First construction period
The exact year when the convent was founded is not known, however it was presumably in 1231, after the negotiations about Agnes‘ marriage were completed.[2] Agnes‘ brother, king Wenceslaus I of Bohemia donated the ground on the bank of Vltava river, which was very convenient for a hospital. Simultaneously, Wenceslaus licensed the convent with many privileges. One of the oldest parts of the convent of St. Agnes was the main sacred area, the church of St. Francis,[3] which was built without presbytery at first. Along with the church, a spacious east wing of the convent was built. The construction was rather quick and in 1234,[4] the convent was consecrated. In 1237, the convent was given many significant privilegies by Pope Gregory IX.