Chotesov Monastery

2004 World Monuments Watch

Founded in the twelfth century by Magifico of Hroznata to administer to a scarcely populated region in the Bohemian borderlands, Chotěšov Monastery was at the epicenter of religious conflict for much of its existence. Sacked and burned three times by Hussite and Protestant forces, yet defiantly rebuilt each time. Chotěšov stood as a bulwark against the tide of the reformation. Chotěšov’s final baroque transformation in the mid-eighteenth century signified the triumph of Catholicism in Bohemia, after which the monastery reached the apex of its wealth and power. In 1784, Emperor Joseph II, attempting to break the church's power in his dominions, ordered the closure of monasteries, including Chotěšov, which later became a school. Occupied again throughout the latter half of the twentieth century by German, American, and communist forces, Chotěšov is now in poor condition due to lack of maintenance, Since 2000. a major re-roofing project has been carried out on the convent building and emergency repairs have been implemented with government funding; however, the structure still lacks windows and doors, and is in need of emergency repair.

Since the Watch

The building remains in a state of ruin, but is open for visitors and holds frequent events. A local civic association has successfully raised modest funding for repairs since Watch listing. Currently, contributions support window repair. Volunteers of all ages provide much-needed help at this sizable site. January 2011