Porta Coeli in Předklášteří

Porta Coeli in Předklášteří is one of the most significant architectural monuments in the Czech Republic. When you visit it, you will realize why. As early as the 13th century, it was founded as a Cistercian monastery for women by Queen Constance. She is also buried here with her son Přemysl. A community of Cistercian sisters still lives here today.

The Gothic portal with rich ornamentation in the western facade will take your breath away. The Chapter hall, where you can see a reading desk made of stone, is one of the most precious parts of the monastery. The atmosphere is so convincing that after a while you will feel as if you can see a nun in a modest robe bending over a precious book.

In addition to the well-maintained Romanesque-Gothic core with a unique portal, other buildings have been preserved to this day, too: a Baroque granary, a former brewery, several gardens and parts of the fortification wall. In addition to the timelessly beautiful Gothic style and the oldest Romanesque style, the complex also shows the other main styles: visitors enter through a Baroque gate, see the above-mentioned Romanesque-Gothic core and admire the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles on other building extensions.

There are guided tours through the Gothic core of the monastery every hour (a minimum of three visitors required). You can see a church, a Chapter hall and a beautiful cloister with a garden of paradise, which will bring even non-believers into a state of contemplation. There are four permanent exhibitions and numerous seasonal exhibitions in the Podhorácké Museum located in the building of the former provost’s office.

We recommend that you complete your meditation with a worldly and pleasant visit to the Monastery Café or Monastery Brewery!