History

The hotel’s roots go all the way back to 1227. Founded as a Romanesque church by Benedictine monks, the monastery received royal patronage from Charles IV and evolved into an intellectual and spiritual centre, closely connected to the early years of Charles University. 

Malá Strana, a district founded in 1257 as a merchant settlement, provides the backdrop to the hotel. Both the district and the monastery were destroyed in the Hussite Wars, and were reborn during the 17th-century, with Malá Strana becoming an exclusive location for aristocratic palaces, embassies and Baroque grandeur. The Baroque era also transformed the architectural elements of the monastery, including the archways, cloisters and vaulted ceilings we still see today. Cultivated gardens, such as Wallenstein and the Vrtba Gardens, distinguish Malá Strana, serving as verdant sanctuaries in the heart of the city. 

Today, the Augustine order continues its spiritual presence in the complex, with dedicated residences for the monks, and the church still serves as a parish church. Our rooms and suites retain the authentic medieval character of the monks’ former living quarters, featuring original vaulted ceilings, wooden beams, and restored 17th-century frescoes. Guests can enjoy exclusive tours of the 13th-century Monastic Library, a focal point of the property’s heritage, which preserves its original 1603 marble portal and Baroque oak shelving. The Refectory Bar is housed in the monastery’s former dining hall, defined by barrel-vaulted ceilings and restored Baroque frescoes. The interiors also take inspiration from Czech Cubism, the avant-garde 1920s art movement that swept across Prague, effortlessly complementing the original medieval and Baroque features, and bridging the building’s history with the city’s artistic identity. A seamless blend of history, art and tranquillity, Augustine Hotel stands as a living testament to Prague’s heritage and culture.