Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, Minor basilica in Old Brno, Czech Republic
The Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady is a Gothic church in Old Brno built of unplastered red brick with light stone dressings, a steep green copper roof and a slender copper spire over the crossing. Its cruciform layout has a nave and two aisles, a transept, and a triple choir; the nave and transept vaults rise over 22 metres. The interior holds a tall silver altar with the Black Madonna.
Queen Elizabeth Richeza of Poland founded the basilica in 1323 next to a Cistercian convent and was buried inside after her death in 1335. The building became an important religious center for the city.
The silver altar displays a painting of the Black Madonna, a gift from Emperor Charles IV in 1356 that draws pilgrims during the annual August 15 celebration. This image has been a focus of devotion for visitors seeking spiritual connection over the centuries.
The interior is open from June through September when visitors can enter on select weekdays. Proximity to Mendlovo náměstí station makes access straightforward, though checking hours before visiting is advisable.
The letter E with a small crown, cut into the paving, marks where Elizabeth Richeza was buried in 1335. She founded the Cistercian convent here on 15 May 1323, and the foundation charter was confirmed on 1 June 1323, with King John of Bohemia as co-founder.
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