REVITALIZATION OF THE BROUMOV MONASTERY 2013–2014

A N O P P O R T U N I T Y T H AT

O N LY C O M E S O N C E

19912006

DEVASTATION

After years of neglect under the Communist regime from

1948 to 1989, the Velvet Revolution ushers in a new era

for the Broumov Monastery with its restitution to the

Order of Saint Benedict. The monastery is once again

in the hands of owners who seek a meaningful way to

use the building.

2007

DEVASTATION

By 2007 little remains of the Broumov monastic community

and the monastery is mostly empty and unused. Visitor tours

offer a glimpse of some of the artifacts. The Broumov

Municipal Museum is still housed in part of the building.

Several citizens’ groups are allowed to use part of the monastery.

Broumov lies far from the main tourist routes. It is in the process

of searching for a path to follow.

20042012

THE PATH

Part of the façade is repaired using government subsidies,

but the interior of the building continues to deteriorate.

The Abbey finds a reliable partner – the Broumov Regional

Development Agency (APRB - a 501 (c) 3 equivalent

non-profit organization) – and opens the monastery to the

public for cultural and recreational events. More and more

residents and visitors of Broumov gradually discover the

monastery.

Great things begin with small steps.

20042012

THE PATH

• 2004 Vinum et Cetera – The first public event in the monastery, a presentation

of high quality Czech and Moravian wines supported by the Wine Salon of the

Czech Republic

• 2006 Garden* - The monastery garden is opened to the public

• 2006 Small summer theater festival – The Town of Broumov holds a weeklong

theater festival in the monastery courtyard

• 2008 Broumov Regional Development Center – The monastery high school

is given a new use and revitalized

• 2011 Craft and advent markets in the monastery garden and courtyard, University

of the Third Age, Benedictine Wine Cellars – repair and revitalization of the cellars,

wine tasting events

• 2012 Visitors’ Center, responsibility for visitor tours, Jazz Café and Art Café,

“Galerie Dům” Contemporary Art Gallery, Dientzenhofer Café offering a wide

selection of refreshments in a quiet and relaxing environment

2009

It pays to be active.

HOPE

Thanks to the work of the past few years, the Abbey is afforded the opportunity to apply

for a subsidy to build an Educational and Cultural Center to develop and strengthen its

activities to date.

A CZK 250 million subsidy is awarded, which will enable reconstruction of the

monastery garden and a significant part of the interior. The emerging Educational

and Cultural Center is dedicated to the fine arts and environmental education. The

monastery and the surrounding Benedictine cultural landscape will serve as an

inspiration – both as an environment and as a textbook.

The Educational and Cultural Center will strengthen the role of one of the region’s key

monuments, imbuing it with a rich new life and purpose.

2014

HOPE?

The monument’s status as a protected landmark has enabled

the subsidy. However, the subsidy cannot be used to finance

a project that would ensure the monument’s economic

sustainability. We need to develop visitor accommodations

within the facility, which have been designed and approved

for construction but cannot be built using the subsidy.

That’s why we need your help!

Help us save this unique monument and its life, for today and

tomorrow. Join us in investing in our shared future.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST

THE HISTORY OF THE BROUMOV MONASTERY

9931253

HISTORY: EARLY MEDIEVAL ERA

993 Ordo Sancti Benedikti (OSB), the Order of Saint Benedict - Saint Vojtěch, the

Bishop of Prague, and Boleslaus II, Duke of Bohemia, found the first monastery in

Bohemia, in Břevnov near Prague. The first stone church is built in Břevnov in the 11th

century. The church’s crypt has been preserved under the presentday basilica.

1213 The Benedictines settle in Policka and Broumov. Ottokar I of Bohemia gives

the Benedictines of Břevnov a vast, uninhabited area in northeast Bohemia

(the Broumov region).

1253 The first reliable written document about the Policka and Broumov land grant

to the Břevnov monastery. A garrison is built in Broumov to ensure administration and

protection of property.

12551648

HISTORY: LATE MEDIEVAL ERA

1255 The town of Broumov is founded. German settlers arrive. The market in Plhov

is moved to Police nad Metují, a decree is issued by King Ottokar the II.

