St. Gabriel's Abbey

St. Gabriel's Abbey stands in Prague's Smíchov district, close to the Kinský Gardens on Holečkova Street. Built between 1888 and 1891 as a Benedictine convent of the Beuron Congregation, the complex today operates under the name Gabriel Loci and remains one of the most distinctive historic buildings in this part of the city.

Who founded the abbey and why?

The convent was funded by Countess Gabriela Swéerts-Šporková, who dedicated her fortune to building a monastery with a boarding school for girls from aristocratic and wealthy families. She did not live to see the project completed, and the finished building was dedicated to her patron saint, the Archangel Gabriel — the source of the abbey's name.

Who designed the building?

The design is credited to Benedictine monks Hildebrand de Hemptinne and Ghislain de Béthune, both connected to the Beuron Congregation. The architecture follows the congregation's recognisable Beuronese style, blending sacred art conventions with the aesthetic sensibilities of the late 19th century — a style the monks of Beuron Abbey developed and carried to their foundations across Europe.

What is the abbey's connection to Austria?

Following the establishment of Czechoslovakia, the Benedictine nuns left Smíchov in 1918–1919 and relocated to Styria, Austria, settling at Bertholdstein Castle. This later move is the likely source of confusion in some online references, which describe an Austrian priory under a nearly identical name. The building covered here is the original Prague foundation, not its later Austrian continuation.

What belongs to the abbey complex?

The site includes the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, built together with the rest of the convent. Since 22 December 1964, the whole complex — abbey and church — has been listed as a protected cultural monument.

How is the building used today?

Since 2020 the property has operated under the name Gabriel Loci, owned by the Czech company Cimex Invest, which has adapted the former monastic interiors for new uses and occasionally opens them for cultural events.

Where exactly is the abbey located?

The complex sits in Smíchov, near the Kinský Gardens, on Holečkova Street — a quiet, green corner of Prague away from the busiest tourist routes in the historic centre.

Frequently asked questions

Is St. Gabriel's Abbey still an active convent? No. The Benedictine nuns left Smíchov in 1918–1919 for Styria, Austria. The building now serves cultural and commercial purposes under the name Gabriel Loci.

When was the abbey built? The complex was constructed between 1888 and 1891, funded by Countess Gabriela Swéerts-Šporková.

Is this the same building as the Austrian St. Gabriel's Priory in Styria? Not quite — this is the original Prague foundation. The nuns only moved to Bertholdstein Castle in Styria after 1918, which is why the two sites are sometimes mixed up in reference sources.

Can visitors tour the abbey? The building, now known as Gabriel Loci, is occasionally accessible during cultural events, including the Night of Churches (Noc kostelů).