overview admission about the place One of the most remarkable pilgrimage sites in Bohemia is the Sázava Monastery, closely connected with the life and work of the hermit and patron saint of the Czech lands, St. Procopius. According to legend, he settled in a cave above the Sázava River in the early 11th century, from which he drove a thousand demons and triumphed over the devil’s arrows. With the community he gathered around him, he founded the third oldest monastery in Bohemia. The Benedictine monastery has undergone many structural interventions during its thousand-year history. Yet not even a devastating fire in 1746 could slow down its flourishing. In cooperation with Abbot Anastasius Slančovský, the architect Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer and important active artists, the monastery underwent a late Baroque restoration, which also showed hints of Rococo. more about the place admission basic 180 CZK reduced 140 CZK family 50 CZK more about admission Source: www.sazavskyklaster.cz; www.klaster-sazava.cz admission basic 180 CZK reduced 140 CZK family 50 CZK tours Circuits operated by the National Heritage Institute: The monastery tours take place in the exteriors and interiors: the monastery garden, the capitular hall, the cloister, the refectory, the exhibition “St. Procopius’ Sázava” 1 St. Procopius’ Sázava (basic monastery circuit) 2 Interactive video-audio tour with a mobile phone — The Sázava Monastery Through the Ages 3 Northern Monastery Garden Circuit operated by the Roman Catholic Parish Sázava — Černé Budy: The guided tour starts in front of the Gothic tower and includes a description of the construction of the unfinished Gothic cathedral. The tour continues through the church to the Chapel of the Virgin Mary with the newly restored altar of St. Martin. This is followed by an ascent to the previously inaccessible and newly renovated adjacent rooms on the first floor. You will visit the newly built St. Barbara’s Winter Chapel, St. Procopius Hall, see the new organ up close and learn about its development and restoration. Afterwards, you will visit the St. Procopius Gallery and see a number of interesting exhibits from the monastery treasure. The highlight is a viewing of St. Procopius’ cup and spoon. The tour ends with a descent into the newly restored crypt with the relics of St. Procopius. Czech patron Saint Procopius Based on archaeological excavations, only artefacts from the original wooden monastery and church have been preserved under the existing buildings. More tangible finds are the foundations of the central tetraconchal church of the Holy Cross for the lay settlement in the northern neighbourhood (today the North Garden), consecrated in 1070 by Bishop Šebir, and the Abbey Chapel on the Parter. The eastern part of the stone Romanesque church, consecrated in 1095, with an eastern liturgical crypt and two choir chapels bearing towers, is also located below the current church. On the south side of the church, stone monastery buildings (cloister and ambulatories) were built over time. The most important literary monuments are the Reims Coronation Gospel, the legends Vita s. Procopii minor and Vita s. Procopii antiqua, and the Chronicle of the Monk of Sázava from the 1270s. Regular Roman Catholic services at the Church of St. Procopius Wed, Fri: 18:00 Thu: 8:00 Sun: 10:30