The former abbey in Zlatá Koruna is one of the best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in the Czech Republic. King Premysl Otakar II founded the monastery in 1263 as an expression of gratitude to God, who enabled him to win the battle near Kressenbrunn over the stronger army of the Hungarian king. The king called the Cistercians from the most important Austrian abbey Heiligenkreuz to come to Zlatá Koruna. He added extensive grounds to the monastery.
The name derives from the thorn from the Jesus Christ’s crown. Premysl Otakar II received the thorn from French King Louis IX and gave it to the monastery.
The monastery complex consists predominately of Gothic buildings with Baroque or Rococo additions. The architectural heart of the monastery is a three-nave basilica with a transverse nave. The convent with a cross-corridor is attached to the church. On the northern side there is the Chapel of the Guardian Angels, from about 1370, the oldest preserved building of the monastery.
An Exposition of South Bohemian Literature has been established in the monastery.
For further information:
www.ckrumlov.cz/cz1250/region/obce/i_zlakor.htmwww.pruvodce.com/zlatakoruna