Christianeum (Jimramov)

Christianeum is a historic former monastery building standing on Náměstí Jana Karafiáta, the main square of Jimramov in the Vysočina region of the Czech Republic. This late 19th-century structure has shaped the character of the town center for well over a century and remains one of Jimramov's notable historic landmarks, even though its purpose today is very different from the one it was built for.

Where does the name Christianeum come from?

The building was constructed between 1885 and 1889 on the initiative of Count Egbert Belcredi, as a memorial to his late wife Kristina, née Nostitz. The name Christianeum derives from her name. From the outset, the foundation was a personal, commemorative gesture rather than an ordinary construction project — an aristocrat's tribute to his deceased spouse.

What was the building originally used for?

To run the institution, Count Belcredi invited nuns from the congregation of School Sisters of Notre Dame. The sisters cared for an orphanage for children and, alongside that, ran a school of manual handicraft work for girls who had already finished primary school. Christianeum therefore combined the functions of a children's home and a vocational-educational institution — a fairly progressive setup for the region in the second half of the 19th century.

What happened to the monastery after 1950?

After the communist regime took power, the nuns were forced to leave the building in 1950 and the congregation's activity there ended. The former monastery rooms were then turned into a kindergarten, which operated on the site for decades. Following the political changes after 1990, ownership of the building returned to the Belcredi family, descendants of the original founder. The kindergarten continued operating until 1995, when it was finally closed.

What is Christianeum used for today?

Since 2003, the former monastery premises have housed a physiotherapy and postural training center, which uses methods including the Vojta method. A building that for more than a century served child welfare and, later, preschool education, now serves the health and rehabilitation needs of the local region. It is an example of a historic structure being adapted to contemporary needs while retaining its original form and its central location on the town square.

Where is Christianeum located?

The building stands directly on Náměstí Jana Karafiáta, the main square of Jimramov — a small town in the Vysočina region also known for its Protestant and Evangelical traditions. Christianeum lies within Jimramov's urban heritage zone and is one of the landmarks worth noticing while walking through the historic town center.

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Christianeum mean? The name comes from Kristina (Latin: Christiana), the name of Count Egbert Belcredi's late wife, in whose memory the building was erected.

When was the building constructed? Christianeum was built between 1885 and 1889.

Who originally ran the institution at Christianeum? Nuns from the congregation of School Sisters of Notre Dame, who cared for an orphanage and ran a handicraft school for girls.

Can visitors tour Christianeum today? The building currently operates as a physiotherapy center and is not a museum or tourist attraction, but it is worth seeing from the outside while walking around Jimramov's town square.

Who owns the building now? After 1990, Christianeum returned to the ownership of the Belcredi family, descendants of the original founder.