Kostel svatého Cyrila a Metoděje (Kroměříž) Church
Church of St. Cyril and Methodius in Kroměříži is not a temple in the city centre, but a church located in the central part of the Psychiatric Hospital. Built in Art Nouveau style according to the design of architects Hubert Gessner and Josef Šálk, since 1913 it has been registered as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic with registration number 15643 / 7-6017. He bears his name by consecration to the faithful, Saint Cyril and Methodius.
The origin of the building dates back to 1902, when the Moravian Regional Assembly decided to build a treatment facility for people suffering from mental illness. The actual construction took place between 1904 and 1909. The constitutional church, inwardly referred to as pavilion 28, festively consecrated on July 11, 1909 by the Archbishop of Olomouc František Saleský Bauer, whose Bishop motto was "I want to follow in the footsteps of St. Cyril and Methodius." From the foundation of the church until 1920, the priest Matěj Pavlík was a pastoral, who later came to the position of Bishop of Orthodox Church in Czechoslovakia. Today the Holy Mass with Sunday validity serves the local Roman Catholic parish of St. Morice every Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Architecturally, Hubert Gessner followed the work of his teacher, Professor Otto Wagner, who designed a similar temple in the Royal Chapel (Kirche am Steinhof) from 1902 to 1904 in Vienna. The Kromeriz church is also conceived as a symmetrical building in the form of a Palladian headquarters on the ground plan of the Greek cross. The most attention deserves a double reinforced concrete dome 27 meters high with a lantern on top. The roof was originally covered with yellow glazed bags that held wire hooks on the dome. In the popular saying, "You will go under the yellow pit..." a reminder of the construction permanently. The church is architecturally the opposite of a baroque rotunda in a neighbouring, previously founded Flower Garden.
The interior underlines Gessner's manuscript in every detail. The construction consists of 90 seats and 298 standing seats. All elements, from marble to brass to glass, designed by Gessner himself. The semi-circular superstructure of the main entrance and all windows decorate the stained glass. In the left side of the temple ship stands a pulpit of pink, black-annealed marble. On the opposite side there is a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary Lourdes built from the same stone. The skeleton is also contributed by the color stained stained glass depicting the kneeling angels. The main altar passes by the relics of St. Florentine, St. Aurelius and St. Innocence.
The academic painter Jano Köhler formed the entrance of the vanguard Cyril and Methodius to Moravia. The same author designed mosaics with angels worshipping monsters on side walls. These works requested maintenance over time. Kohler's fresco above the altar was restored in 1993 by an academic painter and restorer František Sysel. The mosaics taking up the main entrance were restored in 1999 by the restoration of Jaromír Hanzelka.
The church in the area of the psychiatric hospital is an isolated case where monumental architecture is dedicated not only to believers, but serves as a receding element of mental health care. Visiting the church allows insight into the Art Nouveau thinking of the early twentieth century, when social consciousness and aesthetic ambition intertwined in architecture.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- 1904
- The start of building construction.
- 1909
- The ceremony of the church on 11 July.
- 1993
- Restaurant of altar frescoes by academic painter František Syzlo.
- 1999
- Restaurant mosaic at the main entrance Jaromír Hanzelka.
Architectural development
The construction was carried out in Art Nouveau style on the ground plan of the Greek cross. The structure contains a high 27-metre double-iron concrete dome. The interior uses a combination of marble, brass and glass.
Historical events
- 1904-1909
- The construction of the church.
- 1909
- The ceremonial consecration of the church by the Archbishop of Olomouc, Francis Salesky Bauer.
Points of interest
- The church is located in the central part of the area of Psychiatric Hospital and is internally referred to as pavilion 28. - The construction has a double reinforced concrete dome 27 meters high, which was originally covered with yellow glazed bags. - Because of the yellow dome, there was a connection in the folk saying, "You will go under the yellow dome..." - The interior contains a pulpit of pink, black annealed marble and the main altar keeps the relics of Saint Florentine, Saint Aurelius and Saint Innocence. - Architect Hubert Gessner designed all elements of the interior, from marble to brass to glass.
Guide
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The Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius stands in the middle of the Psychiatric Hospital complex in Kroměříž. The entire complex, including the church, was built in Art Nouveau style according to a design by architects Hubert Gessner and Josef Šálek. Today it is protected as a cultural monument.
