Jasov Monastery

Jasov, Slovakia

Jasov has the biggest monastery complex in Slovakia and its main church, dedicated to St. John The Baptist, is considered one of the country's most important late-Baroque buildings. Though the present complex dates from the 18th century, there has been a monastery since 1170. The first, probably made of wood, was destroyed by the invading Tatars in 1242. A Romanesque stone monastery soon replaced it and was rebuilt in a fortified style in the 15th century. The site was then completely levelled again in 18th century to make way for the present Baroque structure.

The current monastery was designed by the architect Anton Pilgram in 1766. The lavishly ornamented interior of the monastic church in Baroque style, the library of monastery, and conserved French garden are especially valuable. The monastery has 365 windows, 12 chimneys and four gates (representing the days, months and seasons of the year).

References:

Religious sites in Slovakia

Address

Podzámok, Jasov, Slovakia

See all sites in Jasov

Details

Founded: 1170/1766
Category: Religious sites in Slovakia

More Information

www.visitkosice.eu
slovakia.travel
en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Martin Basila (3 years ago)
Nice place to learn more about premonstratensians. The library was not part of our tour. We would wish too see it next time. You had chance to meat the old priest and speak with him. Very nice guy.

Gabriella Kiss (3 years ago)
A jewel!

Martin Višňanský (5 years ago)
Hidden gem in south-east of Slovakia. Better to see personally, instead of just reading about ... The largest, by far, private Library, (Capital L, for sure) with collection of historical books from centuries ago, all together probably up to 100k books on theology, medicine, phylosophy, history ... Very kind staff to guide you around the cloister as well as the Library.

Jan Dupej (5 years ago)
Definitely worth seeing, the church was beautiful. The guide gave a very good presentation and clearly knows her stuff.

Lenka Lenka (5 years ago)
Worth to see...especially the library!!! The girl (guide) was amanzing, funny ... it should be supported by visitors ...this monastery needs money from visitors...It has great potential!!!

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Ninara

Historic Site of the week

The Church of the Holy Cross

The church of the former Franciscan monastery was built probably between 1515 and 1520. It is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Rauma. The church stands by the small stream of Raumanjoki (Rauma river).

The exact age of the Church of the Holy Cross is unknown, but it was built to serve as the monastery church of the Rauma Franciscan Friary. The monastery had been established in the early 15th century and a wooden church was built on this location around the year 1420.

The Church of the Holy Cross served the monastery until 1538, when it was abandoned for a hundred years as the Franciscan friary was disbanded in the Swedish Reformation. The church was re-established as a Lutheran church in 1640, when the nearby Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed by fire.

The choir of the two-aisle grey granite church features medieval murals and frescoes. The white steeple of the church was built in 1816 and has served as a landmark for seafarers.