Klášter v Polici nad Metují

About the museum

The Benedictine provostry of Břevnov at the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Police nad Metují was established in the 13th century. King Přemysl Otakar I handed the Police region over to the Břevnov Benedictines in 1213. In the mid-13th century Abbot Martin I began building the monastery in the Gothic style, and in 1296 the pope confirmed it as a provostry. During colonisation the small town of Police and several villages belonging to the monastery came into being.

The monastery was damaged by the Hussite wars, the army of Matthias Corvinus, fires and the Thirty Years' War. Between 1709 and 1772 it was repaired and rebuilt in the Baroque style, with Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer involved in the alterations. A further rebuilding took place at the end of the 19th century in the neo-Gothic style.

The museum is today on the first floor of the monastery and belongs to the Náchod Museum. During the tour visitors walk through the abbot's apartment, which was restored in 2023, and two modern audiovisual exhibitions by the visual artist Richard Loskot. They are called Benediktinské Policko – příběh z dob středověké kolonizace (The Benedictine Police Region – A Story from the Age of Medieval Colonisation) and Lidová zbožnost – kraj poutních míst, zázračných studánek a pověstí (Folk Piety – Land of Pilgrimage Sites, Miraculous Springs and Legends). They guide visitors through the history of the Police region and its main milestones. An audio guide is also available, which can be played free of charge in a web browser.

Highlights

• Abbot's apartment restored in 2023
• Two audiovisual exhibitions by the artist Richard Loskot
• The story of medieval colonisation of the Police region and the Benedictines
• Folk piety, pilgrimage sites and miraculous springs
• Free audio guide in the browser

Permanent exhibitions

• Benediktinské Policko – příběh z dob středověké kolonizace – The audiovisual exhibition tells of the arrival of the Benedictines, the founding of the monastery and the emergence of the town of Police during the period of medieval colonisation.
• Lidová zbožnost – kraj poutních míst, zázračných studánek a pověstí – The second audiovisual exhibition recalls the pilgrimage sites, miraculous springs and legends of the Police region.
• Opatův byt – The abbot's apartment, which was renovated in 2023 and is part of the tour.

Operated by

Muzeum Náchodska (příspěvková organizace Královéhradeckého kraje)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free for children under 5, holders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards (including companions), holders of AMG and ICOM cards, teachers accompanying a school group, and holders of a foster family card. Because these are tours with expert commentary, the free-admission events of the Hradec Králové Region do not apply.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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

The museum is on the first floor of the monastery; according to the website, step-free access is not available. No visitor toilet is available.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Postcards, tourist cards and books published by the Náchod Museum are sold. There is no refreshment.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit