Břevnov MonasteryAbout Břevnov Monastery
Břevnov Monastery is a Benedictine monastery in Prague founded in 993 and recognized as the oldest Benedictine house in Bohemia. It has served as a long-standing religious and cultural institution in the region.
Established in 993 by Saint Adalbert and Prince Boleslaus II as a Benedictine foundation, the monastery played an important role in early medieval Christianization and culture in Bohemia. Following centuries of activity, it underwent major Baroque-era rebuilding and has continued as a monastic community with periodic restorations.
The monastery sits in the Břevnov district of Prague, to the northwest of the historic city center, set on gently rising ground within an urban setting.
- Founding date: Founded in 993, it is the oldest Benedictine monastery in Bohemia and has been an active religious and cultural center for over a millennium.
What to See#
- Monastic complex and church: The Benedictine monastery complex includes a church and cloisters extensively rebuilt in Baroque style, with contributions from notable Bohemian architects during 17th and 18th century renovations.
Nearby Attractions to Břevnov Monastery
Best Time to Visit Břevnov Monastery
Best visited in spring or autumn for mild weather, smaller crowds, and the chance to catch liturgical life or brewery activity without the summer crush.
Weather & Climate near Břevnov Monastery
Břevnov Monastery's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 23°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -4° - 2° | -5° | 22 mm | overcast | 93% | 3.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 3° | -4° | 20 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.9h |
| March | Acceptable | 0° - 8° | 1° | 29 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 3° - 13° | 6° | 28 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 13.6h |
| May | Good | 8° - 19° | 13° | 68 mm | overcast | 73% | 3.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 15.3h |
| June | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 70 mm | overcast | 68% | 2.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 72 mm | partly cloudy | 64% | 2.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 15.7h |
| August | Very Good | 12° - 23° | 18° | 64 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 2.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.3h |
| September | Very Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 39 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Good | 5° - 13° | 7° | 29 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.6h |
| November | Poor | 1° - 6° | 0° | 30 mm | overcast | 90% | 3.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 3° | -4° | 26 mm | overcast | 93% | 3.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
How to Get to Břevnov Monastery
From central Prague take tram 8 or tram 20 toward Břevnov or Vozovna Střešovice and alight at the stop nearest the monastery; it is a short walk uphill from the tram stops in Prague 6. Taxis and rideshares from the city center take about 15-25 minutes depending on traffic.
Tips for Visiting Břevnov Monastery
- Visit the monastery in the morning when the church bells and Gregorian echoes feel less like soundtrack and more like a lived ritual.
- Ignore the souvenir stalls and seek out the brewery on the monastery grounds - Břevnovský klášterní pivovar revived monastic brewing in recent decades and pours a bright unfiltered lager.
- Bring modest dress if intending to enter church spaces; some chapels still function for local services.