The Cistercian Vyšší Brod Monastery is one of the most significant monastic complexes in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1259 by Vok I of Rožmberk, it has since been connected to the spiritual and cultural tradition of South Bohemia. The monastery is a national cultural monument and is famous especially for its monastery church, an extensive historical library, and the unique Záviš Cross reliquary, one of the most valuable medieval goldsmith masterpieces in the country.
Vyšší Brod Monastery was a Cistercian monastery from the beginning, which followed strict monastic rules, emphasizing prayer, work, and education. Monks practiced agriculture, crafts, and above all, a scriptorium, which made the monastery an important center of literature. Over the centuries, it experienced periods of prosperity and decline – it was plundered during the Hussite Wars, and in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was rebuilt in Baroque style, gaining its current appearance. In 1950, the monastery was forcibly dissolved, but after 1990, the Cistercians returned and restored both spiritual life and the care of the extensive grounds.
The grounds are an architecturally exceptionally valuable complex, in which Gothic, Baroque, and later architectural phases intertwine. The dominant feature is the monastery Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a triple-nave Gothic basilica with rich Baroque decoration. In the crypt lies the Rožmberk Tomb, the final resting place of ten generations of the Rožmberk family.
Among the most valuable artifacts of the monastery is the Záviš Cross reliquary, one of the rarest medieval goldsmith masterpieces in the Czech Republic. A great attraction is also the extensive monastery library with more than 70,000 volumes, which is one of the largest and best-preserved monastery libraries in the country. The complex also includes the Postal Museum with an exhibition of stagecoaches, historical mailboxes, and stamps.
Vyšší Brod Monastery is open to the public from spring to autumn and offers several guided tour routes. During the visit, you can see the church, the extensive library, the gallery, the Rožmberk Tomb, and the exhibition featuring the famous Záviš Cross. Tours are available in Czech and English, and opening hours vary by season. Vyšší Brod is also a popular starting point for paddlers on the Vltava River, so there is a lively and friendly atmosphere here in summer.
A visit to the monastery will leave you with an unforgettable experience. If you head to the Lake Lipno region, here are also other tips for sights you can see.
After visiting the monastery, it is nice to have a place where the whole family can unwind and relax. Our modern family-friendly apartments are located only 31 km from Vyšší Brod, so you can be with us in 30 minutes.
A large fenced garden, a children’s playground, a saltwater pool, and a peaceful setting await you, where both children and parents can rest.
Whether you plan trips, cycling routes, experiences with kids, or swimming at the beach, everything is within easy reach.
Book your stay in time, before it gets fully booked.
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