The community of Jasov is situated in south-west part of Košice basin, in distance of  27 kilometres from the town of Košice, where Bodva-river flows. So, just here, there was founded, in the middle of nature, Jasov Monastery. The construction undergone four development stages, before it got its actual face. The first building was probably made from wood. Later, stone building in Romanesque style, within rule of Koloman, Hungarian Prince, was constructed. During period of Tartar military troops (1241-1242), the construction was destroyed, and later, in the course of 15th century, it was changed into fortificated castle monastery. Anyway, 18th century was a time period of big changes, when original building was destroyed, and a new, magnificent building, in a form of late Baroque monastery complex, started to be increased on this place.

A resemblance with Austrian Baroque church architecture leads us to a conclusion that an author of such project could be Anthony Pilgram, Viennese architect. The actual face has rectangular ground-floor, including two symmetrical two-stage buildings. They are placed along both parts of monastery church, with its two-towers´ front facade. An indivisible part of Jasov Premonstrate Abbey are formed with two closed courtyards of square ground-plan, used as meditation garden in past. As a lengthening of main axis of the church, a monastery library is to be found, which contains several tens of thousands books (copies) from philosophy, theology, history, medicine, nature sciences or geography branches. So, actual building of monastery complex was made by  Abbot Andrew Sauberer, according to plans of Anthony Pilgram (just mentioned above), and the construction was realized by Anthony Salzgeber.

Painting decoration of Jasov monastery complex was made,with an important way, by painter Jan Luca Kracker, respectable artist. His works do not decorate the interior of abbot church of St. John Baptist only but also the vaults in library and separate rooms in the monastery. Kracker was intent on picturing (in five vault fields) of most important fates of St. John Baptist, on base of messages from Holy Bible. His frescos note John´s birth, his stay in desert, his preaching activity, as well as martyr´s death by means of decapitation as well as so called Sky Concert. Sculptor Jan Anthony Kraus partecipated also on decoration of church interior, and his creation reached his top just in Jasov. He is an author of figure plastic works, placed on separate altars, consoles and alcoves as well as of chubby - faced figures of small angels (putti).

Indivisible part of monastery complex is formed with monastery ornamental garden. Its Baroque style, with regular disposition was preserved till now, following fully monastery´s architecture. The attention of visitors is captivated with original landscape gardening elements, shaped wooden trees as well as proportionate nest of pavements. To monastery complex belongs also a fountain, placed just opposite monastery church portal. At present, vast reconstruction works are being made, when all such works will be finished, the monastery will become more attractive. In th community, you can visit Jasov Cave, open for public by Premonstratensian Order just in 1846. The cave, registered in survey of UNESCO, world heritage centre, is situated at south part of the community, on the area of Slovak Paradise National Park.

Text/photo: Karin Bogschová

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Source: jasov-opraem.sk