Múzeum Červený Kláštor

About the museum

The Carthusian monastery in Červený Kláštor, a national cultural monument in the Pieniny National Park, is among the most important monuments of its kind in Slovakia and is the largest monument administered by the Monuments Office of the SR. It came into being after 1307, when the Levoča conciliation court ordered the magister Kokoš to found monasteries; in 1319 the village of Lechnica donated land to the Carthusians from Letanovce, and King Charles Robert confirmed the founding charter in 1320. Construction began after 1330, and from 1360 the church of St Anthony the Hermit was built.

After the Carthusians left in the 16th century, the monastery passed into secular hands; in 1625 to 1699 it belonged to the Rákóczi family. From the beginning of the 18th century Camaldolese monks lived there; they built the church tower and renewed the glassworks. Notable figures of this period were Father Romuald Hadbavný and Brother Cyprián, the creator of Cyprián's herbarium. Emperor Joseph II abolished the monastery in 1782; in 1907 the complex burned down, and an extensive reconstruction took place in 1956 to 1966.

The first exhibition was opened by the East Slovak Museum in Košice on 5 June 1966; since 2008 the museum exhibition has been open under the administration of the Monuments Office of the SR in cooperation with the organisation CYPRIAN, n. o. Today visitors can see the exhibition Dejiny kláštora (History of the Monastery), a monk's hermitage with a pharmacy exhibition from the 18th century, and an archaeological exhibition in the original house of the prior. The complex also has the Pod lipami (Under the Lime Trees) inn, a souvenir shop and monastery accommodation.

Highlights

• St Anthony the Hermit church from the 14th century
• Exhibition Dejiny kláštora (History of the Monastery) on the Carthusians and Camaldolese
• Monk's hermitage with a pharmacy exhibition from the 18th century
• Archaeological exhibition in the house of the prior
• Location below the Three Crowns in the Pieniny National Park

Permanent exhibitions

• Dejiny kláštora – The historical and architectural development of the monastery, the life of the Carthusians and Camaldolese, the coats of arms of the orders and notable figures.
• Mníšsky domček – The life of a Camaldolese monk in his hermitage, with a dormitory, an oratory and a pharmacy exhibition from the 18th century.
• Archeologická expozícia – Results of excavations from 1967–1970 in the original house of the prior, with the ground plan of the Carthusian hermitages.

Founded

1966

Operated by

Pamiatkový úrad Slovenskej republiky

Admission & discounts

Priests and members of men's and women's religious orders pay €1. Holders of a Zväz múzeí na Slovensku card enter free. A wedding ceremony in the church of St Anthony the Hermit or in the monastery grounds costs €70; photography of the newlyweds in the grounds costs €30.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

GPS coordinates: 49°23′58″ N, 20°25′00″ E. Coming from the direction of Stará Ľubovňa, the monastery is about 1 km beyond the Smerdžonka spa complex, on the right-hand side.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The Pod lipami inn in the monastery grounds offers simple meals, drinks and Romuald beer; there is also a shop with souvenirs and monastery herbs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 50 guests.

Rental of the congress hall for 50 people (TV, internet, video projector) for seminars and meetings; the church of St Anthony the Hermit and the chapter house for weddings for €70.

Plan your visit