Hospic Other

Welcome to White Water and welcome to this unique historical monument, which is now under the name hospice, House No. 60. You are standing right in front of a building that at first sight acts as part of an old townhouse, but its history dates back to the eighteenth century and is inseparably linked to the creation of the local piarist monastery. This building is not just an ordinary house, but a living witness to the history that took place in this region. Now, when you put on your headphones and let me take you in my voice, let's try to reveal together the layers of time that have settled in this place. Look at the facade, its texture and the way the building is being placed in the surrounding environment. Although at first sight it may seem to be a quiet and subtlety construction, important life stories of many people took place in its walls, from workers to pilgrims to teachers and social workers.

Let's go back over 300 years to 1723. At that time, there was a magnificent construction of a piarist monastery that required huge amounts of work and money. The founder of this monastery was Prince Jakub Arnešt of Liechtenstein-Castelkorn, who wanted to create a centre of education and spiritual life in White Water. However, the construction of such monumental work was not quick and required that workers, craftsmen and pilgrims who travelled here to pray or support the work were constantly present at the construction. It was therefore necessary to create a temporary accommodation that would serve these people as a temporary home. This hospice was built for this very purpose. It was not a luxury residence, but a practical and functional place where people working at a monastery or travelling here could find a roof over their heads. So this building was created as a servant of a great idea that would change the shape of this city.

Now pay attention to the architectural details that are still visible on the facade. Although the budoba has changed and rebuilt over the centuries, some elements have been preserved and told about its original purpose. Look up above the main entrance portals. There you will find a statue of St. Florian, patron saint of fire-fighters and protector, which was very important in earlier times to protect wooden buildings and wooden roofs. Next to the statue is a cartouche dated 1723, which shows exactly the year when this part of the building was completed or consecrated. This detail is crucial for historians and history lovers because it confirms the chronology of the creation of this complex. The Statue of Saint Florian is not a coincidence, but a reflection of the fears and believers at the time to protect the divine from the dangers of fire.

In addition to the statue and the data, notice the overall shape of the building. Hospic was built as part of a larger complex, which means that its architecture corresponded to the needs of mass accommodation. He probably had a simple but solid wall and roof that protected the inner spaces from rain and snow. Even if we can't see inside today, we can imagine what the rooms looked like. They were probably simple rooms with beds where the workers rested after a difficult day. The atmosphere here was certainly full of life, noise and conversations in different languages, because pilgrims and workers came from different corners of the country.

The historical context of this place is closely linked to the person of Prince James Arnošt of Liechtenstein-Castelkorn. His vision was ambitious and required not only financial resources, but also organisation and logistics. Hospic was one of the elements of this logistics which allowed the building of the monastery to continue without interruption. Without such accommodation it would be impossible to maintain a steady flow of construction workers. In this way, this house became an integral part of the process that brought education, culture and spiritual development to White Water. The piarists who later worked here brought with them new methods of teaching and education that had an impact on the whole area.

After completing the main monastery, the role of this hospice gradually changed. The original provisional purpose was replaced by more permanent functions. From 1786 to 1896 the poor school sisters of our Lady worked here. These rules focused on raising poor children and providing social care. The presence of nurses in this house means that there were not only beds for pilgrims, but also classes where children learned to read, write and pray. This transition from accommodation for pilgrims to an education and social care institution shows the adaptability of this place. The building adapted to the needs of the company that developed around it. The sisters here created an environment that was filled with love, discipline and education. Their work has had a profound impact on the lives of many children from White Water and the surroundings.

Another important chapter in the history of this hospice is the period after 1940. At that time, the world changed, and with it, people's needs. The facility served as a shelter for immigrants and refugees. This function indicates the humanitarian dimension of this building. Even in difficult times when people had to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere, this house offered a roof and security. It was a place where people could recover from suffering and start a new life. This role of the shelter is an important part of the identity of this place because it shows that there were not only historical and religious activities but also real help to people in need.

The interesting thing that can impress a visitor is that this hospice was built before 1727, which means it was one of the first buildings in the complex of the piarist monastery. This suggests that the founders knew that they would need accommodation for a large number of people and that this accommodation would be needed in the long term. The statue of Saint Florian and Cartouche dated 1723 are now some of the few preserved elements that remind us of this early stage of development. It is interesting how the function of the building changed from accommodation for pilgrims, to school and welfare, to shelter for refugees. Each of these features contributed to the rich history of this place.

When you search this place, you can imagine how different scenes took place here. You can imagine workers leaving the building and entering the hospice to rest. You can imagine sisters teaching children to read and write. You can imagine how refugees seek refuge in these walls. Each of these scenes is part of the history of this place and contributes to its unique atmosphere. Even though the building may seem quiet and quiet today, the voices of the people who lived and worked here remain in its walls.

In conclusion, I'd like to invite you to take a closer look at this place. Take your time and look