Velehrad Monastery, Czech Republic

 

The History of Velehrad Monastery:

A Monastery was built here in the 13th Century, and then had to be re-built in the 17th Century, after a fire destroyed the original building. It can be said to be the spiritual heart of the Czech Republic, which had its Christian roots in the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius in 863 A.D.

The Velehrad Monastery offers much for the visitor, but the main attraction is the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saints Cyril and Methodius. A national pilgrimage to Velehrad takes place every July which draws thousands of pilgrims. Pope John Paul II visited the monastery in 1990, his first visit outside the country after the fall of Communism.

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Traveling to the Velehrad Monastery:

The monastery is a bit out of the way, but well worth making the effort. There is no major airport, the nearest airport is in Brno, which has some service from London.
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Other than that, the nearest major airport is in Prague, about 170 miles to the West. Likewise, there is some train service as far as Brankovice.
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Address: Římskokatolická farnost, Stojanovo nádvoří 206, 687 06 Velehrad
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GPS coordinates: 49° 6′ 14.2488” N, 17° 23′ 40.1460” E
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Tel: +420 571 110 538
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e-mail: info@velehradinfo.cz
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Click here for the official website of the Velehrad Monastery.
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Photos with permission: The Velehrad Monastery