The Reliquary of St. Maurus

The Hotel - Restaurant “U ZÁMKU” is located nearby the Baroque chateau where the Romanesque reliquary of St. Maurus, the only relic of this kind in the Czech Republic, is kept in a vault room.

A monumental work of Romanesque goldsmithery of incalculable value.

One of the biggest historical treasures in Europe.

The Reliquary of St. Maurus was created for the Benedictine monastery of Florennes (Belgium) in the middle of the 13^th century.

It was designed to hold the relics of three holy men – Maurus, John the Baptist and Timothy.

These saints enjoyed great respect and therefore the chest was beautifully decorated. It used to be carried on a stretcher during holy services and in processions; crowds worshipped the relic in churches. Similar chests were made by the best craftsmen in French-speaking countries and Germany. There are only five other reliquaries in the world that can be compared to Bečov’s Reliquary of St. Maurus for its significance and the richness of its implementation.

The Benedictine monastery was burned down and sacked during the French Revolution. The reliquary was placed in a church’s store room. Being in financial straits the parish offered it for sale.

The purchase was negotiated by the Count Alfredde Beaufort, a descendant of an old French family, who also possessed properties in the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. He bought the reliquary for 2500 francs; had it repaired and transported to his estate in Bečov. There he put it on display in the chapel.

When the Beauforts left their mansion in 1945 they secretly buried the reliquary beneath the floor in the chapel where it remained for 40 years.

The wooden chest is gilded, decorated with filigree, glass, jewels; and so-called “ancient gems”.

www.zamek-becov.cz

The Hotel - Restaurant “U ZÁMKU” is ready to book you a guided tour around the Reliquary of St. Maurus exposition.