troops into Prague, the monastery was attacked by an armed mob, and fourteen friars were brutally murdered. The slain brothers were regarded as holy from early on, and were beatified on 13 October 2012.

Have the Franciscans been present here continuously?

Since the order's return in the early 17th century, the monastery has remained in Franciscan hands almost without interruption, with one major exception: 1950–1990, when religious orders were suppressed under the communist regime and monastic life here became impossible. After 1990, the Franciscans returned to their former home, which today functions as an active monastery and parish.

Frequently asked questions

When was the monastery at the Church of Our Lady of the Snows founded? Its foundation dates to 1347, when it was originally established for the Carmelites as their first monastery in Bohemia.

Why does the church look unfinished? Because it genuinely is — only part of the planned, very tall Gothic building was ever completed, mainly the chancel, while the rest of the ambitious design was never built.

Since when have the Franciscans cared for the monastery? The Franciscans received the ruined former Carmelite monastery from Emperor Rudolf II between 1603 and 1604 and rebuilt it with support from the Lobkowicz family.

What does 15 February 1611 commemorate? On that day, during unrest linked to the invasion of Passau troops, fourteen Franciscan friars were murdered at the monastery; they were beatified in 2012.

Has the order operated here without interruption throughout its history? No — between 1950 and 1990, under communist rule, the monastery could not function as a religious community; the Franciscans returned after 1990.