Franciscan Monastery
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Franciscan Monastery

Hostinné

The Franciscan Monastery in Hostinne was built in the early Baroque style in 1677–1684 by Wolfgang Dientzenhofer following a project by the architect Martin Reiner of Prague. The monastery apothecary was located on the ground floor, and on the 1st floor a hospital for pilgrims and the poor was established in 1728. The monastery also included a vegetable and herb garden. The Franciscans used the herbs they grew to make healing ointments and teas, and kept bees in beehives. They lived in the monastery until 1950, when the Secret Police forcefully removed them and put them in an internment camp.

The monastery became dilapidated some time ago, but the successful reconstruction earned it the Building of the Year 2012 award. Long-term exhibitions of the Municipal Museum are located in the historical premises on the 1st floor. The exhibition presents the town’s history from the early 13th century colonisation of the Krkonose foothills (Podkrkonosi) up to 1948. A unique collection of hand-carved beehives is on display as well. The arcaded hallway is used for a collection of large 17th-century lunettes which depict episodes from the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The two-nave monastery church of the Immaculate Conception now houses the Gallery of Ancient Art, where the displayed castings of classical-era sculptures, the property of Charles University in Prague, belong to one of the most important European art collections and a selection of the best sculpting artworks of that period. A municipal library is also located in the monastery.

Information

Location
Address
Nádražní 119
543 71 Hostinné
Telephone
GPS
50.5399619N, 15.7280325E
The Real Krkonose
The Real Krkonose

Go from Harrachov to Zacler or in the opposite direction, for a three-day trip or for a whole week. Enjoy the pure nature, the warmth of the mountain chalets and the sky full of stars.