Statue of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Brno

The Statue of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Brno stands on Petrov hill, in the upper part of the square in front of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, right in the historic heart of the city. It is visible both from the Cabbage Market (Zelný trh) and from Biskupská Street, making it one of the recognizable landmarks of Brno's old town.

When was the statue unveiled, and why here?

The monument was unveiled in June 2013, the year Brno marked the 1,150th anniversary of the arrival of Cyril and Methodius in Great Moravia (863-2013). The design was chosen through a competition decided in 2012, with the final work created by sculptors Vladimír Matoušek and Radim Horák. Its placement beside the cathedral on Petrov is deliberate: the site connects the monument to the Christian tradition of Moravia, whose beginnings are traditionally linked to the mission of the two brothers.

What is the statue made of, and what does it look like?

The monument was carved from a single block of sandstone quarried in Božanov, measuring 2440x1240x860 mm. It depicts two figures - Cyril and Methodius - permanently joined within one mass of stone, meant to symbolize their shared mission and the unity of their work. The sculpture is hollow inside and "filled with light": at night, internal illumination makes the whole block glow from within. Four patriarchal (double-barred) crosses cut through the surface of the statue, forming openings that let daylight pass through during the day and let artificial light shine out after dark.

Another notable element is a bronze band inscribed with text that runs across the entire surface of the sculpture in the shape of a cross. The statue itself stands at the centre of a flat bronze cross set into the sandstone paving of the square, which forms its base. Next to the monument there is also a meditation bench, made from the same stone and sharing the same proportions as the statue.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The statue sits directly at the foot of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on Petrov, one of Brno's most recognizable landmarks, visible from many points across the city. From here it is only a short walk to the Cabbage Market with its market stalls and the Baroque Parnassus Fountain, and to the old town around Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody). It is worth pausing here for a moment, ideally in the evening, when the statue is lit up and the effect of the illuminated crosses becomes visible.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Statue of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Brno unveiled? In June 2013, the year of the 1,150th anniversary of the two saints' arrival in Great Moravia.

Who created the statue? Sculptors Vladimír Matoušek and Radim Horák, winners of a competition decided in 2012.

What material was used? A single block of sandstone from the Božanov quarry, measuring 2440x1240x860 mm.

What do the crosses on the statue symbolize? Four patriarchal crosses cut through the stone, creating openings that let daylight through by day and glow with internal lighting at night.

Where exactly does the statue stand? In the upper part of the square in front of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on Petrov in Brno, visible from the Cabbage Market and Biskupská Street.