Governors Palace / Místodržitelský palác - Moravské námestí (Brno)
N 49° 11.861 E 016° 36.483
33U E 617148 N 5450675
Baroque Governors Palace (Místodržitelský palác), former prelature of Augustinian Convent in Brno, is one of the most beautiful high-Baroque palaces in the Moravian metropolis...
Waymark Code: WMNGXZ
Location: Jihomoravský kraj, Czechia
Date Posted: 03/15/2015
Views: 27
Baroque Governors Palace (Místodržitelský palác), former prelature of Augustinian Convent in Brno, is one of the most beautiful high-Baroque palaces in the Moravian metropolis.
The history the palace is closely connected with St. Thomas church and Augustinian order. This architectural complex dates back to the mid-14th century when it was founded as an Augustinian convent by Moravian margrave Jan Jidrich. However, the present appearance is a result of its Baroque reconstruction by Jan Krtitel Erna in the 1660s and namely the final reshaping (1722-1752) supervised by the Brno architect Moritz Grimm. After the reconstruction was convent promoted to Augustinian abbey.
Later, as a result of Emperor Joseph’s II reforms in the early 80s, the Augustinians were forced to move into the Old Brno Monastery. A new governmental, provincial and estate offices were moved into the empty representative palace for a long period of time. The following adaptations which concerned mainly the interiors were designed by the Viennese court architect Franz Anton Hillebrandt. The provincial authorities used this palace as the seat of the governor even after 1918 but during the Protectorate (1939-1945) the Czechoslovak state’s authorities were replaced by German Nazi invaders.
Novadays, as a part of the Moravian Gallery, the Governor's Palace offers a permanent exhibition of art from the Gothic period to the 19th century which includes the Drawing and Graphic Cabinet and spaces for temporary exhibitions. The Governor’s Palace also contains a Baroque hall with a capacity of 150 seats which is used for a variety of events and exhibitions.