Day 2: Explore the land of churches and quiet paths of the Broumov Region

The Broumov group of churches was recently included in the tangible cultural heritage of UNESCO. In the region where the Benedictine Order of Broumov was building generously during its greatest glory, numerous small Baroque monuments were built – crosses, devotional pillars, chapels, churches and monasteries. 
The churches, which were primarily built between 1709 and 1743 according to the designs of the architects Kryštof and his son Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofers, now attract pilgrims to visit them, but also add to the landscape and give it a unique atmosphere. You can absorb the spiritual dimension of the place throughout the year. Only in summer, however, the churches are opened during the Za poklady Broumovska festival and are permeated with music to open new paths for visitors – perhaps all the way to the soul.

TIP: There are eleven Baroque churches in Broumov in this architecturally significant group! So one day definitely would not be enough for you to tour them. Slow down and give yourself more time for a pilgrimage in the Broumov region.

DID YOU KNOW... the only church in this group that is not the work of father and son Dientzenhofers is the Church of St. George and Martin in Martínkovice. It was built by Martin Allio – the builder of the monastery church in Broumov.

The Broumov monastery is the dominant feature of the whole town. The large complex with its library, monastery garden, gallery, café and restaurant is the ideal place to spend a whole day. In the monastery you can also see several unique objects – for example, a copy of the Shroud of Turin, a church with rich fresco and stucco decoration and the Abbey Gallery. 
The space for contemporary art is the Galerie Dům. The Benedictine cellars of Broumov hide the most delicious ‘monastery secret’ – a wine gallery with a wine shop. 
In the town, at the local cemetery, take a look inside the wooden Church of Our Lady. The wooden half-timbered structure is built using traditional techniques without the use of nails. Inside, it hides impressive paintings and an executioner’s block.

ACCOMMODATION TIP: Experience how it was to live in the cells of the Broumov monastery. The Benedictine monks who lived here three hundred years ago were guided by their motto ora et labora (pray and work), so the local accommodation offers clean but simple facilities in a quiet part of the monastery overlooking the garden.