Mendel Monuments

Margaret H. Peaslee [click here to return to my home page]

Monuments to Johann Gregor Mendel

Five trips to the Czech Republic, the first in the summer of 1991, allowed me to visit some of the places so significant in the history of the life sciences. Brno proved to be especially rich in historical sites. The Mendel Museum, the Mendelianum at the Augustinian Monastery, proved to be a treasure of information. Additional descriptions and photographs of the Mendelianum (as it was in 1992, 1995, and 1996), of Mendel's birthplace, and of his grave can be found at http://www.mendelweb.org/MWpeaslee.intro.html

Brno, Czech Republic

Now, in 2002, the Mendel Museum has been totally transformed through the work of the new abbot, Lukáš Evžen Martinec, and Mgr. Imma Mautner Markhof, Local Project Coordinator. The current display, The Genius of Genetics, A Celebration of Gregor Mendel Through Science and Art, is in a slightly different location within the Monastery and is dramatically different in its focus, incorporating artists' experiments and an interactive computer presentation.

(CLICK ON THUMBNAIL TO SEE A LARGER VIEW. THE BACK BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER WILL RETURN YOU TO THIS PAGE)

Mgr. Imma Mautner Markhof and Abbot Lukáš Evžen Martinec in the Abbot's Study at the Augustinian Monastery

Also, much has been accomplished toward repair and renovation of the Church and the Abbey. One interesting discovery was the beautiful 3-dimensional panel on the back wall of the Refectory, location of the former Mendelianum. Under the restrictive policies of the last regime (the Communist Party), religious symbolism was forbidden. Consequently, a panel was erected to conceal the artist's rendering on the back wall. Removal of the panel during restoration revealed this amazing work of art. Sadly, the arm of the figure on the far left had been cut off, but it was discovered, having been tossed behind the figures. That arm has since been reattached as part of the renovation and restoration process.

(CLICK ON THUMBNAIL TO SEE A LARGER VIEW. THE BACK BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER WILL RETURN YOU TO THIS PAGE)

Close-up of left side	Newly revealed back wall of the Refectory, formerly the Mendelianum	Close-up of right side
The Latin inscription reads, "FECISTI NOS AD TE ET INQUIETUM EST COR NOSTRUM DONEC REQUIESCAT IN TE." [Translation: "You have been good to us, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."]

The back wall of the Mendelianum was covered by a concealing panel during the Communist Era.

Greenwood Genetic Center, South Carolina

Recognized world wide as the father of modern genetics, Mendel is honored in a multitude of places. One such location is the Greenwood Genetic Center in Greenwood, South Carolina. The address of the Center is 1 Gregor Mendel Circle:

(CLICK ON THUMBNAIL TO SEE A LARGER VIEW. THE BACK BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER WILL RETURN YOU TO THIS PAGE)

Busts of Mendel can be found in two locations within the Center:

(CLICK ON THUMBNAIL TO SEE A LARGER VIEW. THE BACK BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER WILL RETURN YOU TO THIS PAGE)

One, an ivory-colored composition material, was created by the artist V. A. Kovanic.		A second was rendered in bronze.

You can reach me by E-mail: peaslee@pitt.edu Czech diacritical marks are visible when these pages are viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer. Photographs and written material are the property of Margaret Heřmánek Peaslee, unless otherwise noted. Copyright, 1998-2007, Margaret Heřmánek Peaslee.

UPT Home [click here to return to the UPT Home Page]