UNESCO
Augustinian Abbey in Brno
Augustinian Abbey in Brno
Campus Augustinian Abbey in Brno is one of the most historically and architecturally valuable and important monastery complexes in the Czech Republic, which contains, among other things, the remains of the oldest sacral building in Brno from the turn of the 10. and the 11th century. The complex is made up of Gothic and Baroque buildings.
The monastery was founded in 1323 by Queen Eliška Rejčka as a Cistercian monastery, named Aula Sanctae Mariae in her honour, or later Aula Regia. The Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is a part of the complex, is a church built of brick masonry and stone architectural elements in the High Gothic style with inspiration from the Silesian environment.
In 1782, the Cistercian convent was dissolved by decree of the Josephine regime, and the monastery became the seat of the Brno Augustinians, who were forced to hand over their newly rebuilt monastery grounds at the Church of St. Thomas. The Augustinians transferred the furnishings of their monastery to Old Brno, including the silver altar and their unique library. They carried out structural modifications to the complex, following the Baroque building interventions of the Cistercian monks, the most important of which was the construction of the Baroque rectory by the prominent Brno architect and builder Mořic Grimm in the 1930s.
The monastery is linked to the life or work of many internationally important personalities, starting with the founder of the monastery, the Polish and Czech Queen Eliška Rejčka, the author of the Silver Altar, the outstanding Augsburg Baroque goldsmith Johann Georg Herkommer or the world-famous composer Leoš Janáček.
The Abbey is widely known for the work of the father of genetics and abbot of the monastery, Gregor Johann Mendel.
Listing the Abbey into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites initiative
Listing the Abbey into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites initiative was born out of the many years of encouragement to do so by the world community of scientists, historians, artists, and politicians who visited the Abbey. They were taken by its significance and by the way in which it impresses its visitors.
Historical significance of the Abbey celebrating in 2023 700 years of its existence fits within the context of its long-term tradition of development of education and it is here where the science and faith are studied together. Abbey’s abbot George Johann Mendel, the discoverer of the laws of genetics, is the embodiment of this tradition.
In 1323 the Monastery was founded, and Queen Eliska Rejcka, its founder, was buried there together with Jindrich of Lipa, her partner and the Moravian Land Governor.
The Abbey can be described as a local centre of culture and education during the era of Gregor Johann Mendel, who supported cultural activities in the Abbey and especially the musical education of the youth, e.g. Leoš Janáček. Mendel’s contemporary and fellow-brother František Tomáš Bratránek was the rector of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. Another of Mendel’s confreres, Pavel Křížkovský, was the director of the monastery choir and under his direction the young Leoš Janáček, one of the most important composers of the turn of the 19. and the 20th century. The Abbey moved from local to pan-European, and thus global, importance at the beginning of the 20th century, when Mendel’s work was understood and the eyes of the world’s scientific community turned to the Abbey.
Mendel’s Tenure in the Abbey
Mendel’s manuscript and his beehive that he designed are among the several monuments reflecting Mendel’s stay in the Abbey. Mendels’ famous Greenhouse was restored in 2022.
The Museum of the Stare Brno Abbey and the Masaryk University Mendel’s Museum are both located within the compound of the Abbey. The former is managed by the Abbey, and it focuses its activities on culture and education of the Augustinian order in Brno. Mendel’s manuscript facsimile is on a display there.
The latter places a museum’s approach into the context of a university education while concentrating on applying Mendel’s discovery to practical purposes and on making scientific disciplines accessible. The reconstructed room where Mendel lived is a part of this Museum. The Museum organizes Mendel’s Days and Mendel’s Lectures.
The Mendel’s Festival is organized annually, and the goal is to make the Abbey available to the public.
From 1. 7. 2023 the Abbey under the name of the Augustinian Monastery with the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Old Brno is a national cultural monument.
The Augustinians, thanks to their philosophy of seeking truth through God, made the Abbey a center of culture and education in the 19th century. Enlightened Abbot Napp made it possible for Mendel to dedicate himself to the scientific work, he also built the Greenhouse for him, and this nurturing environment supported Mendel while he was making the phenomenal discovery.
Project
The City of Brno and the South Moravia Region have financially supported the preliminary work on the project. The work on the project started in 2023.
The expert team include individuals speak English and German and who have had many years of experience in working on international projects. Their expertise is in architecture, history, genetics and ethics.
UNESCO has granted its patronage to the events held in 2022 and 2023, and Mendel’s 200th anniversary of birth has been designated a UNESCO Anniversary.
The project Nomination of the Old Brno Abbey of the Order of St. Augustine to the UNESCO World Heritage List is supported by funds from the South Moravian Region and the statutory city of Brno.
UNESCO activities are supported by Teplárny Brno.
