Porta Coeli Monastery

Porta Coeli is a Cistercian monastery in Tišnov-Předklášteří, a small village near Brno in the Czech Republic. The monastery was founded in 1233 by Queen Constance, the second Queen consort of Ottokar I of the Czech Přemyslid dynasty. The centerpiece of the monastic complex is the Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, fronted on the west by an imposing early Gothic portal, an important monument in the history of Gothic sculpture in the region. With recumbent lions on each side and adorned with foliate and baccate motifs, the portal is lined with large figures of the apostles along the jambs. The tympanum is decorated with the figures of Christ flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist, symbols of the Evangelists, and the kneeling figures of Constance and Ottokar I presenting a model of the church. After many years without proper maintenance, the portal was deteriorating at an alarming rate, prompting WMF to step in to assist with its restoration.

In 2001 and 2002, WMF provided technical assistance and financial support for the restoration of the damaged portal. Prior work had included historical research and a series of technical investigations, carried out by an accomplished team of Czech and Slovak experts.

Click on the image block to read more about our work at this site.