History

Břevnov Monastery

During over a thousand years of history at Břevnov, which has been an important religious but also cultural and economic institution since its foundation, monastic life has been interrupted several times – most recently in 1950, when Břevnov Monastery, as well as other monasteries, was closed by the Communist government. The renewal of the Benedictine monastic communities in Břevnov and other places in our country, and the restoration of the monastic buildings, began in 1989 and has continued ever since.

The main mission of the monastery is the life of the monastic community in the spirit of the Rule of Saint Benedict – with monastic life combining first prayer and then work.

The monks of Břevnov Monastery administer the parishes of the Basilica of St. Margaret and the filial Church of Our Lady Victorious on White Mountain.

Since 1998 the Archabbey has published within the series Pietas benedictina books about monasticism, old Christian spirituality and current issues concerning Church life.

The monastic community has opened up a part of the monastery to the public. The tour includes the Romanesque crypt and baroque Basilica of St. Margaret. From 2004 to 2007 the organ in the monastic basilica was reconstructed, and the basilica, which is primarily a sacral place, became a popular venue for chiefly organ concerts.

The interior of the baroque prelature is also part of the tour. These representative halls of the monastery are used also for various social events – including concerts and other cultural entertainment programmes, lectures, as well as various presentations and banquets.

Within the area of Břevnov Monastery is also located the first Czech ecological hotel The Adalbert, the old Bohemian restaurant Klášterní Šenk and the Břevnov monastic St. Adalbert Brewery .

The Vojtěška pavilion called can be viewed in the monastic garden; accessibility to the garden is restricted by the daily order of the community, and at present also by ongoing construction work.

There is also a Sanctuary on White Mountain near the Břevnov Monastery. A part of it wasadapted for the use of Benedictine nuns from the Venio community .