Nový Dvůr Monastery

Nový Dvůr Monastery sits hidden among the forests of Dobrá Voda, a village that is part of the municipality of Toužim in the Karlovy Vary Region of western Czechia. It is the only men's Trappist monastery in the entire country and one of the most widely covered examples of contemporary sacred architecture in Central Europe, designed by British architect John Pawson together with the Pilsen-based studio of Jan Soukup.

Where exactly is the monastery located?

Nový Dvůr lies in Dobrá Voda, a settlement administratively part of the municipality of Toužim, in the Karlovy Vary District. The surroundings are rural and heavily forested, away from major tourist routes. Nearby, in the town of Teplá, stands a much older Premonstratensian monastery — both places share a contemplative character, though they belong to different religious orders separated by several centuries of history.

Who are the monks living here?

Nový Dvůr belongs to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, commonly known as Trappists — a community following the Rule of St. Benedict, built around manual work, prayer and silence. For the monks, the monastery is their entire world: it serves as their home, workplace, place of study and prayer, infirmary for the sick, and finally their resting place, since the complex also includes a monastic cemetery.

Why is the monastery's architecture so widely known?

The foundation stone was laid in 2002, and the monastery church was consecrated in 2004. John Pawson's design, known for its austere, minimalist language, echoes the historical axial layout of the former farmstead buildings and their accompanying tree-lined avenues. The monastery itself was planned on a square ground plan, with the community's daily life unfolding at its center. The interiors are stripped of decoration, yet carefully placed openings frame the shifting landscape outside — light and views of the surrounding fields and forests become part of the sacred space rather than an afterthought. In later years the complex was expanded with a new workshop and production building, again designed by Pawson together with Jan Soukup, while the lighting of the monastery church itself was the subject of a separate, carefully considered lighting design.

Can the monastery be visited?

Nový Dvůr is an active contemplative monastery, not a museum, which is worth keeping in mind when planning a visit and showing respect for the community living there. For anyone interested in architecture or simply seeking quiet, the sight of the minimalist church silhouette against the forests of the Karlovy Vary Region is reason enough to pause while traveling between Toužim and nearby Teplá.

What else is worth combining with a visit?

A natural addition to the trip is the aforementioned Premonstratensian monastery in Teplá, a few kilometers away — a much older, Baroque monastic complex that stands in striking contrast to the minimalist, contemporary architecture of Nový Dvůr. Together they offer a picture of two very different eras in the region's monastic history.

Frequently asked questions

Which order does the Nový Dvůr monastery belong to? It belongs to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, the Trappists — the only men's monastery of this order in Czechia.

Who designed the monastery buildings? The complex was designed by British architect John Pawson together with the studio of Jan Soukup from Pilsen.

When was the monastery built? The foundation stone was laid in 2002, and the monastery church was consecrated in 2004.

Where exactly is Nový Dvůr located? In Dobrá Voda, part of the municipality of Toužim, in the Karlovy Vary Region of western Czechia.

What is the nearest other monastery? The Premonstratensian monastery in Teplá, older and built in a very different, Baroque architectural style.