Nová Ríse: Monastery, Culture and Routes

Nová Ríse combines monastic history, sacred culture and routes through the landscape. At its centre is the Premonstratensian monastery in Nová Říše, complemented by churches, mountains, literary traces and various routes. If you are looking for more than a single attraction on your trip, you will find several themes here that can be combined into your own discoveries.

The Premonstratensian Monastery as a Cultural Centre

The Premonstratensian monastery in Nová Říše was founded as a convent for women in 1211 and later converted into a monastery for men. It is partially open to the public as part of guided tours. These tours include the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, the Chapel of Saint Anne, the Baroque library, exhibition halls, the music hall, the prelature, the picture gallery and the treasury.

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul offers particularly many points of interest for cultural discovery. It dates from the second half of the 17th century and contains rare interior features: frescoes, an organ, a wooden pulpit and wooden pews. The monastery library contains more than 20,000 volumes. Four rare 18th-century herbarium volumes served as the model for the decoration of the so-called Novoříšská keramika. The monastery complex also houses the “Síň Pavla a Antonína Vranických” exhibition.

Churches, the Stations of the Cross and Literary Traces

Another religious attraction is the Stations of the Cross in Nová Říše. It consists of a cross and thirteen brick niche chapels with a uniform architectural design dating from the second half of the 19th century. The churches of U Svaté Magdalena and U Svatého Křiže are located nearby. Svatá Markéta is another church in the vicinity of Nová Říše.

Literature is also part of the history of the place: almost the entire poetic oeuvre of Otokar Březina was created in Nová Říše. During a stay here, sacred buildings, historic collections and a personal literary connection to the place therefore come together.

Mountains and Destinations in the Surrounding Area

The mountains U Obrázku, Hory, Kleniční and Rudný are located around Nová Říše. In the wider regional area, there is also Roštejn Castle in Doupě. These destinations complement a visit to the monastery with landscape and day-trip themes.

Cycling and Routes with Different Characteristics

Two routes described in different ways are also available for planning your outings. The cycling tour from Telč to Želetava follows the red trail markings and a cycling route to Nová Říše. The “Duše Regionu Renesance” route leads away from the well-known tourist centres to wooded, remote places and up to the heights of the hills.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to consider other places besides Nová Ríse, you can continue your research with Vápovice, Hladov, Kamenná and Jihlavy, Suchá, Řídelov, Plandry, Záborná and Doupě.

To the higher-level travel overview: Jihlava District.