Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius

The Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius stands in Prostějov, a town in Moravia, close to the historic centre, at the corner of Brněnská Avenue and Tetín Street. It functions as a filial church of the Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and remains an active hub of parish life today.

How do you get there?

The church sits close enough to the town centre that walking or cycling is the easiest option — the stroll from the main square takes only a few minutes. Drivers will find parking near the junction of Brněnská Avenue and Tetín Street, and the site is easy to recognise as part of the former Capuchin monastery complex.

What is the history behind the church?

The story begins in the mid-18th century. Between 1759 and 1766, a modest chapel with a crypt dedicated to Saint Barbara was built on what were then the outskirts of Prostějov, linked to a hospice run by the Capuchin order. The chapel was consecrated on 7 August 1762 by Leopold Podstatský, vicar general of the Olomouc archdiocese. The adjoining Capuchin monastery operated until 1784, when Emperor Joseph II dissolved it as part of the Josephine church reforms.

The building's appearance changed dramatically at the start of the 20th century. Between 1902 and 1905, the plain original structure was replaced with a considerably more monumental Neo-Baroque church. The same wave of renovation, carried out in 1902–1903, added the bell tower that still defines the building's silhouette today. After years of neglect, the church was repaired and reopened to worshippers in 1988–1989.

What can you see today?

The current building is the product of that century-old rebuild — its Neo-Baroque form and distinctive tower set it clearly apart from the austere 18th-century original. Visitors can effectively trace two eras in a single structure: traces of the original Capuchin foundation and the monumental turn-of-the-century reconstruction. Because the church remains in active liturgical use, it is worth checking Mass times before visiting so as not to clash with services.

When is the best time to visit?

Since this is a working filial church rather than a museum, the best opportunities for visiting are weekdays outside service hours, along with open days such as the annual Night of Churches, when the building is sometimes opened specifically for visitors with a short presentation of its history.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? At the corner of Brněnská Avenue and Tetín Street in Prostějov, a short distance from the town centre.

Which parish does the church belong to? It is a filial church of the Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Prostějov.

When was the original building built? The first chapel, with a crypt dedicated to Saint Barbara, was built between 1759 and 1766 and consecrated in 1762.

Where does the current Neo-Baroque appearance come from? From a rebuild carried out between 1902 and 1905, which replaced the original modest chapel and added the bell tower.