Former convent of St. Claire order / Bývalý lášter klarisek - Panenský Týnec (North-West Bohemia)
N 50° 17.758 E 013° 54.981
33U E 422816 N 5572100
Complex of former St. Claire convent with ruin of monumental unfinished Gothic church is the key architectural dominant of market town Panenský Týnec near town Louny (North-West Bohemia).
Waymark Code: WMPYC4
Location: Ústecký kraj, Czechia
Date Posted: 11/10/2015
Views: 35
Complex of former St. Claire convent with ruin of monumental unfinished Gothic church is the key architectural dominant of market town Panenský Týnec near town Louny (North-West Bohemia).
The history and fortune of market town Panenský Týnec is deeply interconnected with the Convent of St. Claire, which was centuries the most important town's object. And the Convent gave to the town also adjective in its name...
The town's name "Týnec" is derived from the word "Týn" or an old Celtic word "Taun" which means "palisade-fortified". The adjective "Panenský / Virgin" was later added thanks to nuns of the Order of St. Claire from the above mentioned local convent. The first written mention of Týnec comes from 1115 and is related to Kladruby monastery and the village itself was mentioned in 1186.
The powerful Czech noble house of Žirotín had a cardinal influence on the development of the region. The first known representative of the house, Jan of Žirotín, allegedly built Žirotín Castle between 1230-1253. His son Habart founded and richly donated the newly-established Convent of the order of St. Claire as a thanksgiving because his wife nad been healed by St. Agnes of Bohemia, who represented and protected the order. We also suppose St. Agnes of Bohemia lived here at the end of her life. Members of the house of Žirotín intended to built a three-nave Gothic church that was not finished unfortunately.
The Convent, heavily damaged during Hussite wars, was rebuilt by Jaroslav of Žirotín in 1443. In following centuries it was rebuilt several times in Renaissance and Baroque style. Present appearance of convent buildings is Baroque. Convent was abolished during Joseph II's reforms in 1782. Nowadays convent accomodates Municipal office, small bistro and spaces for cultural use.