Klášter Dolní Ročov

Dolní Ročov Monastery (Klášter Dolní Ročov) is a former Augustinian monastery complex in the village of Ročov, in the Louny district of northwestern Czechia. The two tall towers of the monastery church are visible from a distance, as the complex sits at the foot of a wooded hill.

Who founded the monastery in Ročov?

The monastery was founded in 1373 by Albrecht the Elder of Kolowrat, a member of a powerful Bohemian noble family. The foundation received written approval from Emperor Charles IV and was intended for twelve Augustinian hermit friars. Albrecht of Kolowrat asked to be buried in the monastery after his death, and his tombstone survives in the church to this day.

What happened to the monastery over the centuries?

The village of Ročov first grew up around a fortified stronghold (tvrz), probably dating to the early 14th century, and only later expanded around the Augustinian monastery itself.

During the Hussite Wars the monastery suffered severe damage and was abandoned by the friars. It was not rebuilt until the 16th century, and only regained its former importance in the 17th century. That prosperity did not last long: in 1631, Saxon troops attacked Ročov, plundering the monastery and partially destroying it.

Where does the monastery's current baroque appearance come from?

In the early 18th century the complex underwent a thorough baroque reconstruction designed by the architect Giovanni Santini. The monastery church, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, was built between 1746 and 1765 to plans by Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, one of the leading architects of Czech Baroque.

What became of the monastery after 1950?

In 1950 the communist authorities dissolved the monastery. The buildings were subsequently used as a prison, then as army barracks, and later as a children's psychiatric hospital.

Today the extensive monastery complex stands abandoned. Public events are occasionally held on the grounds, including concerts and farmers' fairs.

What can visitors see on site?

The centerpiece of the complex is the imposing Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, with its two tall towers visible above the treeline from far away. Inside, the tombstone of the founder, Albrecht the Elder of Kolowrat, has been preserved. The whole monastery stretches out at the foot of a wooded hill, giving the site a distinctive, picturesque silhouette.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Dolní Ročov Monastery located? In the village of Ročov, in the Louny district, in the Ústí nad Labem region of northwestern Czechia.

Who founded the monastery, and when? It was founded in 1373 by Albrecht the Elder of Kolowrat, with the written approval of Emperor Charles IV, for twelve Augustinian hermit friars.

Is the monastery still used by a religious order today? No. The monastery was dissolved in 1950, and its buildings later served as a prison, army barracks, and a psychiatric hospital for children. The complex now stands abandoned, though it occasionally hosts public events.

Who designed the monastery church? The baroque Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built between 1746 and 1765 to designs by Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, while the earlier reconstruction of the whole complex in the early 18th century was designed by Giovanni Santini.