Sedlec

Monastery Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist

Submitter: Cistercian monastery in Sedlec - the Abbot Jindrich Snopek

Originally Gothic Sedlec monastery church was staying in ruins for whole 250 years after being plundered by the Hussite troops. Only the resolute and able abbot Jindrich Snopek decided on its large renovation. After vaulting the ceiling, Jan Santini Aichl undertook the control of the construction in the year 1703. After the experience in Prague, reconstruction of the at that time largest church in the Czech lands was commended to this only 26-years old artist. It was Santini's ability to build in the Gothic style that convinced the 70-years old abbot of his best choice. Santini dramatically utilized the extremely large front window and built a slight entrance in front of it, complemented by statues in the superstructure. It is also interesting that participation of the master's younger son - the outstanding stone mason Frantisek Jakub Santini in this building was documented. The completed church building was re-consecrated in the year 1708. Santini coped with the composition of unusual altitude and depth proportions of the church space by means of the accentuated rhythm of walls and vaults. The baroque conversion shows in the design of the spiral staircases and the elements of the altar area. The extraordinary personal acquaintance with the design and the architecture of the medieval cathedral type that Santini experienced in Sedlec, became a constant inspiration for his further creation and the incorporation of the Gothic and the baroque grew into a predominant phenomenon attending him till the end of his life.

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Contact:

Phone: +420 739 319 835
Gsm: +420 728 125 488

Opening Hours:

Daily except Sunday

9:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 17:00

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