‘The Message of the Minorites’: Prague monastery opens to the public with largest outdoor escape game in Czechia
A couple of streets away from Prague’s Old Town Square, the Minorite Monastery of St. James has at last opened to the public. It now offers the largest outdoor escape game in Czechia, inspired by the 800-year history of the site, and playable via WhatsApp chat.
The imposing Church of St. James the Greater and the adjacent Minorite Monastery sit on the streets Malá Štupartská and Jakubská, opposite one of the entrances to the ancient Týn courtyard. The church was founded by King Wenceslas I in 1232. Ten years later, by 1244, it had become a major base for the Franciscans, known officially as the Order of Friars Minor – hence ‘Minorite'.
The church and the monastery are among the most interesting medieval monuments of Prague, built in a mixture of architectural styles, from Gothic to Baroque. The construction of the church started in 1319, was completed only in 1374, and then was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the early 18th century, following a serious fire that engulfed that part of Prague.
It was also the site of grand events throughout Czech history, such as the weddings and burials of monarchs. In 1311, the wedding feast of King John of Luxembourg and Elizabeth of Bohemia took place there, through which the throne of Bohemia passed to the Luxembourg dynasty. Many years later, the body of John’s son, the famous Charles IV, was displayed there in 1378, surrounded by five hundred candles.
With such an impressive history, it seems a shame that the Minorite Monastery was for a long time closed to the public, except for occasional educational and musical activities. However, now it’s open for visitors, with an additional attraction: a mystery game!
Played via WhatsApp chat, ‘The Message of the Minorites’ will have visitors searching for hidden clues and solving tasks over the large area of the monastery complex, which is still partly a working centre and home for Franciscans.
The real history of the site from the past 800 years is also woven into the game. The managing director of the public side of the monastery, Helena Kohoutová, described what players of the game can expect:
“They will go into our two gardens, the Garden of Eden and the Herb Garden, and the Romanesque cellars, which are the oldest part of the Minorite Monastery. They will walk through the Gothic cloister, the arcaded corridor, the Hall of John of Luxembourg and the Coronation Hall, which is on the first floor. It’s a summer refectory and it’s one of the largest halls among European monasteries. So it’s a combination of education, experience, and perception of the genius loci of the place. Everyone will find something for themselves.
“You don't have to be a historian or deeply educated in history, because the individual questions tell you what to do and always give you recommendations on where to go next. It's a very pleasant and nice way to play. You will be guided by, for example, Fra Angelico from Florence, Francis of Assisi, John of Luxembourg, and Petrarch.”
Players can book a time and buy the game via WhatsApp, or directly from the info kiosk at the monastery.
