Bistra - Carthusian Monastery (Charterhouse) 

The Carthusian Monastery Bistra is situated in Vrhnika Commune in the southwestern border of the Ljubljana swamp. The beginnings of the monastery go to the year 1220, when the Carinthia duke Bernard Spanheimski invited to Kranjska the first Carthusian monks. Bistra was one of the fourth Carthusian Monasteries in Slovenia. Beside Bistra were also Zicka Carthusian, Pleterje Carthusian and Jurkloster Carthusian. Bistra reached its highest point in the economical and cultural development in the 14th century. The monastery was through centuries many times affected from earthquakes and fires. From the medieval plan was only preserved the small part of the Gothic cloisters from the year 1449. The kernel of the building was the one nave church from the 13th century, which was demolished in the year 1808. It was standing in the place where the courtyard opens today to the park. The Chapel of Saint Joseph, which is decorated with frescos and stuccoes of Anton Cebe from the 18th century is located by the present baroque crossing to the inner yard. By the brook were in the 16th century built the farm buildings. The monastery was in the 17th century renovated and added the baroque arcades. The Hapsburg emperor Joseph II. in the year 1782 published the decree about dissolving of the monasteries. The monks had to left the monastery and with the property managed the state. In the year 1826 bought the buildings and the surrounding property the manufacturer and merchant Franc Galle. He changed the monastery to the manor house. The manor house was afther the second world war with all the property nationalized. Technical Museum of Slovenia is in the Cahteau Bistra from the year 1951.

Interactive map with sights

Bistra - Carthusian Monastery (Charterhouse)

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