The Church of St. Cyril and Methodius

by abs.admin · December 5, 2015

Introduction

Just a few steps from the Charles Square you can find the church that played an important role in the events of WWII. Deep within this church were hiding Czech and Slovak paratroopers, who had assassinated one of Hitler’s top leaders – chief of SS and “Reichsprotector” Reinhard Heydrich. But before we get to that story, let us introduce you the history of the church itself.

History

Church of St. Cyril and Methodius outside

The grand facade of the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius

The current church building was in construction between 1730-1736 by two architects – Pavel Ignác Bayer (died 1733) and Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer, who finished the second part of its construction. At first it’s dedication was to St. Charles Borromeo, a Patron Saint of the sick.

The church was a part of monastery for old monks. Unfortunately it was closed down in 1783 (during the reforms of Joseph II) and was turned into a barracks and storage areas. The Church was renewed after it was given to the newly-founded Czech Orthodox Church (1933).

The Fight

During the Second World War a member of Czech resistance Jan Sonnevend with his pastor Dr. Vladimír Petřek provided safe shelter to a group of seven Czech and Slovak paratroopers, who had successfully assassinated Reinhard Heydrich. That “safe shelter” was down in the church’s crypt. This place would have been impossible to find but one of the other paratroopers from an allied Czech group betrayed them. On June 18th, 1942, the church was surrounded by 700 German soldiers, who tried to capture the paratroopers alive. After a long brave fight, all of them died. Some from their wounds and some by their own pistols, rather than allowing capture by the Gestapo.

There are plenty stories, related to the assassination known as Operation Anthropoid. Ask your tour guide on our Hammer and Sickle Tour.

You can read more about those brave men here.