Rajhrad
Rajhrad is the oldest monastery in Moravia, belonging to the Benedictine order. Although it was officially founded by prince Břetislav around 1045, legend says it originates from the time of the mission of Cyril and Methodius. The location was already settled in the early stone period and later there was a fenced settlement and cult grounds, as documented by the name Rajhrad – probably a composite of the words “rajati” (sacral dancing) and “hrad” (sacral sacrificial site). A stone statue of the sun god Svarog, kept in the monastery collection, is preserved from the times prior to the arrival of the Slavic apostles of faith. A Great Moravian keep gradually replaced the ancient Slavic settlement, probably with a small church.
The dominant of today’s monastery in Rajhrad is the monumental Baroque church of St. Peter and Paul, designed by Jan Blažej Santini. The interior features among else an exposition of the Moravian Monument of Scripture and a historical monastery library.
