Nové Hrady - Monastery

Trail "People and their Landscape"

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klasterOne of the most dominating monuments of the town is the baroque Monastery of Divine Mercy in Nové Hrady, formerly knowns as the Servite Monastery. The monastery was established by Ferdinand, Count of Buquoy. In 1664, he was severely wounded in battle. He made a vow to establish a monastery in honour of the Virgin Mother Mary if he would recover. Construction started in 1678 and already in 1681, the first monks could move in. The monastery is built in early-baroque style as a square building around a courtyard. The ground floor houses a large refectory with a half-circle vault. In 1950, the monastery library approximately contained 7 500 publications.

In the 1950s, the Monastery lost its function as spiritual centre and was used by the border police. Over the years, this resulted in a far-reaching destruction of the original interior and contents. After the velvet revolution, the Monastery was restituted to the Order of Servites. With foreign help, they undertook a complete restoration of the entire premises. With the festive opening in 1994, the spiritual life and work of the Servite friars returned to Nove Hrady.

Pater BonfiliusThe revitalization of the Monastery is closely connected with the person of Friar Bonfilius, who enjoyed fame and respect far beyond Nove Hrady. His tireless energy and unceasing optimism brought forth not only the renewal of the premises but in particular, a revival of its spiritual and moral values he expressed in his muster. Believe and diligence with élan and a smile – those are the words and impressions most people would associate with the memory of Friar Bonfilius. He died on October 11, 2005.

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