Red Monastery

The Red Monastery (Červený kláštor) is a monastic complex in Slovakia, located in a picturesque area on the banks of the Dunajec River, at the border of the Pieniny Mountains and the Spišská Magura. It was founded in 1319 by the Hungarian nobleman Kokosz Berzewiczy as part of a penance for murder. Construction of the monastery began in 1330, and it was initially known as the Lechnica Monastery, named after a nearby village. Supported by donations, including those from Polish kings, the monastery played a significant role in the region, engaging in various aspects of local community life. Over the centuries, it was inhabited first by Carthusian monks and later by Camaldolese monks. The complex was expanded to include several buildings, such as a hospital and a pharmacy. A well-known monk of the monastery was Brother Cyprian, who served as a physician and botanist. He created an herbarium describing around 300 plant species from the Pieniny Mountains. Legends about him tell of incredible feats, such as gliding from the summit of Trzy Korony (Three Crowns) in a glider. The monastery faced numerous challenges, including looting by the Hussites, and was ultimately dissolved by Emperor Joseph II in 1782. After a fire in 1907, the monastic buildings became the property of the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture and were later renovated and declared a national cultural monument. The Red Monastery is not only an important architectural landmark but also a significant cultural and historical site, bearing witness to social and political changes in the region.