The Cistercian monastery was founded in 1323 by Queen Eliška Rejčka, in 1782 by an imperial decree the monastery was dissolved and the property went to the state. The following year it was handed over to the Augustinians as a replacement for the building of their original convent at the Church of St. Thomas in the city centre. Leoš Janáček spent his childhood and received his musical education here from 1865. Personalities such as the composer Pavel Křížkovský, the geneticist Johann Gregor Mendel and the abbot Cyril Napp were also active here.
Today, part of the extensive grounds houses the Mendel Museum of Masaryk University, which presents the exceptional personality of the scientist and abbot G. J. Mendel, as well as the Museum of the Old Brno Monastery (MUSO), which presents the almost 700-year history of the monastery. The Museum of the Old Brno Monastery also houses the Salon of Gregor Johann Mendel and Leoš Janáček, to whom a separate room is dedicated. The museum complex also includes a unique Augustinian Baroque library with valuable historical books. They are stored in beautiful cabinets decorated with artistic carvings. It was made in the 18th century under abbot Matouš Josef Pertscher. In addition to the library, you can also visit the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Old Brno.
Guided tours of the Mendel Museum (Czech, English, German) must be booked in advance, at least 4 days before you plan to visit. During opening hours, you can visit the Old Brno Monastery Museum without a guide.
Opening hours:
April – October:
Tuesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
November – March:
Tuesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Transport
Address: Mendlovo náměstí 157/1, Brno, 603 00
Public transport
The Augustinian Monastery is located in the Old Brno district of Brno, easily accessible by public transport. A basic ticket costs CZK 20 for a 15-minute ride and can be bought at yellow vending machines at bus stops, via text message or by placing a payment card to a terminal directly in public transport vehicles.
Stops:
- Mendlovo náměstí (2 min. walk), trams 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, bus 67
Parking
The Augustinian Monastery is located in the city parking zone B, which means that on weekends parking is FREE and on weekdays parking fee is 30 CZK / 60 min with the possibility of pre-payment. FREE parking is only available once per calendar day and you must register in the zone (except on weekends and public holidays). You can use a mobile app to pay. Find more information on parking in Brno and the app to download here.
St. Anne Parking is also available within walking distance.
Information for the disabled
Wheelchair access
Access to the Augustinian Monastery is from the park on the Mendlovo náměstí square. Behind the entrance door, there is a staircase with a ramp for wheelchair users to the raised ground floor, where the entire exhibition is located. There is a wheelchair access toilet in the building. The monastery tour circuit is not wheelchair accessible (different height levels, levelling stairs). There is parking reserved for wheelchair users at the adjacent Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Event on site:
