The Prague Archbishopric does not rule out the return of St. George's Monastery to the state

Prague - The Archdiocese of Prague does not rule out the possibility of returning St. George's Monastery to the state. The significant monument was taken over from the Administration of Prague Castle in March 2016. At that time, it committed to repairing and making it accessible to the public within five years. However, the oldest Czech monastery is deteriorating, despite the fact that a contractual penalty was part of the agreement between the church and then-President Miloš Zeman. The Administration of Prague Castle, in accordance with the concluded agreement on the transfer of property, is applying the agreed contractual penalty of one million crowns, starting from the year 2021.

"The Jiřský Monastery, which the church received as part of the restitution, was in a very poor condition at the time we took it over. We are diligently seeking a solution to the complicated situation. If we cannot find a way to reconstruct and utilize the property that is acceptable to all parties involved, its return to the state would also be considered," said Jiří Prinz, spokesman for the archdiocese, to ČTK. The castle's reaction is being inquired by ČTK.

Eight years ago, the church also acquired, in addition to St. George's Monastery, the New Provostry, known as the Mocker Houses, and the Monastery of All Saints. The transfer of these buildings took place outside of church restitution, was not subject to the restitution law, and did not require government approval.

According to information from the daily Právo, there is currently an investor, but it is not yet possible to disclose their identity. A response and approval from the Vatican is awaited. The archdiocese did not specify how much the reconstruction of the monastery would approximately cost due to ongoing negotiations.

St. George's Monastery is a former women's Benedictine monastery next to St. George's Basilica. It is located in the central part of the Prague Castle complex. The initial basilica of St. George was founded by Duke Vratislav I sometime before his death in 921. The construction was completed by Duke Wenceslas, who had his grandmother Ludmila buried there in 925, and on that occasion, the church was consecrated. The significance of the building in the following years is evidenced, among other things, by the existence of a choir of priests - canons, who formed the ecclesiastical center even before the establishment of the bishopric in Prague.

The spaces were adapted for exhibition purposes of the National Gallery from 1969 to 1975 according to the design of architect František Cubr. A collection of Czech art from the Middle Ages through Baroque to the 19th century was displayed across three floors. The exhibition of medieval art was later moved to the expanded form to the Convent of St. Agnes. In 2012, due to the unsatisfactory condition of the building, the exhibition of 19th-century art was closed and relocated to the Salm Palace.