Pleterje Charterhouse Monastery

It is only still inhabited Carthusian monastery in Slovenia with seven remaining white monks of strictest contemplative order in Romancatholic church. Domus sanctissime Trinitatis is the official latin name of Pleterje Charterhouse Monastery where monks are living secluded, behind walls in colloquial silence, work and prayer. Pleterje is youngest of the four Slovene Carthusian monasteries and was founded by Count Herman II of Celje in 1403 in a remote valley next to village Šentjernej under Gorjanci hills. It fas founded on a place where in 10th century castle Sicherstein was standing. Trubles for monastery and carthusian monks started early already in 1456 with death of last count of Celje Ulrik. With no defence, monastery was damaged several times during sieges of Turks in 15th century. Because of spiritual decay and and poor founding Archduke Ferdinand II. hands over the monastery to order of Jesuits which renovated and fortified monastery. They remained in charge of Pleterje monastery from 1595 to 1773. During state reforms in the end of 18th century and suppression of Jesuit order Austro - Hungarian emperor and Enlightment despot Franz Joseph II. closed monastery by decree due to operating and maintenance costs. It was left to ruin, estates were bought by barons Borsch-Borschod. In a year 1899 carthusian monks that were exiled from Grenoble by liberals repurchased Pleterje monastery and renovated it and revived the order in the region of Slovenia. Three other carthusian monasteries in this parts were: Žiče, founded in 1160, Jurklošter in 1170 and Bistra in year 1255. They brought many farming inovations that Older documents confiscated by Josef II in the 18th century are today also preserved in the ARS. The founding charter is preserved in the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia (ARS).

The old monastery architecture is not preserved, apart from the church of St Trinity and parts of some buildings. The church (which is only open for groups) presents a unique type of Gothic architecture in Central Europe. A multivision system presents the history of the monastery and the life of the monks to visitors.

The monastery incorporates a rich library and a collection of some 44 oil paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, which are attributed to the Flemish, French, Italian and German Masters. A collection belonging to Dolenjska Museum is also installed in the vestibule of the church.

It is also possible to purchase a range of garden produce and other products here, including the famous Pleterje pear brandy.

Adjacent to the monastery is an open-air museum:

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Pleterje Charterhouse Monastery

See also

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