1301–1322 The wooden castle is reconstructed into a Gothic stone structure.

The monastery church – first mentioned in 1357 – is consecrated to Saint Vojtěch.

Baroque renovation of the church is initiated under Abbot Tomáš Sartoria. The most

prominent builders of the day, Martin Allia of Löwenthal and Krystof and Kilian Ignac

Dientzenhofer, take part in the work. The interior decoration featuring frescoes

and altar paintings by V.V. Reiner and the sacred objects stored in the church are

unique and valuable.

1477 The Codex Gigas, the largest handwritten book in the world, is transferred to the

Broumov monastery. It was purchased by the monastery in 1295 and remained there

until 1593. It was taken to Stockholm as war loot in 1648.

16691700

HISTORY: 1600 - 1900

1669 The exterior of the monastery changes in line with its growing importance and

administrative and educational roles. The monastery grows and increases in size and

the Church of Saint Vojtěch is decorated. Two paintings depicting the monastery date

from the latter half of the 17th century.

1679 A new kitchen garden is established on the north side of the monastery beyond

the moat, which was a relic from the monastery garrison.

1700 Otmar Daniel Zinke is elected Abbot. He studied at the Broumov monastery

high school and was one of the most significant abbots of the Břevnov-Broumov

Benedictines. He successfully led the Broumov monastery for 38 years. He also

imparted a High Baroque style to the monastery and the Broumov region.

19181946

HISTORY: THE MODERN ERA

1918 The Austro-Hungarian Empire is broken up. The independent republic of

Czechoslovakia is formed. Land reforms are announced. The Benedictine Order loses

most of its land in Broumov, which is divided up and sold by the state.

1945 World War II ends. The monastic community is expelled and the German monks

are deported to Bavaria.

1946 Czech-American Benedictines from the St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illinois

come to Broumov. They play an active role in revitalizing the monastery and the border

region. A Boy Scout troop is established at the monastery.

19481950

HISTORY: THE MODERN ERA

1948 The Benedictine Order loses more of its land through revisions to the land

reforms of 1918 and is left with just 69 hectares. The abbey is abolished by the

Communist regime and the Benedictines, who are US citizens, are expelled from

Czechoslovakia.

1950 Monasteries throughout the country are attacked and occupied. The Broumov

monastery becomes an internment camp for priests and monks and later for nuns.

After they are evicted the Ministry of the Interior uses the monastery as an archive and

regional secret police headquarters. The Broumov Municipal Museum is also housed

there (and still is). The building and garden fall into disrepair while the interior and

depository are pillaged and ruined.

1989

HISTORY: END OF THE COMMUNIST ERA

The monastery is returned to the Benedictines after the revolution of 1989. The

Benedictine Abbey of Saint Wenceslaus in Broumov is established as a legal entity.

Abbot Anastáz Opasek is appointed administrator of the Broumov abbey.

The Broumov monastery is registered as a National Cultural Monument as a prime

example of Baroque architecture.

12971930

NOTABLE FIGURES

Arnošt of Pardubice (1297–1364) was the last Prague Bishop and

also the first Czech Archbishop and Metropolitan. He was a friend

of and advisor to Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman

Emperor.

Johann Georg Adalbert Hesselius (1630–1695) became the

regent of the Broumov estate in 1670. He wrote the original

cartulary of the Broumov estate in 1676 – 1677.

Alois Jirásek (1851–1930) was an important Czech prose-writer,

playwright, and politician. He played a key role in the preparations

for and declaration of Czechoslovak independence on October 28,

1918.

17341923

NOTABLE FIGURES

Alois Rašín (1867–1923), lawyer, politician and economist,

served as the first Finance Minister of Czechoslovakia. He and

other politicians declared the independent Czechoslovak state on

October 28, 1918. He drafted the country‘s first constitution.

Josef Tichatschek (1807–1886) was a Czech opera singer

and world renowned tenor. In 1837 he became first tenor

in the Dresden Opera, where he worked with conductor

Richard Wagner.

