The Architecture of the Gothic Cloisters of the Dominican Nuns in Bohemia and Moravia

The Architecture of the Gothic Cloisters of the Dominican Nuns in Bohemia and Moravia

Klára Mezihoráková

The theme of the book is the mediaeval architecture of the convents of Dominican nuns in Bohemia and Moravia. Until now there had been no comprehensive monograph devoted to the convents of this female order, in spite of the fact that it was an important phenomenon in the mediaeval period – by the mid-14th century nine convents of Dominican nuns had been founded in the Czech lands, a relatively large number. The book concentrates on the architecture of the order that is still in existence, which today consists of only two complexes – the former convent of St. Catherine in Olomouc and the former convent of St. Anne in the Old Town district of Prague. These convents have in-depth chapters devoted to them in the book, which outline the history and architectural development of their buildings, in particular the two churches, which have been preserved as relatively integral Gothic constructions and are thus important examples of the mediaeval architecture of this Mendicant order. But the convents that no longer exist are not neglected, and the emphasis is on placing the entire group of Bohemian and Moravian convents in the context of the architecture of religious orders in Central Europe. An important motif followed in the text is the issue of specific adaptations to the construction of the convent buildings and churches of Dominican nuns, reflecting the requirement of strict enclosure for the sisters, and questions relating to the functions of the individual rooms.

First edition, Czech, English and German summaries, 223 p., color illustrations, index of names and places, Praha 2016
ISBN 978-80-86890-82-1