Monastery of the Theatines

The Monastery of the Theatines in Prague is a complex of a former church and adjoining monastery buildings, located on Nerudova Street in Malá Strana, on the site of the former Strahov Gate. The location's coordinates are 50.088889, 14.399722.

Where in Malá Strana is the Theatine monastery located?

The complex stands on Nerudova Street, one of the distinctive streets of Prague's Malá Strana district. The church and monastery were built on the site of two former burgher houses, next to the now-vanished Strahov Gate, which once marked the boundary of this part of the city.

Where does the monastery's name come from, and who built it?

The name comes from the Theatine order, a congregation of clerks regular that erected its church and monastery here between 1691 and 1717. The church itself, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Cajetan, was built during the second phase of construction, between 1711 and 1717. The entire complex therefore took more than a quarter of a century to complete, which was typical of large monastic foundations in Prague at the time.

What does the architecture of the monastery church look like?

Unlike other Baroque churches in Malá Strana, this one has no towers and is built on a central, cross-shaped floor plan. Such a layout, organized around a single central point, was a relatively uncommon solution in Prague's Baroque sacred architecture, which makes the church an unusual example compared with the neighboring churches of the district.

What role did the monastery play in the history of Czech theatre?

After the monastic community's activity ended, the monastery's rooms were adapted to a new purpose: its former refectory was turned into a theatre hall, known as the Kajetán Theatre (Kajetánské divadlo). It seated 180 people, and the first public performance took place there on February 22, 1835. One of the leading figures of the Czech national revival, Josef Kajetán Tyl, was associated with this stage; his theatrical and literary work played an important role in the development of Czech-language cultural life in the 19th century.

Why is this place worth knowing about when exploring Malá Strana?

The Monastery of the Theatines shows how Baroque religious buildings in Prague changed their function over the course of history - from a monastic church and monastery to a theatre hall named after one of the most important Czech playwrights. This combination of religious architecture and a secular theatrical tradition makes the site notable for anyone walking along Nerudova Street.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Theatine monastery located? On Nerudova Street in Malá Strana, Prague, on the site of the former Strahov Gate.

When were the church and monastery built? The monastery buildings were constructed between 1691 and 1717. The church itself, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Cajetan, was built between 1711 and 1717.

What is distinctive about the church's architecture? The building has no towers and is based on a central, cross-shaped plan - a solution rarely seen among Prague's Baroque churches.

What theatre operated in the former monastery? The Kajetán Theatre, set up in the monastery's former refectory, had 180 seats. Its first performance took place on February 22, 1835, and it was associated with Josef Kajetán Tyl.

Where does the monastery get its name from? From the Theatine order, a congregation of clerks regular that founded and built the church and monastery here.