sv. Cyril

The statue of Saint Cyril stands in Slatinice, a small Moravian spa village at the foot of the Malý Kosíř hill, roughly a dozen kilometres south of Olomouc. The figure depicts one of the two "Thessaloniki brothers" — Cyril and Methodius — ninth-century missionaries credited with creating a Slavic script and bringing Christianity to the Slavic population of Great Moravia. Statues like this one are a common sight across Moravian villages, where veneration of the two saints runs particularly deep.

Where exactly is the statue located?

The statue stands in Slatinice, at coordinates 49.560985, 17.097575, in the central part of the village. Slatinice is best known for its spa (Lázně Slatinice), which has operated since the 17th century, drawing on local mineral springs. The village lies in the scenic area around the Kosíř hills, in the Olomouc Region, and has long been closely tied to nearby Olomouc administratively and economically.

Who were Saints Cyril and Methodius?

Cyril (born Constantine, c. 827–869) and Methodius (c. 815–885) were Greek monks and missionaries from Thessaloniki, sent in 863 to the court of Prince Rastislav of Great Moravia. They are credited with devising Glagolitic, the first Slavic alphabet, and with translating liturgical texts into Old Church Slavonic, allowing services to be conducted in a language the local population could understand. Their mission laid the groundwork for the Christianisation of Moravia and remains one of the most significant events in Slavic history — the brothers are venerated to this day as co-patrons of Europe.

Why are such statues common in Moravia?

Devotion to Cyril and Methodius intensified across Moravia in the 19th century, during the national revival movement, when recalling the Slavic roots of Christianity carried strong symbolic and patriotic weight. Many villages across the region — not only Slatinice — erected statues and monuments to the two saints during this period, often near their parish churches, as an expression of local religious and historical identity.

What else is worth seeing in Slatinice?

The village has a Baroque parish church dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, built between 1769 and 1772 to a design by Jan Freiwald of Prostějov, on a distinctive oval floor plan. The first written mention of Slatinice dates back to 1249, and the healing properties of the local water were already recorded in 1545 — it was this spring that eventually gave rise to the spa, which still operates today and remains the village's main draw.

How to get to Slatinice?

Slatinice lies about a dozen kilometres south of Olomouc, easily reached by car or local public transport. It makes a good base both for spa guests visiting the local health resort and for travellers looking for a quiet, historic Moravian village.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the statue of Saint Cyril stand? In Slatinice, a small Moravian spa village roughly a dozen kilometres south of Olomouc.

Who was Saint Cyril? A Greek monk and missionary from Thessaloniki who, together with his brother Methodius, brought Christianity and a Slavic script to Great Moravia in the ninth century.

Is there also a statue of Saint Methodius in Slatinice? Veneration of the two brothers in Moravia is inseparable, and statues of both saints are commonly placed together — a widespread pattern across the region when commemorating their mission.

What is Slatinice known for? Primarily for its spa, operating since the 17th century and drawing on mineral springs first recorded in the 16th century.

What else can visitors see in the village? The Baroque Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, built 1769–1772 on an oval floor plan by Jan Freiwald of Prostějov.