St. Agnes Convent (Kláster Sv. Anezky Ceské)

The basics

Though part of the monastery was reconstructed in a Renaissance style in the 16th century, most of St. Agnes Convent retains its original Gothic design. Highlights include the 13th-century cloister—with its French Gothic Church of the Holy Saviour, containing the tombs of St. Agnes and Queen Cunegund—and the Church of St. Francis, where King Wenceslaus I is buried.

The complex is also home to the National Gallery’s art collection from the 13th to 16th centuries from Bohemia and central Europe, including more than 200 paintings and sculptures. Works from the reign of the Luxembourg and pieces associated with the rise of the Czech lands during the reigns of Vladislav and Ludwig Jagellon are considered national treasures.

Things to know before you go

• St. Agnes Convent is a religious site, so opt for modest attire that covers shoulders.

• You must purchase a ticket to visit the art gallery; the historic convent buildings are open to the public for free.

• The complex also includes an outdoor contemporary sculpture garden that is free to enter.

• The cloister, churches, and gallery are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

How to get there

St. Agnes Convent sits on the right bank of the Vltava River in the Na Františku district of Prague’s Staré Město. You can easily walk to the complex from many of the city’s top sights or reach it by public transport via metro A line (Staroměstská stop) and B line (Náměstí Republiky stop) plus several tram lines.

When to get there

Much of the complex and the gallery space are indoors, so St. Agnes Convent is a great spot to visit on a rainy day. The convent gardens are open daily all year round, while the complex and gallery are closed on Mondays. On the first Wednesday of every month, the complex stays open until 8pm.

Prague’s haunted highlights

Because of its long history and moody architecture, St. Agnes Convent is often a stop on ghost tours of Prague, along with other spooky sights. If you’re looking to explore the city’s dark past, visit haunted houses of worship like the Church of St. Castulus, where Prague’s most infamous executioner was buried, and the ghost-inhabited confines of St. Salvator Church and Church of Our Lady before Tyn.