Zirc (Nova Clara Vallis)

ZIRC (Nova Clara Vallis). - Abbey of the Cistercian Order in the diocese of Veszprém in Hungary, the only one remaining of the 18 Hungarian Cistercian abbeys of the Middle Ages.

Founded in 1182 by Clairvaux, Z. had a flourishing life until 1527. After the defeat at Mohács by the Turks, monastic life was interrupted for two centuries, during which the buildings and the monumental church of the abbey were completely demolished, and its properties passed into the hands of laymen (until 1600), then of commendatory abbots. In 1659 Z. became a possession of the abbey of Lilienfeld (Austria), in 1699 it passed to the abbey of Heinrichau (Silesia), which restored monastic life at Z. The core of the present monastery was built between 1732 and 1745, and the monumental church in Baroque style was consecrated in 1752. In 1814 Z. became independent, and the abbeys of Pilis and Pásztó were united to it, and in 1878 that of Szentgotthárd. From 1923 the abbey, with its dependent houses, formed the «Congregatio Zircensis S. Ordinis Cisterciensis», whose constitutions were approved in 1941.

From 1814 the monks of Z. carried out their activity in the education of youth, in the sciences and in the care of souls. In 1948 Z. had 8 dependent houses, 201 professed monks, 5 schools (general school and gymnasium) with 4624 students (9 fathers carry out activity in the Universities), 19 parishes with 58,503 faithful. The abbey itself was a center of liturgical life and of Gregorian chant.

In 1950 it was suppressed by the communist government.