Kláštor piaristov
Piaristický kláštor forms an intrinsic silhouette of the small Spiš town of Podolínec. It was built in the mid-17th century in the Early Baroque style. Right in the middle of the monastery stands a two-tower church dedicated to the Kraków martyr Saint Stanislaus. Come and get acquainted with the interesting history of this exceptional place.
The Piarist order was founded by St. Joseph Calasanz, who established the very first free elementary school in Europe. The Piarists came to Slovakia in 1642 at the invitation of the Polish prince Stanisław Lubomirski, who also owned Podolínec at that time. On December 10, 1642, a solemn mass was held in Podolínec on this occasion, celebrated by the Kraków canon Krzysztof Sapelius. He consecrated the cornerstone of the future monastery and erected a wooden cross at the site of the future church. The school built in the courtyard was opened on June 18, 1643.
Wealthy students who attended it were of Polish, Slovak, German, and Hungarian nationality. The Piarist grammar school was an important center of education and Christian upbringing in Slovakia. Throughout its history, the monastery faced many adversities of fate. In 1662, it was struck by a flood, and in 1669, the entire monastery succumbed to a devastating fire.
The church was first consecrated in 1651. The consecration was performed by Kraków bishop Piotr Gembický. For the second time, after a fire in 1671, it was consecrated by bishop Mikołaj Oborski. The period of Piarist education ended with the onset of Maria Theresa's rule. During her reign, a school reform took place, introducing a revolutionary novelty, compulsory school attendance. This opened the path to education for wide strata of the population. Since the founding of the college, 31,000 pupils have studied at the Piarist grammar school.
After the departure of the Piarists, Redemptorists came to the monastery in July 1922 at the invitation of Spiš bishop Ján Vojtaššák. However, their activity did not last long, and they left Podolínec in April 1927. They returned for a second time in August 1940. Currently, the monastery is the seat of the Redemptorist novitiate, lay missionary communities, a church special elementary school, a secondary vocational school, and a children's home. The patron of the schools is the Redemptorist St. Clement Hofbauer.
The entire monastery building has the character of a fortress, is multi-story, and features four defensive towers at its corners. The church, located in the middle, divides the inner courtyard into two parts, the economic part from the north and the paradise garden from the south. From this courtyard, one can see the Piarist coat of arms and very rare sundials on the church wall. The interior of the monastery church is adorned with magnificent frescoes, sculptures, paintings, and a main altar with the largest altarpiece in Slovakia, depicting a scene from the life of St. Stanislaus.
During your wanderings, drop by nearby Holumnica and take a look at the ruins of Holumnický hrad castle. Your next stop can be the village of Vyšné Ružbachy, which is famous for its spa with healing thermal mineral water. During the summer, you can swim at the Izabela summer thermal swimming pool and refresh yourself in a natural travertine pool that locals call "Kráter". Quality accommodation near Piaristický kláštor monastery can be found on our website, accommodation in Podolínec. Do not hesitate and book your weekend stay in Spiš today.
