The Cistercian abbey of Vissy Brod in the Czech Republic, close to the Austrian frontier, has been restored with the financial support of Upper Austria. To fund the work of restoring the ruined medieval abbey, a fund-raising association was founded in 2002. It has so far collected 282,000 euros, to which EU funds have also been added. The association now comprises 39 members in five countries. The abbey was founded in 1259. It was requisitioned by the Nazis and closed by the Communists. The work of refurbishment was begun by two monks and is now being continued by the Prior Fr. Justin and by seven other members of the community (mainly young men aged around 30). With Austrian financial assistance, the façade and portal of the abbey have now been restored, and a privately run visitors’ centre, shop and café have been opened. The abbey is rich in artistic treasures and represents an important attraction for tourists visiting southern Bohemia: especially important is the library which comprises some 70,000 books and manuscripts, some of them dating back to the 8th century. A visit to the abbey buildings also provides an opportunity to see the superimposition of styles, from gothic to Jugendstil, that have succeeded each other during the gradual construction of the complex. The abbey will host an exhibition of Upper Austria in 2013: on that occasion, the “Zawisch-Kreuz”, a precious gold Cross dating to the 13th century will be presented the public.
