BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION

BRNO

CZECH REPUBLIC

Aula Sanctae Mariae, cistercian nun's abbey funded be a double queen widow Elisabeth Richenza who retreated here towards the end of her life. After the dissolution of monasteries by the emperor Joseph II, the Augustinians came here from St Thomas`s monastery in the city center and brought the miraculous painting of Virgin Mary with them. 

“Under Mary's protection you have nothing to fear.”

- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

I've been here many times. Our abbot Vejmluva in Zdar originaly came from a family of the local brewmaster. Our friends got married here. And I walked, drove, rode a bus or tram past the abbey almost daily in certain times of my life. Yet, I've learned many incredibly interesting details only after a couple of serious visits in the past few years. The history of the queen Eliška Rejčka, of Johann Gregor Mendel, of the beer brewing tradition, of the local hospital, of the education and choirmaster career of the famous Moravian composer Leos Janacek, of the vineyards, or of the miraculous painting of Virgin Mary is still inspiring and alive.

LINKS

Parish website (Czech): https://www.opatstvibrno.cz/

Wikipedia - basilica (Czech): https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bazilika_Nanebevzet%C3%AD_Panny_Marie_(Brno)

Wikipedia - basilica (English) - very detailed with beautiful images: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_the_Assumption_of_Our_Lady,_Brno

Wikipedia - abbey (Czech): https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starobrn%C4%9Bnsk%C3%BD_kl%C3%A1%C5%A1ter

Wikipedia - abbey (English): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Thomas%27s_Abbey,_Brno