Chapel of Saints Cyril and Methodius on Radhošť

The Chapel of Saints Cyril and Methodius crowns the summit of Radhošť, the highest point of ecclesiastical significance in the Czech Republic, near Dolní Bečva in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids. It ranks among the defining landmarks of the Wallachia (Valašsko) region and draws both pilgrims and hikers who reach the peak alongside the nearby statue of the pagan god Radegast.

Where did the idea for a chapel on the summit come from?

The plan to raise a chapel dedicated to Cyril and Methodius on Radhošť dates back to 1862, when a commemorative gathering was held on the mountain to mark the missionary work the two brothers carried out in Great Moravia centuries earlier. Participants collected 120 gold coins toward the future construction that day, though it would take more than three decades before building actually began.

When was the chapel built, and who consecrated it?

Construction started in 1896, with the foundation stone laid on July 5 of that year. The work progressed quickly, and the finished chapel was consecrated on September 11, 1898, by Archbishop Theodor Kohn of Olomouc. Since then it has stood as the highest-situated ecclesiastical building in the country.

Why does the chapel have a Byzantine design?

The chapel's architecture deliberately evokes the Byzantine origin of Saints Cyril and Methodius, ninth-century Greek missionaries who brought Christianity and a written Slavic liturgy to Great Moravia. Choosing a Byzantine-inspired form set the building apart from the timber church architecture typical of the surrounding Wallachian villages, tying it instead to the apostles' own heritage. The original stone structure was clad in wooden shingles in 1926, when a wooden bell tower was also added.

Who takes care of the chapel, and what stands beside it?

The Matice Radhošťská association, founded in 1905 specifically for this purpose, has looked after the chapel ever since. Standing on the ridge just in front of the building is a bronze statue of Cyril and Methodius, the work of sculptor Albín Polášek, a native of nearby Frenštát pod Radhoštěm who spent his career in the United States. Polášek donated the statue to Matice Radhošťská in 1930, and it has formed an inseparable part of the summit scene alongside the chapel ever since.

What does a visit to the summit look like today?

The chapel remains an active place of worship, hosting Mass and services rather than functioning purely as a historic monument. For hikers following the trails across Radhošť, it serves as a natural resting point and landmark along the way. Its proximity to the wooden statue of the Slavic god Radegast means two very different symbolic traditions, Christian and pre-Christian, meet within a short walk of each other on the same summit — a contrast that is itself part of the draw for visitors interested in the region's history.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the chapel located? On the summit of Radhošť, in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, near Dolní Bečva in the Zlín Region.

When was the chapel built? Construction began in 1896, and the chapel was consecrated on September 11, 1898.

Why does the chapel look Byzantine rather than typically Moravian? Its design was meant to reflect the Byzantine origin of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the ninth-century missionaries to Great Moravia.

Who maintains the chapel? The Matice Radhošťská association has been responsible for it since 1905.

What else is worth seeing near the chapel? A bronze statue of Cyril and Methodius by sculptor Albín Polášek, donated in 1930, stands right in front of it, and the well-known Radegast statue is nearby.

Is the chapel still used for religious services? Yes, it remains an active place of worship rather than only a tourist landmark.