Augustinian Monastery and Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady
Аdress: Mendlovo nam. 1, 60300 Brno
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Augustinian Monastery and Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady
{foto: Marie Schmerková} |
The Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady is a true jewel amongst Gothic architecture in Moravia. The widow Queen, Eliška Rejčka, established the Cistercian convent in 1323 next to the old parish church of Our Lady. This became known as Aula Sanctae Mariae, or the Queen's Convent. In 1782 the Augustinian monks moved here from their original site next to the church of St. Thomas, which is today on Moravské Náměstí (Moravian Square).
From this year onwards the Old Brno convent became their new home, and also the seat of an abbot.
The Gothic Church of the Assumption of Our Lady differs from other monuments of its period not only by its complicated and unique ground plan composition, but also by the building techniques used in the construction of its unrendered brickwork alternating with carved masonry, which is unusual in this country. In the XVIII century the interior was baroquized; the baroque buildings of the Abbey were also completed at this time.
In 1868 Johann Gregor Mendel was elected Augustinian abbot, and it was in this monastery that he discovered and formulated his theory of genetics.
In 1987 the Old Brno church was elevated in status by Pope John Paul II, and from that time it has carried the title "Basilica minor".
Many famous people have worked at the monastery:
Abbot Cyril František Napp (1782-1867)
Antonín Thaller ( 1796-1843 )
František Matouš Klácel (1808-1882),
František Tomáš Bratránek (1815-1884)
Tomáš Eduard Šilinger (1866-1913),
Abbot Jan (Johann) Gregor Mendel (1822-1884),
Pavel Křížkovský (1820-1885),
Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) recipient of funds from the Thurn Foundation, later to become director of the Old Brno choir.
