A Cistercian abbey in South Bohemia founded in 1259. It was closed in 1941 and again by the communist regime in 1950, and monastic life resumed in 1990. The community is taking new members: in September 2026 it had its first priestly ordination in the monastery in more than eighty years.
What it needs
The monks are asking for donations to furnish the Chapel of the Holy Family in their guest house, in solid wood using traditional craft techniques, with the brothers making the main altar themselves. The plan put the oak pews in 2025 (the abbey reported the first half installed), and new solid-oak doors went in in August 2026; the 2027 stage covers side altars, painted-glass windows and remaining furnishings, with completion and blessing planned for 2028.
Before you act. A modest furnishing project with no published budget or target; the December 2024 appeal said about 70% of the funding was already covered. The abbey's larger building works are grant-funded and have no public appeal.
Last checked 9 November 2026. Responsible body: Cisterciácké opatství Vyšší Brod (the abbey itself; payment reference 777 for the chapel, 5555 for general gifts).
The friars say that with limited funds they do only what is essential each year. Their 2026 list of needs includes finishing sanitary facilities for pilgrims in the east wing, starting the reconstruction of the west wing for the brothers and later for sisters and pilgrims, a new boiler room, eight lunette windows in the cloister corridor and refurbished doors.
The municipality restores the convent wing by wing with grants; the current EU co-financed stage covers part of one facade and one hall. Two public collections are open: 'Zachraň klášterní sen', to save one of the largest ceiling frescoes in West Bohemia, and a long-running collection to replace the convent's windows.
