The Franciscan Monastery of the Fourteen Holy Helpers is a national cultural monument, which is exceptional not only for its unique murals, and which is currently seeking to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Visit the Franciscan Monastery of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, a national cultural monument that is exceptional not only for its unique murals and rare cellar vault. Due to the uniqueness of the Franciscan monastery in Kadaň, which is of world importance, an application was submitted for its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visitors from all over the Czech Republic and from all over Europe come to admire the Kadaň monastery. Be among them!
The Kadaň Franciscan Monastery is also a place where a number of cultural events take place throughout the year, including concerts, music festivals and, for example, the Kadaň Vintage.
A little bit of history
The Franciscan monastery was established at the end of the 15th century on the site of the original pilgrimage chapel of the Fourteen Holy Helpers with significant contributions from the Vitzthum and Hasištejn families from Lobkowicz. Jan Hasištejnský of Lobkowicz, at that time the governor of the city of Kadaň, had the monastery built as a burial ground of his family, and at the same time as an imitation of holy places in Jerusalem, where he made a holy pilgrimage in 1493. The painting of the presbytery of the church faithfully imitates the work of Lucas Cranach Sr., an important German Renaissance painter, and is absolutely unique in our territory. Some areas of the monastery of special importance were also equipped with a rare cellar vault.
The male monastery in Kadan functioned until 1950, when it was raided by State Security units, which interned local monks in labor camps. In the 1970s, the monastery served as the depository of the state district archive and the Chomutov Museum.
After 1989, the monastery was returned to the Franciscans. They handed it over to the Diocese of Litoměřice, which leased it to the city of Kadani for 50 years, with the exception of the church, which serves the Roman Catholic parish in Kadaň. In the premises of the original monastery, the Municipal Museum in Kadan was restored , which recalls both the history of the city and, above all, the history and legacy of the monastery itself. The Klement Slavický Elementary School of Art in Kadaň has its seat in the novitiate building. The church was consecrated again in 1995 and the spiritual life returned to the monastery.
In addition to the monastery itself, you can also visit the Franciscan gardens, where, in addition to vineyards, you will also come across several domestic animals. You can see goats, ponies and a curly pig named Čenda. The whole area invites you to sit and relax! If you are not attracted to the tour, just come and relax in the gardens. Drinks and small snacks are offered in the area of the Franciscan Gardens Konírna, which is open from May to September.
Tours
The monastery offers guided tours in two circuits. The first circuit called Views into the Past of the City of Kadaň will tell you everything about the history of the city and its changes over time. You will learn, for example, what role Kadaň played in historical events. The second circuit Life in the Monastery will introduce you to the life of monks and the importance of the order for the city. Part of this circuit is also a visit to the church, which is currently being reconstructed (access is also possible during the reconstruction). The unique features of the monastery, the murals and the cellar vault can be seen in both the first and second circuits.
Are you interested in minerals? Then be sure to check with the guide about the possibility of visiting the uncommented circuit of the Mineralogical Attractions of Kadaň. This is the largest collection of minerals in the Chomutov district!
Opening hours and admission
- April, May, June, September and October
Tuesday to Friday – tours at 15:00 and 16:00
Saturday and Sunday – tours from 10:00 to 17:00 - July, August
Tuesday to Sunday – tours from 10:00 to 17:00
