Monestary in Zlíchov

The architectural design of the Dominican monastery in Zlíchov in Prague is located in the immediate vicinity of the Church of St. John and St. Philip. Designed for 15 monks, the monastery draws on a traditional square plan with a central ambit and a garden of paradise for prayer, silence, contemplation and rest. Simplicity, central symmetry, spiritual order and serenity, which are the essence of Dominican life, are the main ideas behind the design. The public has access to the library, while the monks enter through a separate entrance from the church. The monastery and the church are connected by a wooden path, respecting the natural context of the place. The ambit is used for contemplation by walking, while the terrace surrounding the monastery expresses the unity of the community.