Vyssi Brod

About

After centuries of upheaval, a small community of monks returned to the monastery following the collapse of communism in 1989. Today’s monastery complex contains the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (home to the famous painting of the Madonna of Vyšši Brod by an unknown artist), various farm buildings, an abbey, and of course, the monastery. The early Baroque style altar in the church has an ingenious panel system created by two local monks that enable the altarpiece to be changed four times a year. In addition to an art gallery with over 100 paintings, the monastery also houses an extensive library containing over 70,000 medieval books, scrolls and manuscripts. The beautiful interior of the reading room is decorated with paintings and frescoes in the early Baroque style. Viewing inside the monastery complex is by guided tour and visitors should note that appropriate clothing must be worn (no shorts, crop tops etc.).