Hronský Benadik Abbey

Hronský Benadik, Slovakia

Hronský Beňadik is best known for a very important Benedictine abbey, which played in important role in the Christianization process and in the development of culture and education. It was founded in 1075 by King Géza I. The fortified abbey is one of the oldest and most important architectural monuments of Slovakia.

The surviving Gothic basilica of St. Egidius was built in the years 1346-1375 to the grounds of first abbey. The monastery was rebuilt into a fort supposed to resist Turkish raids in 1537. Walls and canon bastions were added then. However, construction of fortification also meant destruction of some of its Gothic parts. They reappeared in altered form during the period of Romanticism reconstruction carried out at the end of the 19th century.

The church of the monastery contains valuable works of art (a wood-carving of the Holy Sepulchre, a wall-painting presenting the legend of St. George, an altar depicting the Passion, a sculpture of Jesus Christ from the 13th century, a Madonna sculpture from the 14th century, etc.).

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Founded: 1075
Category: Religious sites in Slovakia

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Jan Hablak (3 years ago)
Love it, lot of history.
Axis (3 years ago)
If you want to know about the history of this monastery I suggest saving some trouble and money and reading about it on the internet because they will tell you almost nothing about it. If you want to hear about the Christian religion and it's relation to the monastery, I think you'll enjoy it here.
Juraj Penciak (3 years ago)
Must to see.
Jan Macaj (3 years ago)
Nice historical church, in which I and my girlfriend are going to be married
Peter Balaz (4 years ago)
This place is quiet and beautiful... I would have never expected to find a cathedral so huge and decorated here. The monastery is well maintained and charming. You won't see any tourists here... As it is fairly remote from larger cities or other popular ladmarks
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