Benedictine Monastery in Rajhrad
Monastic jewel by Santini
The Rajhrad Benedictine monastery was founded in 1405. It is one of the oldest and best known in Moravia. And the most beautiful! The original Romanesque and Gothic form was rewritten in the 18th century into the present Baroque complex by the renowned architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel.
The area with today's park landscaping is gradually awakening from a long purgatory when it was decimated by armies of all kinds. In the Middle Ages, monasteries used to be popular targets of war looting and Rajhrad enjoyed it to the limit. From the Mongol invasions to the army's stay under communism. That is why it is almost a miracle that ancient manuscripts, the precious foundation of the local library, have survived to this day.
The monastery can be reached in a few minutes from Brno by train. The international Brno-Vienna bike route also leads here. You can spend a whole afternoon here and not get bored. Make sure you go to the Museum of Literature in Moravia - The magnificent historical library will make you feel like you're in the Vatican. Vaults with frescoed ceilings, stucco decorations here and there, gold was not spared. Plus, oddities like a giant mechanical globe. The tour includes a glimpse into the period kitchen and the stylised monastery garden, where medicinal herbs are grown.
