Památky středních Čech 2025, 39(1)

Klášterní Skalice
The Transformation of the Cistercian Monastery from the Middle Ages to Modern Times

Alena Nachtmannová

The Cistercian Monastery in Klášterní Skalice was the earliest foundation of this order in the Czech lands. Nevertheless, it was a significant institution under the personal patronage of Wenceslas IV. Both the size of the initiated structures and their artistic quality reflected this reality. However, the monastery remained unfinished and vanished completely during the Hussite Era. During the 15th and 16th centuries, several attempts were made by the neighbouring Catholic noblemen and the parent monastery in Sedlec near Kutná Hora to renovate it, but all efforts were unsuccessful. It was only after the Battle of White Mountain that the local monastic community was restored as part of the re-catholicisation efforts, and some buildings of the monastery were constructed. However, the intended size of the monastery was never fully materialised. As a result of Joseph II’s reforms, monastic life ceased, and the local structures continued to be used only as outbuildings for a neighbouring farmyard. Fortunately, the former monastery buildings, chapel, and remains of the original monastic church have partially survived and exhibit the high artistic quality and craftsmanship of the former builders. Thus far, the Skalice monastery has not received much attention. Therefore, this study, based on archival sources, seeks to fill in some of the gaps in its history.

Keywords: Cistercians – medieval monasteries – Dětřich of Portice – Sedlec Monastery – re-catholicisation – Joseph II’s reforms – farmyards

Published: July 1, 2025  Show citation