Cathedral of the Divine Saviour

The Cathedral of the Divine Saviour is the main Catholic church of Ostrava and the seat of the Bishop of Ostrava-Opava. Standing in the heart of the Moravská Ostrava district, its twin towers are visible from many parts of the city centre, making it one of the most recognisable landmarks in Ostrava.

What does the cathedral look like?

The building is a three-nave basilica in the Neo-Renaissance style, closed off at the eastern end by a semicircular apse. The façade is flanked by two towers, each 67 metres tall, giving the whole structure a symmetrical, imposing silhouette. This combination of tall towers with a more modest nave was typical of nineteenth-century churches built in fast-growing industrial centres, which Ostrava was at the time.

When was it built and who designed it?

Construction took place between 1883 and 1889, based on a design by Gustav Meretta, with the building work itself overseen by Ostrava-based architect Clemens Hladisch. The interior decoration was the work of Max von Ferstel. The church was completed in 1889 and consecrated on 16 July of that year by the Archbishop of Olomouc, Theodor Kohn. For more than a century it served simply as the parish church of the Divine Saviour, meeting the needs of a population that grew rapidly alongside Moravská Ostrava's industry.

Since when has it been a cathedral?

The church gained cathedral status in 1996. On 30 May of that year, Pope John Paul II established the Diocese of Ostrava-Opava, carving its territory out of the Archdiocese of Olomouc. In September 1996 the Church of the Divine Saviour was elevated to cathedral rank and became the seat of the new diocese, one of the youngest in the Czech Republic.

Where exactly is the cathedral located?

The cathedral stands right in the centre of Ostrava, in the Moravská Ostrava district, at coordinates 49.836103, 18.288947. It sits close to the main streets and squares of the city centre, so it fits naturally into a walking route around downtown Ostrava.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Cathedral of the Divine Saviour? Construction was completed in 1889, making the building more than 130 years old.

How tall are the cathedral's towers? Both towers stand 67 metres tall and are clearly visible from many points in central Ostrava.

Has it always been a bishop's seat? No. For over a hundred years it was an ordinary parish church — it only became a cathedral and the seat of the Diocese of Ostrava-Opava in 1996.

What architectural style is the cathedral built in? It is a three-nave Neo-Renaissance basilica, closed at the eastern end by a semicircular apse.

Who designed the cathedral? The design came from Gustav Meretta, construction was supervised by architect Clemens Hladisch, and the interior decoration was created by Max von Ferstel.