Klášter u Panny Marie Sněžné, Gothic monastery in New Town, Prague, Czech Republic
The Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Snow, between Wenceslas and Jungmann Squares, was founded in 1347 as the first Carmelite convent in Bohemia. Its church, rebuilt between 1607 and 1610, holds a Baroque altar installed in 1649–1651, the largest altar structure in Prague. The adjoining Baroque garden, reworked several times, is now a public park with paved paths.
The monastery was founded in the 14th century as an important religious institution in Prague's developing New Town. Subsequent renovations added Baroque elements that shaped the appearance visible to visitors today.
The monastery church is dedicated to Our Lady of the Snow, a title recalling the Roman basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where a miraculous August snowfall is said to have marked the site. The church's Baroque altar, installed between 1649 and 1651, is the largest altar structure in Prague. The garden, now a public park, was originally a Carmelite herb and vegetable garden from 1348.
The monastery is located at Jungmann Square in New Town and is easily accessible on foot. Visitors can enter during open hours to view the interior, and those interested in religious services will find masses held regularly throughout the week.
A portal on the northern wall features carved figures from the founding era that many visitors overlook while exploring the main interior. Taking time to examine this entrance closely reveals details about the building's original purpose and patrons.
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