Introduction: The Cistertian Order has a rich history that spans centuries and continents. One of the most notable Cistercian establishments is the Abbey of Zirc in Hungary, which was founded by King Béla III in 1182. Today, the abbey houses a museum that showcases the order's history and cultural significance....
The Museum Cistertian Church (Zirc, Hungary)
Introduction: The Cistertian Order has a rich history that spans centuries and continents. One of the most notable Cistercian establishments is the Abbey of Zirc in Hungary, which was founded by King Béla III in 1182. Today, the abbey houses a museum that showcases the order's history and cultural significance.
History of the Abbey
The Cistercian Order was established in 1098 in France, with the aim of returning to the original principles of monastic life as outlined by Saint Benedict. The first Cistercian abbeys were built in remote areas, where the monks could live a simple and contemplative life.
The Abbey of Zirc was one of the largest Cistercian abbeys in the Kingdom of Hungary in the Middle Ages. The first monks came from Clairvaux and brought with them books, such as the rulebook of the monastic order, a liturgical calendar, religious books (the Bible, works of the Church Fathers and Cistercian writers) and works of ecclesiastical and secular sciences.
The abbey flourished in the 13th century, and its good management enabled it to establish a new abbey on Croatian territory (Gotó, now Kutjevo) in 1232. However, the 15th century was a period of decline, with the number of monks decreasing and the financial and spiritual management being taken over by governors and then by commanders. Its written records and charters disappeared without a trace during the Ottoman period.
The abbey was re-established in the early 1700s by monks from Heinrichau in Silesia, who used the medieval stones to build a new one-storey Baroque abbey. The first manuscript volume catalogue of the library was created in 1726, and it contained 359 volumes.
The Museum
Today, the Abbey of Zirc houses a museum that showcases the order's history and cultural significance. The museum is located in the abbey's Baroque building, which was built in the early 1700s.
The museum's collection includes a wide range of artifacts, such as manuscripts, books, religious objects, and works of art. One of the most notable pieces in the collection is a manuscript volume catalogue from 1726, which contains 359 volumes.
Visitors can also see a variety of works of art, including paintings by famous artists such as Franz Anton Maulbertsch, Giovanni Di Paolo, and Mihaly Von Zichy. These paintings are exhibited in the abbey's church, which is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture.
Visiting the Museum
The museum is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Guided tours are available in English, German, and Hungarian.
Visitors can also attend religious services in the abbey's church, which is open to the public. The church is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture, with intricate frescoes and stucco decorations.
Conclusion
The Museum Cistertian Church (Zirc, Hungary) is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history and culture of the Cistercian Order. The museum's collection includes a wide range of artifacts and works of art, and the abbey's church is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture.
Franz Anton Maulbertsch, Mary Magdalene, Cistertian Church (Zirc, Hungary) , Oil On Canvas
Giovanni Di Paolo, Nativity, Christian Museum (Esztergom, Hungary), Tempera
Mihaly Von Zichy, Falling Stars, Zichy Museum (Zala, Hungary), Oil On Canvas
Janos Rombauer, Portrait of a Man, Déri Museum (Debrecen, Hungary), Oil On Canvas
Sebestyén Hann, Goblet with Cover, Hungarian National Museum (Budapest, Hungary)