Franciscan monastery in Hejnice, Franciscan monastery in Hejnice, Czech Republic.
The Franciscan monastery in Hejnice is a baroque complex in the town of Hejnice in northern Bohemia, Czech Republic. It consists of a church, a cloister, and several wings arranged around a courtyard, with symmetrical facades and tall stone-framed windows.
The monastery was founded in 1692 by Count František Gallas, who brought the Franciscans to Hejnice to support the existing pilgrimage tradition tied to the site. The complex was expanded during the 18th century and took on the baroque form it has today.
The Black Madonna of Hejnice is at the center of what visitors come to see and do here, drawing pilgrims from across the region who gather to pray and attend services. The church is open to both religious visitors and those simply curious about the site.
The monastery is open to both pilgrims and general visitors and also functions as a conference and education center with rooms for overnight stays. It is worth checking in advance whether a major event or pilgrimage is scheduled, as access to some areas may be limited on those days.
After the communist takeover in 1948, the monastery was dissolved and the Franciscans were forced to leave, but they returned after 1989 and resumed community life there. Today it operates as both an active friary and an open center, which is relatively rare among historic monasteries in the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
