Ursuline monastery in Prague

The Ursuline Monastery in Prague (Czech: Klášter voršilek), together with the Church of St. Ursula, is a Baroque complex in Prague's New Town, standing at Národní třída 8 and along Voršilská and Ostrovní streets. It remains one of the few fully preserved Baroque monastic complexes in the city centre, with the church façade clearly visible from the busy Národní třída.

How did the Ursulines come to Prague?

The first Ursuline sisters arrived in Prague in 1655 — seven nuns who came from a convent in Liège, in present-day Belgium. They settled first in Malá Strana before moving to the New Town. Their educational work quickly earned recognition among Prague's burghers, which paved the way for building a permanent convent of their own, constructed between 1674 and 1678.

When was the Church of St. Ursula built?

The church itself was built several decades later, between 1702 and 1704, on the site of former burgher houses. The design was drawn up in 1699 by architect Marcantonio Canevalle, part of the circle of Italian-born Baroque builders active in Prague at the time. The church was consecrated on 6 July 1704. Interior decoration was completed by 1707: the frescoes were painted by Jan Jakub Stevens ze Steinfelsu, while the stucco work is attributed to Tommaso Soldatti.

What is inside the church worth seeing?

The vault frescoes are divided into three sections depicting the work of the three Divine Persons — God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The high altar is dominated by a painting of the Apotheosis of St. Ursula by Jan Kryštof Liška, considered one of the notable works of Prague Baroque painting. A side altar dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary holds a painting by Petr Brandl from 1709 — both artists ranked among the leading Baroque painters working in Bohemia at the time.

What is the former monastery used for today?

The convent operated continuously until 1951, when it was shut down by the then-communist authorities. The buildings were not returned to the Roman Union of the Order of St. Ursula until 1991, following the political changes in Czechoslovakia. Today the former monastery buildings house tenants unrelated to the order, including the Institute of Endocrinology (Endokrinologický ústav), a restaurant with its own brewery, and Aggeo, a shop selling Italian delicatessen. The complex has two entrances: the main one leads through a courtyard from Ostrovní street, while the former gatehouse and side (service) entrance are reached from Národní třída, through the Institute of Endocrinology's reception.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Ursuline monastery located? In Prague's New Town, at Národní třída 8 and at Voršilská 3 and 5 and Ostrovní 11.

Who designed the Church of St. Ursula? Architect Marcantonio Canevalle, in 1699; construction was completed in 1704.

Can visitors see the inside of the church? The church still functions as a place of worship, and its Baroque frescoes and paintings by Jan Kryštof Liška and Petr Brandl can be seen inside — it's worth checking current opening times locally, as they may vary.

Does the Ursuline order still operate here? The buildings were formally returned to the order in 1991, but most of the former monastic premises are now leased to institutions and businesses unrelated to the Ursulines.

How do you reach the monastery from Národní třída? From that side, the entrance leads through the former gatehouse and the Institute of Endocrinology's reception; the monastery's main entrance, however, is on the courtyard side, from Ostrovní street.