Cisterciácký klášter Osek
Baroque-remodelled Cistercian monastery with guided tours of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the cloister and the Gothic chapter house with its rotating lectern.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Cistercian monastery in Osek was founded at the end of the 12th century. The monks first came to Bohemia at the invitation of Milhost of Mašťov and, after disputes over his influence, moved at the turn of 1196 and 1197 to the estate of the Hrabišic family, where the monastery quickly grew rich. In the 13th century the important abbot Slavko headed it, and in 1225–1250 the early Gothic chapter house was built, one of the first Gothic buildings in the Czech lands.
The monastery suffered severely several times, notably during the invasion of Brandenburg troops in 1278 and when the Hussites burned it in 1421. It was dissolved in 1580 and restored only after the Battle of White Mountain, when Cistercians returned in 1626. It flourished most in the 18th century under abbots Laurentius Knittl and Benedikt Littwerig, who had the convent and church remodelled in the Baroque style to plans by Octavio Broggio and also built a pharmacy, a hospital and French gardens.
After 1945 the Cistercians had to leave the monastery. After a brief stay by the Salesians, the state set up an internment camp here in 1950 and later a home for nuns, who remained until 1993. The Cistercians returned in 1989 and officially regained the monastery in 1991. Since 1995 the complex has been a national cultural monument.
Today the monastery serves as a cultural and tourist centre. On the tour visitors see the Baroque monastery church, the cloister, the Paradise Court and the old convent. The greatest treasure is the Romanesque stone lectern from 1240 in the chapter house, which can be turned.
Highlights
- Baroque monastery church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
- early Gothic chapter house from 1225–1250
- rotating Romanesque stone lectern from 1240
- cloister and Paradise Court
- stone statue of the Madonna in the portal from the late 13th century
- Ossegg monastery brewery in the courtyard
Permanent exhibitions
- Prohlídkový okruh klášterem – The tour includes the Baroque Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the cloister, the Paradise Court and the old convent with the Gothic chapter house and the rotating Romanesque lectern.
- Galerie Klášter Osek – The gallery in the monastery complex has a smaller section for permanent exhibitions; at the time of verification it was being reconstructed.
- Founded
- 1196
- Operated by
- FrýTajm Osek, příspěvková organizace města Osek (prohlídky); areál patří cisterciáckému řádu
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 220 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 180 Kčchildren aged 6–15, students aged 16–26, seniors from 65, holders of a ZTP and ZTP/P card |
| Children & teens | 180 Kčfree up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 15 pay the reduced admission; children under 6 enter free. |
| Seniors | 180 KčSeniors from 65 pay the reduced admission. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 180 Kčcompanion free · Holders of a ZTP and ZTP/P card pay the reduced admission; a companion of a person with ZTP/P enters free. |
| Students & apprentices | 180 KčStudents aged 16 to 26. |
| Groups | –School groups: primary schools CZK 55 per pupil (simplified tour), secondary schools CZK 100 per pupil; one accompanying adult per 30 pupils free. |
| Families | 550 KčThe family ticket applies to at most 2 adults and 3 children. |
| German-language tour – standard | 275 KčAn extra charge applies for interpreting into a foreign language; German tours only by arrangement. |
| German-language tour – reduced | 220 Kč |
| German-language tour – family | 750 KčAt most 2 adults and 3 children. |
Prices apply to a guided tour in Czech (the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and cloister route). School tours in German cost CZK 80 (pupils aged 6–15, simplified tour) and CZK 150 (aged 16–19). Tickets are bought at the information centre at náměstí Klášterní 31.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 550 Kč · The family ticket applies to at most 2 adults and 3 children. |
Children under 6 enter free, and a family ticket is available. Schools can book a simplified tour. There is a baby changing table in the information centre.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The town of Osek has the Osek město railway station and is served by bus lines from Teplice, Duchcov and Ústí nad Labem.
The monastery stands in the centre of the town of Osek near Duchcov in the Teplice district, at the foot of the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory). Tickets and information are available at the information centre at náměstí Klášterní 31 (cultural centre Stropník).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
The Ossegg brewery with a restaurant and summer terrace is located in the monastery courtyard. The information centre sells souvenirs; cyclists can charge e-bikes and park bicycles in a rack.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The monastery may only be visited with a guide, who leads the tour in Czech or German (German tours only by arrangement). Printed guide texts in English, German, French, Italian and Russian are also available to borrow. The tour leads through the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the cloister. Occasionally tours with organ accompaniment take place for a higher admission (CZK 200, reduced CZK 160); phone booking is recommended. |
