Žďár monastery

Žďár Monastery is a former Cistercian complex in the Vysočina region of the Czech Republic, founded in the mid-13th century and best known today for its Baroque rebuilding and the neighboring Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When was the monastery founded and by whom?

The Cistercian community was established in 1252 by Boček of Kunštát, a member of one of medieval Moravia's most influential noble families. The new foundation grew wealthy relatively quickly, thanks to the colonization of surrounding land that had previously been sparsely settled and thanks to mining activity in the area, which brought steady income already in the Middle Ages. Within a few generations the monastery ranked among the richest religious houses in the Czech lands.

How did it survive centuries of war and changing ownership?

The Hussite wars of the 15th century hit the monastery hard, as religious conflict swept across Bohemia and Moravia and left the community's buildings and estates badly damaged. In 1458 the property passed to King George of Poděbrady, who during his reign made efforts to restore the devastated complex. A further turning point came in the early 17th century, when the Žďár estate came under the control of Cardinal Franz von Dietrichstein. He formally dissolved the monastic community in 1614 and had the prelature rebuilt into a noble residence between 1614 and 1616.

What changed under Abbot Václav Vejmluva?

The monastery's greatest flourishing came between 1705 and 1738, under Abbot Václav Vejmluva. He brought in architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel, known for a distinctive style blending Baroque forms with Gothic elements, often called Baroque Gothic. Under Santini's direction, large parts of the monastery complex were rebuilt, giving it the appearance that still draws architects and art historians from around the world today.

What is the nearby chapel on Zelená hora?

The most famous result of Abbot Vejmluva's patronage is the Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk on Zelená hora (Green Mountain), built on an unusual and symbolic five-pointed star ground plan. Its cornerstone was laid on 16 May 1720, and the church was consecrated in 1722. The building has no direct parallel in European religious architecture and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994.

What happened to the monastery after it was dissolved?

Monastic life at Žďár continued until 1784, when Emperor Joseph II dissolved the community as part of his church reforms. Since then the complex has also been referred to as Žďár Chateau, and it has been protected as a cultural monument since 1970. Visitors today can explore both the chateau interiors and the nearby pilgrimage chapel, combining monastic history, Baroque architecture and the rolling landscape of the Vysočina region in a single visit.

Frequently asked questions

When was Žďár Monastery founded? In 1252, on the initiative of Boček of Kunštát, a member of an influential Moravian noble family.

Who redesigned the monastery in the Baroque style? Architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel, commissioned by Abbot Václav Vejmluva between 1705 and 1738.

Is the chapel on Zelená hora part of the monastery? Yes, it is a closely connected pilgrimage church built at the same abbot's initiative; it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

When did monastic life at Žďár come to an end? In 1784, when Emperor Joseph II dissolved the monastery as part of his church reforms.