Location: South Bohemia Region Map
Found: 1259
Tel. 380 746 627
Open:
May- Sept 9am- 4:15pm Tue- Sat, 1:15pm- 4:15 pm Sun
Oct- Apr by appointments
Vyšší Brod Monastery (Vyšebrodský klášter), also known as Hohenfurth Abbey, is a historic Cistercian monastery situated on the right bank of the Vltava River in the southwestern part of the town of Vyšší Brod, in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. Founded in 1259, it stands as the oldest and southernmost Cistercian abbey in Bohemia, recognized as a national cultural monument and serving as a key spiritual and historical site in the Šumava Mountains near the Austrian border. The monastery complex, built from local granite, encompasses a church, library, convent buildings, and gardens, blending Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo elements while housing significant art collections and manuscripts. Today, it remains an active religious community, home to a small group of Cistercian monks, and attracts visitors for its architectural beauty, historical significance, and serene location.
The monastery was established in 1259 by Vok of Rosenberg (from the
noble Vítkovci clan) and his wife Hedwig of Schaunberg, inviting monks
from the Wilhering Abbey in Austria to create a family monastery for the
Rosenbergs. Construction spanned over a century, with the abbey church
completed in the mid-14th century. It served as a burial place for 38
Rosenberg family members until 1611, including Queen Viola of Těšín. The
abbey prospered economically, managing 105 villages, two towns, a
brewery (first mentioned in 1380), mills, and workshops.
Throughout
its history, the monastery faced numerous challenges: it survived
Hussite attacks in the 15th century, a fire in 1536, and the Thirty
Years' War. In the 18th century, it underwent Baroque renovations.
However, it was abolished twice—first in 1941 under Nazi occupation,
when monks were interned and the buildings repurposed, and again in 1950
by the communist regime, leading to a 40-year period of desertion. After
the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the Cistercians returned in 1990,
resuming monastic life, with property restitution completed in 2016. Key
figures include former abbot Leopold Wackarž and current Prior Brother
Justýn Berka, who joined post-communism. Today, it is the only surviving
male Cistercian community in the Czech Republic, with about ten monks
living according to the Rule of St. Benedict.
The monastery exemplifies Gothic architecture with French influences, particularly in the abbey church—a 52-meter-long, 17.5-meter-high Hallenkirche with a triple nave, transept, and tall, sleek windows with traceries in the presbytery. Flanking chapels feature unique triangular ground plans, and the main tower, added in 1860, rises 34 meters. Baroque elements appear in the early Baroque high altar (1644–1646) and Rococo bookcases in the library (1756). The complex includes defensive walls, the Renaissance Rosenberg Gate with frescoes, a courtyard fountain depicting St. Leopold, and Gothic cellars. The overall design reflects Cistercian asceticism, harmoniously integrated into the Vltava River landscape.
The abbey church, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is
a highlight with its Early Baroque altar featuring gilded wood statues
of saints like Bernard and Benedict, and the side altar housing the
Gothic panel painting "Madonna of Vyšší Brod" (after 1400), depicting
the Virgin Mary against a golden background. Other chapels include those
of St. Benedict, St. Bernard, and the Virgin Mary.
The monastic
library, the third-largest in the Czech Republic with over 70,000
volumes, is a treasure trove spanning from the 13th century, including
manuscripts like an 8th-century parchment fragment of the Epistle to the
Thessalonians, a 14th-century Latin Bible, and university theses on
silk. Divided into the Library Corridor, Philosophers’ Hall (with
ceiling frescoes and scientific books), and Theological Hall (featuring
Bibles in 40 languages and a fresco of young Jesus), it boasts Rococo
interiors.
Art collections in the Gothic and Picture Galleries
include the Záviš Cross—a gold relic with 51 precious stones and 208
pearls, possibly a Hungarian coronation cross—and works by the Master of
the Třeboň Altar, Petr Brandl, Jan Kupecký, and Norbert Grund. The
Rosenberg Oratory displays the cross for meditation, and a Postal Museum
occupies the former abbot’s house. Exhibits also feature Baroque
artifacts, porcelain, and Rosenberg tomb surveys.
Rooted in Cistercian traditions, the monastery emphasizes prayer, work, and contemplation, with daily Latin Masses and a routine starting at 3:15 a.m. It hosts guided tours in multiple languages, showcasing its history and collections, and occasional events in the courtyard. As a cultural hub, it preserves medieval art and manuscripts, drawing visitors interested in Bohemian heritage.
The monastery functions as an active religious site, with monks committed to "stabilitas loci" (stability of place), and is open to tourists, particularly German and Czech speakers. Guided tours (about 60-90 minutes) cover the church, library, galleries, and more, available from April to October, with special Christmas tours. It is near attractions like Lipno Reservoir and Český Krumlov, making it a peaceful stop for cultural exploration. For details on hours and fees, visit the official website.