Klášter dam Srdce Ježíšova Sacré Coeur, Religious monastery in Smíchov, Czech Republic.
The Convent of the Sacred Heart, known as Klášter Sacré Coeur, is a classical-style former monastery complex at Holečkova 31 in Smíchov, Prague. Its neo-Gothic Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord, built 1882–1884 to a design by Beuron Benedictine P. G. Béthun, has a saddle roof and a square prism tower topped with a cross and round clock. Inside are wall paintings in the Beuron school style; a fountain and small pond survive from the former garden.
The complex was built in 1872 on land of Count Clary's former vineyard estates and the villa of factory owner Riedl of Riedelstein, on the initiative of Josefina Goetzová, to the design of architect Václav Láska, with money from the dowager empress Marie Anna. It housed a boarding school educating girls from noble families in religion, French and German. The neo-Gothic church was added in 1882–1884 to a design by the Beuron Benedictine P. G. Béthun. In 1919 the German-speaking nuns left for Austria or Germany and the order sold the complex to the state.
The site belonged to the French congregation Dames du Sacré Coeur; in 1919 the German-speaking nuns left for Austria or Germany and the order sold the complex to the state. The church and the Chapel of St John Nepomuk were deconsecrated, and altar paintings, including works by Lev Lerch, were sold. Since 1998 the buildings have been privately owned and are used for weddings, auctions, charity events and fashion shows.
The complex is open today for various events including weddings, auctions, and fashion shows, making it an active venue. Visitors should check ahead about scheduled events, as access depends on what is happening at the time of visit.
Empress Dowager Marie Anna gave the church relics of the Roman protomartyr Flavia Victoria, brought from the catacombs in Rome together with a tombstone inscription plaque. The relics were placed in the main altar, and the plaque was set into the wall of the altar table.
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