Franciscan Monastery in Cheb

The Franciscan Monastery in Cheb is one of the most valuable Gothic sacred sites in the Karlovy Vary Region. The complex with the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary was founded before 1256 on today's Františkánské náměstí by the Friars Minor, and its church belongs with Jihlava and Teplá to the oldest Gothic hall churches in Bohemia and Moravia.

The restored church was solemnly consecrated in 1285 in the presence of King Rudolf of Habsburg. In 1465 the Cheb Franciscans joined the stricter Observant branch of the order. After centuries of monastic life, the monastery was forcibly closed in 1951 during communist Action K and the friars had to leave. Today the complex belongs to the town of Cheb and is open to the public as a cultural monument.

What you can visit

Visitors can see several parts of the complex:

• Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary - a three-aisled Gothic hall church with a valuable interior
• Cloister - one of the most atmospheric architectural parts of the monastery, with 14th-century wall paintings
• Monastery library
• Paradise courtyard with the well known as Krásné pastýřky

Opening hours

Admission is free.

Practical information

The monastery stands on Františkánské náměstí in the historic centre of Cheb, close to the town's other major sights. It combines well with the Špalíček merchant houses, Cheb Castle, or a short trip to the spa colonnades of nearby Františkovy Lázně.

Directions and contacts

• Address: Františkánské nám. 160/14, 350 02 Cheb
• GPS: 50.0778, 12.3679
• Tourist Information Centre Cheb: tic.cheb.cz/cile/frantiskansky-klaster/
• Site phone: +420 602 169 298