The Australian actor Chris Hemsworth was in front of the camera here, the director Jan Hřebejk worked here, a scene of the film On the Western Front was filmed here, and the album was recently christened here by the Czech Eurovision representative band Vesna. The complex of the Beuron Monastery and the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary above Kinský Garden in Prague can enchant anyone, and so more and more chapters are being added to its rich history.
It is not easy to describe what Gabriel Loci is like. In a matter of minutes, you’ll move from the tranquil Garden of Eden up a wooden staircase straight out of the Harry Potter films to a space called the Autopsy Room, where techno parties and birthday parties are held. Past the Beuron frescoes, you pass through the preserved kitchen of the nuns and into the cellars with a touch of horror, accentuated by the darkness due to the bricked-up window. “That’s another one of those curiosities you wonder about: Why is it even here? And then you realise that the filmmakers are responsible,” says Magdaléna Dvorská, the manager of the Gabriel Loci complex, who guides us through the space.
It is the variety of spaces that is extremely attractive for film productions, Magdaléna explains, pointing to a small part of the courtyard behind the monastery where the producers of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier had their car blown up. He immediately adds that this was an exception, as the monastery is a protected monument. “The use of fire without our permission is strictly forbidden to the filmmakers inside the monastery, they have to have us approve every candle,” Magdaléna points out.
Next, it leads us to the Chandelier Hall, whose white walls look austere, but the opposite is true. Rare Beuron frescoes shine through under the wallpaper. “We won’t allow a nail in here,” says Magdaléna, adding that the filmmakers have given up shooting in the space and are using it for catering. In addition, however, wedding receptions are held here, also because the ceremonies can be held in the church, which is part of the complex.
Last year, about five films and twenty music videos or commercials were filmed at the monastery. Among the biggest productions was Netflix’s Extraction 2. “Here we call it Tiny Apartment,” Magdaléna describes the space she brings us to. They served as the office of the head of the Czech Post. This institution used to be housed in the monastery. For Extraction, the workroom, which resembles a small apartment in Smíchov, was transformed into a Georgian squat full of dirt and drugs. Nor would you perhaps recognise the beautiful church that underlines one of the final scenes, where it is, of course, in a semi-decayed state.
Netfilx also filmed the successful film On the Western Front Quiet, which captured the local Garden of Eden, here early last year. The nuns used to grow fruit trees there. Gabriel Loci is also popular with local filmmakers. Czech Television has its own room in the monastery for the Specialists series. It’s aptly nicknamed the autopsy room. The director Jan Hřebejk, who filmed his as yet unpublished miniseries Víťaz (The Winner) in Gabriel, also took advantage of the uniqueness of the space. It was originally supposed to be on HBO. But earlier this year it sold the rights to streaming service SkyShowtime.
Compared to American productions, domestic ones spend an average of 40 percent less on monastery rentals. Their approach is also different. Americans are much more demanding. As an example, Magdaléna cites the recent filming of Extraction 2, whose production wanted to know the origin of every statue in the church. It was therefore necessary to hire three art directors.
The historic complex was bought in 2020 by the investment company Cimex invest for CZK 353 million. From the very beginning, it made no secret of its intention to turn the monastery into a five-star hotel. Cimex is currently preparing to submit a proposal for a zoning decision, but the situation is being considerably prolonged by the conservationists and inflation. The rising cost estimate for the reconstruction has already exceeded the one billion mark.
In the meantime, until Cimex obtains permission for reconstruction, it is turning the monastery into a cultural centre. In addition to the film location, Gabriel Loci is also a place where you can go to an exhibition, a café, a summer cinema or a social event. The monastery has already hosted the popular Designblok, Mercedes-Benz Prague Fashion Week and the Happy End theatre performance.
Part of the site will remain open to the public after the hotel opens. It is mainly the church premises, which is used for religious services and other ceremonies. Filmmakers, on the other hand, will only be able to use the unique location for a few more years. Cimex is still in the preparatory phase with the long-term project of a luxury hotel and in the shorter timeframe of several years, the premises will still be available for film productions, events, festivals and cultural events, said Gabriel Loci PR manager Adéla Hansen.
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