Franz Stephan Rautenstrauch (1734–1785), was a Roman atholic

priest and professor of canon law, philosophy and theology in

Prague and Vienna. He was appointed Abbot of the Břevnov –

Broumov Abbey in 1773. He firmly believed that the church should

act as a servant to an enlightened state. He successfully advocated

for uniform education of priests in general seminaries.

16181999

NOTABLE FIGURES

Otmar Daniel Zinke (1663–1738), appointed the Břevnov

– Broumov Abbot in 1700, was one of the most important

Benedictine abbots. He initiated the renovation of the Břevnov

monastery, the reconstruction of the Broumov monastery and the

construction of Broumov's group of Baroque churches.

Matthäus Ferdinand Sobek of Bílenberk OSB (1618–1675),

was ordained a priest in 1639. He served as Abbot of the

Monastery of Saint Nicholas in Prague. He became the first bishop

of the newly founded Hradec Králové episcopacy. In 1669 he was

named Archbishop of Prague.

Dr. Jan Anastáz Opasek (1913–1999), priest, poet, theologian,

Benedictine monk, was also later named Archabbot of the Břevnov

monastery. He was recognized with a medal for fighting against

Nazism. He was a founder of the Opus Bonum movement.

16091999

LITTLE KNOWN FACTS

Visitors can view many of the valuable objects created or stored in the Broumov

monastery through tours that are offered year-round.

An original painting of the Broumov monastery from 1609 hangs in the Church

of Saint Vojtěch at the monastery. The monastery is depicted as a true landmark of

Broumov and the surrounding landscape. A copy of the painting is located in the

Church of the Virgin Mary at the Broumov cemetery.

In 1999 a unique historical copy of the Holy Shroud of Turin of 1651 was discovered

above the Chapel of the Holy Cross in the Church of Saint Vojtěch. The repository

containing the canvas also contained a document verifying its origin. It is the only copy

in Central Europe north of the Alps. It is displayed in the monastery refectory and was

declared a cultural monument.

16001700

LITTLE KNOWN FACTS

The 17th century monastery library was part of the monastery high school. Today it can

be seen on a guided tour. It holds only 17,000 volumes, a mere fraction of the original

collection. Many of the books were destroyed over time. The worst destruction took

place under the Communist regime.

The refectory, which contains the Holy Shroud of Turin, also holds a restored chasuble

and part of the funeral attire of Abbott Matthäus Ferdinand Sobek of Bílenberk.

A very treasured feature is the courtyard prelature, which represents the height of

Kilian Ignac Dientzenhofer’s work.

A valuable Gothic fresco entitled “The Three Kings” is one of the relics attesting to

the monastery’s Gothic appearance. The exterior floor plan, presbytery and supporting

pillars and stone work, including a narrow single staircase only as wide as the wall

itself, have been preserved. A Gothic statue of the Madonna also dates from this

period.

17191740

LITTLE KNOWN FACTS

During a brief period of the High Baroque, the monastery

commissioned the Dientzenhofer father-and-son architectural

team to design a unique and immensely valuable group of

Broumov churches. Over time, particularly during the

Communist regime, the interiors and exteriors of the churches

suffered great damage. Today there is a strong community

effort to revitalize them. The 8th annual classical music festival

“Treasures of Broumov” will be held in the churches this year.

The Roman Catholic Parish of Broumov is currently working

on a project entitled “For the Life of Churches”.

12132013

THE ABBEY

“Despite all of our efforts, it is not in the power of the

Benedictine Order to secure repair and reconstruction of the

Broumov Monastery at a level that would preserve it properly

and enable it to serve its original mission, i.e. the educational

and cultural development in the region. We are too few in

number for such a challenging task and have very limited

funding, so we welcome any form of help, for instance that

which the Broumov Regional Development Agency provides

through its work.”

Prior Petr Prokop Siostrzonek, OSB

12132013

BENEDICTINE ORDER’S 800th ANNIVERSARY IN BROUMOV

The 800th anniversary of the Benedictine Order’s arrival in the Broumov region

is an opportunity to show how important the past is to the present. The Benedictines

greatly influenced education, culture, administration and civic activities in the region.

