The Museum of Literature in Moravia in Rajhrad

Following extensive building repairs, the Museum of Literature in Moravia has been opened at the premises of the Benedictine monastery in Rajhrad.

In summer 2008, a second part of the large exhibition was opened to visitors.

Rajhrad has long been famous as a centre of culture. From the monastery gallery, for example, came the Gothic passion paintings of the Master of the Rajhrad altarpiece, presently stored in galleries in Prague and Brno. In the past, Rajhrad Library held a collection of the illuminated manuscripts of Queen Richeza and other rare early prints.

This permanent exhibition presents examples of Moravian literature from the past 1,000 years and allows one to see parts of the monastery premises, including the church, capitular hall and cloisters. The restored historical library, with 7,500 volumes on display, is the undeniable jewel of the exhibition. The library of the Benedictine monastery in Rajhrad is one of the largest monastery libraries in the Czech Republic. A large number of unique books are housed in its collection, which consists of 65,000 old volumes and printed works from the 19th century. You can find out what is available by searching through the pages of an original catalogue, as well as by checking a digital catalogue. Catalogues are available that allow one to search for books from the 16th century, literature relating to the Czech lands and prints published in Brno. The catalogues are prepared by the employees of the Moravian Library in Brno, which administers the Library of the Benedictine Monastery in Rajhrad. At present, the collection is being newly catalogued.

The Brno–Vienna International Cycle Track leads to the monastery, and a visit to the grounds can be made even more pleasant for visitors by a visit to the Monastery Tavern restaurant.