Description of the attraction
In the former suburb of Krakow called Mohyla, which has long become part of the city and is called more euphoniously - Nowa Huta, there is a large Cistercian monastery. For the first time, monks from the Cistercian order appeared in Krakow at the beginning of the 13th century. They were patronized by the local bishop Ivo Odrowonj himself. Just a few years after their arrival in this city, the monks acquired a plot for the future abbey. The land was located outside of Krakow in the village of Mohyla. In 1225, the first stone was laid in the foundation of the future monastery and the church attached to it, which was first consecrated with the names of the Mother of God and St. Wenceslas, then renamed in honor of the Holy Cross.
The construction of the holy monastery, which received the name "Clara Tumba", which in translation from Latin means "Bright Tomb", was completed in 1228.
The further fate of the monastery was not without the Tatar-Mongol robberies (in 1241), destruction by fire (in 1447) and attacks by the Swedes (mid-17th century). The abbey was repaired or rebuilt and found a second life. The monastery was rich and prosperous, so many monarchs visited it, including the Emperor of Russia Alexander I.
Throughout its existence, the monastery did not change its owners. It is still owned by the Cistercians. The abbey is large enough and consists of the Church of the Holy Cross, recognized as a basilica, the main monastery building, several barns and a house for the abbot, which was erected in 1569 and has not been rebuilt since then. Next to the abbey there is a historical cemetery, where previously only noble people and local monks were buried. The tombs of the famous gentry have survived to this day.
