Historical Hotel

Hotel Podklasztorze. Where history is happening and much more …

History takes place here…

… and much more…
The omnipresent spirit of history is what mostly distinguishes Hotel Podklasztorze against other buildings.
Time stands still in here and the Cistercian motto “Ora et Labora” – “Pray and Work” acquires a new and modern dimension. To this day it seems one could hear whispers of the Cistercians absorbed in work and prayers.
Tales say that once upon a time during hunting in the Pilica Forest Kazimierz Sprawiedliwy strayed away from his retinue in pursuit of a deer. He was saved by 12 lions that led him to his company.
In the place of his salvage in 1176 the Duke decided to build a church and next to it he founded a monastery of the Cistercians – the monks he brought in from far Morimond in France.

The Cistercians’ guests

Many notable people visited the abbey over centuries: kings, dukes, artists, politicians, such as Wincenty Kadłubek, Bolesław Wstydliwy Duke of Cracow, Kazimierz Jagiellończyk or Jan Sprawiedliwy. Władysław Jagiełło and his army stayed in the abbey in June 1410 on their way to Grunwald.
The strong and rich abbey was invaded several times by Tartars and later by Swedes. Starting from the 12th century the monks were gradually transforming their residence into a fortress surrounded with a moat, fortified walls and a number of towers equipped with weapon in order to resist enemy invasions in the future.
Tsarist authorities executed dissolution of the order in 1819 and property of the abbey was taken over by the State Treasury. The church and monastery buildings were returned to the monks after over one hundred and twenty years, in 1986. The Cistercians again pray and work in the abbey and live next to the Hotel and the Restaurant.

Guided tours or a history lesson

Hotel Podklasztorze offers an extraordinary journey to its Guests round the old Cistercian Abbey.
The museum curator will introduce you to mysteries of the Cistercians’ everyday life.
Tours round the Hotel and the Abbey, not included in the option offered in packages, are possible on the Guests’ request – details in Reception.

Romanesque church

A Romanesque church, a chapter house and an armoury with the Music Tower remained from Cistercian property until now. Together with the still existing Cracow Gate as well as the Mauritanian and Attic Towers, they constitute the highest class monument of Romanesque architecture. The preserved monastery buildings charm with diversity of styles and resemble: the sandstone monastery church is alike Romanesque France; the Abbatial Tower is alike the Florian’s Gate in Cracow; the Parish is alike tenement houses in Kazimierz nad Wisłą; the Cracow Tower is alike a tower of the City Hall in Sandomierz.

Exceptional location

Exceptional location of a historic hotel within the 12th century Cistercian Abbey, close by blue waters of Pilica river, in vicinity to Sulejow Lagoon makes the place ideal both for those craving for relaxation as well as for thrill-seekers.

Hotel Podklasztorze is a historic hotel right in the centre of Poland – only 120 km from Warsaw and not far from Lodz. Settled in the central Poland makes a perfect place to organize an event for companies and corporations that have agencies in different parts of Poland.