Filiation: Morimond-Ebrach
Foundation: 1136
Resolution: 1784, resuscitation from 1898
Stična, founded by Peregrin, Patriarch of Aquileja, daughter monastery of Rein, is the oldestmonastery on the territory of present-day Slovenia. Stična acquired large landholdings through generous donations and was one of the most important religious and economic centres of the former Margraviate of Carniola for many centuries. Numerous mills, farmsteads and forests have been preserved to this day.
Stična Abbey, the oldest still functioning monastery in Slovenia, is an excellent example of dynamic expansion of the Cistercian order across Europe. It was established from the filiation line Morimond (1115) – Ebrach (1127) – Rein (1129). The first monks came to Stična in 1132. The founding charter was signed in 1136 by the Aquileian Patriarch Pellegrinus I.
Over the centuries, noble benefactors donated numerous estates to the monastery, which were located all over today’s Slovenian area. Stična became religious, cultural and economic centre.
Due to the many streams and rivers, milling was always very important on the Stična estate. The profitable wine-growing estate was located in Bajnof near Novo mesto. Many granges provided for the abbey, with the largest in Marof, only a kilometre away from the monastery. For the needs of fish farming, the monks arranged four larger pond systems on their estate. They also took care of the maintenance and artistic renovation of many churches located in the Stična church territory. The influence of the Stična monks is still evident in today’s cultural heritage and landscape.
With the Josephine reforms of 1784, the monastery was disbanded. After 114 years, the monks returned to Stična, where they still operate today.