The Benedictine Order gave expression to the Broumov landscape and the lives of its

inhabitants.

The Broumov region will celebrate this anniversary with a rich program of events,

a publication, an exhibition and an international scholarly conference.

800th anniversary of the Benedictine Order’s arrival in the Broumov region

20022013

BROUMOV REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

The Broumov Regional Development Agency (APRB - a 501

(c) 3 equivalent non-profit organization) was founded in 2004

by Broumov businessman Jan Školník, with support from his

family, to fulfill his conviction that every individual and every

company is responsible for his environment. Through persistent

support and work, the APRB pursues its vision of being one

of the drivers of development of the Broumov region, inspiring

through creative cooperation, focusing on high quality and a

professional approach in its work, having courage and respect

and working hard while enjoying the task at hand. The APRB’s

vision has gained the support of many highly respected partners.

Photo: A ceramic mosaic created by children through a project

entitled “We Love Broumov” supported by the APRB.

Gold Partners of APRB:

VEBA, textilní závody a.s.Ing. Josef Novák, generální ředitel

Z - TRADE s.r.o.Ing. Zbyšek Záliš

LUTOMA s.r.o.Karel Franc

ENVIROS s.r.o.Jaroslav Vích

HOBRA-Školník s.r.o.Jan Školník, MBA

CEDIMA Meziměstí s.r.o.Ing. Jiří Kozák

Dřevoterm, s.r.o.Zdeněk Pohl

Silver Partners of APRB:

Lesní společnost Broumov Holding, a.s.Ing. Bohuslav Šolc

Broumovské strojírny Hynčice, a.s.Ing. Martin Šafránek, Zdeněk Pírko

PROMA REHA, s.r.o.Zdeněk Jakubský, Radek Jakubský

Bronze Partners of APRB:

METAL-ALIANCE Health Insurance CompanyBc. Vladimír Kothera, MBAand Ing. Jiří Těhan, MBA

PRIKNER tepelné zpracování kovů s.r.o.Ing. Otakar Prikner

Stěnava EU, s.r.o.Ing. Tomáš Janák

VK LOŽISKA, s.r.o.Ing. Jiří Borna

Significant Partners:

Benedictine Abbey of Saint Wenceslaus in Broumov

The Town of Broumov

Broumov Entrepreneurs’ Club

Hradec Králové Regional Government

Hradec Králové Episcopacy

The VIA Foundation

Ministry of Culture

Project Partners:

Seco GROUP a.s.

Kooperativa pojišťovna, a.s.Vienna Insurance Group

Český archiv vin (Czech Wine Archive) – Petr Marek

Národní vinařské centrum o.p.s. (National Wine Center)

Školník s.r.o.

Náchod and Broumov Employment Office

Broumovské stavební sdružení s.r.o.

ADR ateliér, INS Náchod

Treasures of Broumov Festival:

Czech Coal a.s.

Raiffeisen - Leasing Real Estate, s.r.o.

Česká spořitelna, a.s.

Český rozhlas Hradec Králové (Czech Radio)

Mladá fronta DNES newspaper

Ekospol s.r.o.

ENROS

DSO Broumovsko (Voluntary Association of Municipalities of the Broumov Region)

MAS Broumovsko+ (Broumov Region Local Action Group)

Pražské jaro (Prague Spring Music Festival)

Concertino Praga

Stamicovo kvarteto (Stamic Quartet)

Gold Partners of APRB:

Silver Partners of APRB:

Bronze Partners of APRB:

Significant Partners:

MĚSTO BROUMOV

MĚSTO MEZIMĚSTÍ

MĚSTO POLICE NAD METUJÍ

MĚSTO TEPLICE NAD METUJÍ

ŘÍMSKOKATOLICKÁFARNOST

B R O U M O V M O N A S T E R Y

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For more information please contact: Jan Školník, jan.skolnik@broumovsko.cz

Professional supervision: Ing. arch. Jan SlavíkPhoto credits: Jan Záliš, Martin Stecker and the archives of the APRB and Benedictine Abbey.

A N O P P O R T U N I T Y T H AT

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