Cisterciácké opatství Vyšší Brod
Cistercian monastery from 1259 with the Rožmberk Tomb, a gallery of Gothic art, a picture gallery and one of the largest monastery libraries.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The monastery was founded on 1 June 1259 by Vok I of Rožmberk and settled by Cistercians from Wilhering in Austria. The Rožmberks made it their family tomb, which is still located under the presbytery of the monastery church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Gothic church, completed in the mid-14th century, was among the largest in Bohemia. During the Hussite Wars the monastery declined; it was later revived in the Baroque period, and in the 19th century Abbot Leopold Wackarž became Abbot General of the whole order.
The monastery suffered greatly in the 20th century. During the Second World War the monks were driven out by the Nazis; in 1950 the communist regime seized the monastery and interned the members of the order. Common life returned to Vyšší Brod only after 1990, when the first pair of monks came back to the abbey. The Cistercians live here to this day, and the buildings also serve as a monument open to the public.
The tour leads through the monastery church, the gallery of Gothic art from the returned collections, the Baroque picture gallery and the historical library, which holds more than 70,000 volumes. A separate route in selected months goes to the Závišův kříž (Záviš Cross), a gold reliquary with a relic of the Holy Cross, considered one of the most valuable monuments of medieval goldsmithing in Europe. Since 2019 a permanent exhibition on the Cistercian order and the history of the monastery has complemented the visit.
Highlights
- Abbey church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with the Rožmberk tomb
- Gallery of Gothic art with the Vyšebrodská madona and a Crucifixion from around 1380
- Historical library with more than 70,000 volumes and gilded bookcases
- Picture gallery with works by Baroque masters, for example Petr Brandl and Jan Kupecký
- Závišův kříž in a gold reliquary (route II, July to September)
- Permanent exhibition Ve znaku lilie a růže on the Cistercian order
Permanent exhibitions
- Ve znaku lilie a růže – The exhibition on the upper floor of the Visitor Centre uses photographic panels to introduce the founding of the order, Cistercian spirituality, Marian devotion and the history of the Vyšší Brod monastery. It includes a video projection about the life of today’s monks and a children’s corner.
- Galerie gotického umění – Exhibition of medieval art from the returned monastery collections, for example a collection of Beautiful Style madonnas, the Vyšebrodská madona and the statue of Saint Nicholas of Rožmberk. It is part of tour route I.
- Founded
- 1259
- Operated by
- Cisterciácké opatství Vyšší Brod
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 190 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 150 Kčseniors over 65, children aged 6–15, students up to 26, holders of a ZTP card |
| Children & teens | 150 Kčfree up to age 5 · Children aged 6–15 pay the reduced price; children under 6 enter free. |
| Seniors | 150 KčSeniors over 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 150 KčHolders of a ZTP card pay the reduced price. |
| Students & apprentices | 150 KčStudents up to 26. |
| Families | 520 KčFamily admission: 2 adults and 2 or more children (route I, commentary in Czech). |
| Route II – Závišův kříž and the Gothic cellar (1 July–30 September) | 100 Kčreduced CZK 80, pupils in groups CZK 60, family admission CZK 250 |
| Route I with commentary in a foreign language (German or English) | 230 Kčreduced CZK 190, pupils in groups CZK 110, family admission CZK 520 |
| Route II with commentary in a foreign language (German or English) | 120 Kčreduced CZK 100, pupils in groups CZK 100, family admission CZK 300 |
| Pupils in organised groups up to 15 years of age – route I | 80 Kčcommentary in Czech. |
The prices stated apply to tours in Czech. Free admission for children under 6, one group leader for a group of 25 or more persons, and teacher supervision (1 person per 15 pupils). Tickets are sold only at the ticket office in the Visitor Centre in the lower part of the grounds. Payment is possible in cash in CZK or EUR and by card (in the winter season, from 1 November to 30 April, cards are not accepted).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Persons with reduced mobility may, after prior permission from the abbey, be driven by vehicle up to the Rožmberk Gate; the car must then park in one of the car parks. The website gives no information on the step-free access of the tour routes.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 520 Kč · Family admission: 2 adults and 2 or more children (route I, commentary in Czech). |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
In summer children can take the paper brochure S pastelkami po klášteře (With Crayons Around the Monastery) and pick up a quiz worksheet at the ticket office. The exhibition Ve znaku lilie a růže has a children’s corner with an interactive workshop. A family ticket is available.
Getting there & parking
By car
Paid parking · 5-min walk to the entrance
Two paid municipal car parks for cars and buses lie below the grounds on the bank of the Vltava (P1 by the Inge guesthouse, P2 below the monastery pond); a car costs CZK 10 per hour and a bus CZK 50 per hour.
Until 18 October 2026 the access stairway from the town is closed for construction work; visitors enter through the Rožmberk Gate on the north side of the grounds. Vehicle access to the grounds is only possible with the abbey’s permission.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The grounds have the Caffe Convento café and the monastery shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (CS, DE, EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Route I with a guide takes about 50 to 60 minutes, route II (Závišův kříž and the Gothic cellar) 30 to 40 minutes. The digital audio guide ALTOVADUM is free to download from Google Play and the App Store. Visitors must dress appropriately (not in swimwear, in shorts above the knee, or with bare shoulders). The monastery offers educational programmes for schools in three thematic areas. |
