Plasy Monastery

The Cistercians came to Plasy in 1144 and the convent was rebuilt from 1711 by Jan Blazej Santini-Aichel on ground that was waterlogged marsh in the Strela valley. His solution was structural and is still working: the building stands on around five thousand oak piles driven into the marsh, kept sound by being permanently submerged, and to guarantee that the water level never drops he designed a system of channels and basins running through the lowest floor, so water flows under and through the building deliberately. The lowest level can be visited and the water is there. Above it is a monumental staircase, a chapel and a library hall. After dissolution the estate went to Metternich, whose family tomb is in the church of St Wenceslas. There is a museum of the estate's iron industry in the outbuildings and a large granary by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer.

What you actually see

• Five thousand oak piles - the foundation, kept sound by staying submerged.
• Water inside the building - channels and basins running through the lowest floor.
• A monumental staircase - Santini's ceremonial interior above.
• The Metternich tomb - in the church of St Wenceslas nearby.

When to go

April to October. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Guided tours only, seasonal, with several separate routes and tickets. The water level rooms are damp and cool. Restoration is ongoing and some areas are closed.

Nearby

Marianska Tynice is north; Plzen is south.