Between September and October of 2024, the Friary of St. James in Prague entered a new phase in its long history. After its rooms were extensively renovated and adapted, the friary has regained its former glory and its spaces have taken on new functions.
The friary community has resumed its activities and many areas that are not used daily by the friars have been made available for public use. These spaces will now host educational and cultural initiatives, as well as support local businesses.
On September 28, 2024, an inauguration ceremony for the renovated spaces took place, attended by many distinguished guests. The business platform Helas has an agreement with the Province of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the Czech Republic to manage the spaces in harmony with the friars’ activities. Helas is responsible for implementing the revitalization project. Despite these new functions, an atmosphere conducive to spiritual life, visitor catechesis, and pastoral ministry in the adjacent basilica has been preserved.
The revitalization process coincided with the celebration of the great Franciscan Jubilee, which commemorates the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi receiving the stigmata, the 750th anniversary of the death of St. Bonaventure (the eminent Franciscan philosopher and theologian), and the 50th anniversary of the title of Minor Basilica being conferred on St. James Church. On September 19, 2024, a Mass was celebrated to mark the occasion, followed by an organ concert and a meeting with experts and historians.
The inauguration of the renovated spaces, held a week later (September 28), referenced these jubilee events. Guests had the opportunity to visit various sites including the Gothic cloister, the hall of John of Luxembourg, the salons of Elizabeth of Bohemia, the Hortus Angelicus garden, the coronation hall with its royal salon, and the Romanesque basement, where an exhibition of paintings made from projected light was presented.
The Rector of the St. James Basilica and Guardian of the friary, Friar Stanisław JAROMI, stressed the importance of opening these spaces to the wider public: “I am glad that these areas of the friary are opening to the public. Having the opportunity to connect with the rich history, spirituality and culture of this place is especially important today.”
The inauguration program also featured a fashion show by Jitka KLETT, entitled: “Art Fashion Show/Mezzoforte 2025.” The evening was enhanced by a wine-tasting event featuring select vintages and an exhibition of paintings of projected light by Lumia Frequency Art, which lit up the friary’s basement. Sculptures by Vojtěch ŠANDERA were showcased under the vaulted walkway of the cloister garden. Both exhibitions will remain open to visitors until the end of the year. Thanks to the agreement with the Helas business platform, the renovated spaces of the friary, including the reception rooms and halls, can now be reserved for cultural and social events.
The Friary of St. James in Prague is re-establishing itself as an important landmark on the city map, blending tradition with modernity while remaining responsive to the spiritual and cultural needs of residents and tourists alike.
Friar Piotr PAWLIK
