New book documents the history of the monastery in Zlatá Koruna

Golden Crown (Českokrumlov Region) - A new book charts the history of the monastery in Golden Crown in the Českokrumlov region, which was presented today by South Bohemian Heritage Preservationists. The publication titled The Golden Crown Monastery: History - Monuments - People involved 35 authors who documented the history of the site and its significant reconstructions. The texts are based on thorough archival research and archaeological, construction, and restoration surveys, said Golden Crown's steward, Zdeněk Troup, to ČTK.
    "This book concludes a journey that began in the 1980s when a large-scale reconstruction started. The years of repairs brought additional insights that were not organized," said the steward. Last May, a professional conference took place at the monastery, and what was discussed there became the foundation for the new publication.
    It has nearly 800 pages and will be available in distribution in January. It contains 46 interrelated studies, with individual fields overlapping. Readers will learn how the monastery shaped the surrounding landscape, details about buildings, artworks, and the fates of specific people associated with the monastery.
    The Golden Crown complex, which is among the best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in the Czech Republic, was taken over by the Heritage Institute from the state scientific library in 2000; five years earlier, it was declared a national cultural monument. The extensive reconstruction lasted 20 years, with the main work finishing in 2004. However, the restoration is still ongoing, with recent discoveries including a large Baroque fresco, which had been completely hidden under a layer of lime, and in the 1960s, toilets were built in this space. "It is probably the most valuable ceiling painting of the entire complex," emphasized Troup. The fresco can be seen by researchers who visit the adjoining study room, and now also by readers of the new book.
    The anthology about Golden Crown opens four editorial series on monuments in South Bohemia. It was published in the Collectiones series, where publications are preceded by scientific conferences. "In a similar way to Golden Crown, insights are being gathered elsewhere, so we want to continue with editorial activities," explained Petr Pavelec, director of the České Budějovice branch of the National Heritage Institute. Next year, a book about the Schwarzenberg family will be published, followed by one on the transformations of Český Krumlov. This city will also appear in a monograph about the Baroque castle theater, which is being prepared by the castle steward Pavel Slavko. Books about tapestries and castle gardens are also planned.
    The Golden Crown Monastery, which is surrounded by the Vltava River on three sides, is located about eight kilometers from Český Krumlov. It was founded in 1263 by Přemysl Otakar II to defend his interests against the encroachment of the Vítkovci from the south into the interior of Bohemia. The name of the monastery refers to a supposed thorn from Christ's crown, which was given to the monastery by Přemysl Otakar II. Originally named Saint Thorny Crown according to this relic, it seems to have been changed to Golden Crown in the early 14th century in connection with the monastery's great wealth.