The cloth that Jesus was allegedly wrapped in after he died is considered to be one of the most valuable relics. To scientists, it is just a piece of cloth, woven from flax thread, which can be measured, weighed and taken apart up to the individual fibres. But the truth about its origin is still shrouded with many legends and secrets. You can find the original in Turin, Italy, and one of its copies is available in East Bohemia.
The Mysterious Shroud of Turin
The Turin shroud is a long piece of linen cloth used to cover Jesus Christ after he died. An interesting thing is the imprint of a male face and body that is still noticeable on the cloth. Its history is long, but the verified written records of the origins of the shroud come from the sixteenth century. The shroud is a relic, a rare remnant reminding us of the life of a saint that Catholics from all over the world come to see. It used to be so popular that copies were made so that believers did not have to travel too far and could remember Jesus’ life closer to their homes. About fifty copies are available all around the world and one of them is in the Czech Republic.
The Only One in Central Europe!
To see the famous shroud, visit Broumov in East Bohemia and go on a tour of the Broumov Monastery. The Broumov copy of the Shroud of Turin is the only one in Central Europe and it is also one of the best copies. The shroud was discovered inside a wooden box in the monastery’s Church of St. Adalbert in 1999. It is an image painted on a linen cloth using four shades of brown and beige. When the shroud, with the same dimensions as the original, was unfolded, there was “atti autentici,” a public instrument confirming its authenticity. It implies that the shroud was given to the Abbot of St. Nicholas in Prague Old Town, the later Prague archbishop, by Archbishop Julius Caesar Bergiria of Turin in 1651. He later gave the shroud to the Broumov Monastery. The public instrument also states that the copy touched the original shroud in a ceremony.
Broumov Monastery – The East Bohemian Masterpiece
A visit to the monastery is an unforgettable experience! You can see the spectacular Abbey Church of St. Adalbert, the library with thousands of books, or the sacristy with rare furniture. The large basement of the Broumov Monastery also contains mummies that are several hundred years old, from the crypt of the church in nearby Vamberk. Another opportunity to learn about the life in the monastery is the interactive tour of the medieval monastery scribe room, together with a tour of the monastery library. Travel in time to the Middle Ages and see what it was like to write or draw with a goose quill and ink in the scribe room replica.
Our Tip
Spend a night in the Broumov Monastery if you are looking for some unusual accommodation! The rooms are simple, but authentic, with one-of-a-kind genius loci.
Wild Rock Formations
Broumov is surrounded with beautiful nature. The Adršpach-Teplice Rocks are the largest and wildest ‘rock city’ in Central Europe that has fascinated tourists and wanderers since the eighteenth century. Some parts of the rock formations are only accessible on ladders! Naturally, there are trails for hikers, for families and older tourists as well, but if you would like to get your adrenaline high, here is a unique opportunity. The local rocks are popular among rock-climbers who test their limits there.
