The Dominicans opened a new bookstore by Josef Pleskot

Photo: Tomáš Souček

Prague - Today, the operation of Knihkupectví Oliva, focused on spiritual and philosophical literature, was ceremoniously launched in the premises of the St. Giles Monastery in the Old Town. The architect of the intimate space is Josef Pleskot, who is involved in the reconstruction of the entire Dominican monastery.
The monastery dates back to the first half of the 17th century, yet Pleskot came up with unconventional storage spaces for books. With their organic shapes, they fill the entire intimate space of the bookstore while remaining clear. "We sought inspiration in kaolin caves, which are polished and shaped by water. We aimed for a solution that was imaginative, modest, and functional," Pleskot described the interior.
"The next phase will be the restoration of the entire monastery at St. Giles, which will gradually open to the public and offer an inspiring place for meeting, dialogue, and silence right in the center of Prague," says Benedikt Mohelník, provincial of the Czech Dominican province. The restoration is set to begin next year; according to Mohelník, the project already has the necessary binding statement from Prague’s heritage officials.
Since last year, the Dominikánská 8 space has been functioning in the monastery complex, aiming to be a place for the meeting of the church and civil society, the professional community, and contemporary culture. The accessible areas consist primarily of the reconstructed baroque refectory, where concerts, lectures, and educational programs take place several times a month.
The Dominicans are the second mendicant order after the Franciscans, founded in 1216 by St. Dominic. They place great emphasis on education and the support of spiritual life. Members of the order, such as Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas, and Meister Eckhart, significantly co-created European thought. The Dominicans were introduced to Bohemia during the reign of Přemysl Otakar I around the year 1232.
Currently, there are male Dominican monasteries in Prague, Olomouc, Pilsen, Znojmo, Uherský Brod, and Jablonné in Podještědí. Today, nine Dominican brothers operate in Prague. The monastery, in close proximity to St. Giles Church, was returned to the order in 1990, in very poor condition like many similar ecclesiastical buildings. The Dominicans have since made essential repairs, and the baroque refectory and historical library have been restored.