The hospital originally bore the name State Therapeutic Institute of Emperor Francis Joseph the First. A marble memorial plaque in the vestibule of the administrative building commemorates the fact that in 1902 the construction was undertaken by the State Diet of the Margraviate of Moravia. The buildings were intended to serve "for the health of those suffering in mind". Construction took place between 1904 and 1909. The institutional church, designated as pavilion 28, was solemnly consecrated on July 11, 1909 by the Olomouc Archbishop František Saleský Bauer. The dedication corresponded with his episcopal motto: I wish to walk in the footsteps of Saints Cyril and Methodius. From the beginning until 1920, priest Matěj Pavlík served here, who later became a bishop of the Orthodox Church in Czechoslovakia.
Gessner followed his teacher Otto Wagner. Between 1902 and 1904, Wagner designed the Church of Saint Leopold in an institute for the mentally ill in Vienna. The Kroměříž church is a symmetrical central structure on the ground plan of a Greek cross, in the spirit of the then popular Palladian buildings. It bears a double reinforced concrete cupola with a lantern, thirty-seven meters high. The roof was originally covered with yellow glazed tiles, which were held on the cupola by wire hooks. This gave rise to the local saying "You'll go under the yellow dome". The church thus gave its name to the entire institution by its appearance. The building also became the counterpart to the Baroque rotunda in the neighboring Květná Garden.
The church can accommodate ninety seated and two hundred ninety-eight standing people. Gessner also designed the interior furnishings, in which he combined marble, brass, and glass. Stained glass windows decorate all the windows and the semicircular lintel of the main entrance. One of the colored stained glass windows depicts kneeling angels. In the nave there is a pulpit made of pink, black-veined marble. Opposite it stands a wooden statue of Our Lady of Lourdes on a pedestal of the same stone. The main altar contains the relics of Saint Florentina, Saint Aurelius, and Saint Innocence.
The painted decoration was created by academic painter Jano Köhler. He is the author of the altarpiece painting The Arrival of the Apostles Cyril and Methodius in Moravia. He also created mosaics with angels venerating the monstrance on the side walls. The fresco above the altar was restored in 1993 by František Sysel. The mosaics on either side of the main entrance were renovated in 1999 by Jaromír Hanzelka.
Tips for visitors
The best time to visit is from approximately May to September, when the weather is favourable for walks on the premises. Since the church is located in the area of a psychiatric hospital, it is important to check in advance the current conditions for the public, as access may be limited or require prior agreement.
Transport availability is ensured both by car and public transport.
Take comfortable shoes to the premises as you can wander around the church gardens and surroundings. Even if it's a historical monument, the most important thing is to respect the hospital grounds. We recommend that you take drinks and light refreshments with you if you plan to stay longer in the surrounding greenery, and also check if there is a toilet in the area, as in the hospital environment, health records may be restricted to the public.
For photography is ideal morning or late afternoon light, which beautifully highlights Art Nouveau lines and facade details designed by architects Gessner and Cup. The best place for pictures is a view of the church from nearby gardens, where you can capture the contrast between sacral architecture and greenery. Observe the shadows and texture of plaster which are characteristic of this construction from 1904 to 1909.
In the immediate surroundings, just a few minutes' walk, the early Baroque Flower Garden with Baroque rotunda is located. This location is ideal for a short walk after visiting the church, where you can enjoy a quiet atmosphere and historic greenery. It is a great opportunity to combine a visit to the Art Nouveau Monument with a baroque garden experience in one whole.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
Religious buildings are usually open mainly during services; at other times a visit is normally arranged with the parish or the operator. We have not verified specific times.
Where is the monument?
Location: Kroměříž, Zlínský kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic as a cultural monument. It is protected as part of a larger listed ensemble.
For kids
Imagine you go back to the past and suddenly you're standing in front of a huge building with a lightning arch that turns off its pointed ridge into the blue sky. There it is! Church of St. Cyril and Methodius in Kroměříži, one of the most beautiful places where things happen in moments!
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Nearby
Neighbouring early Baroque Flower Garden with Baroque rotunda.
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1. Church of St. Cyril and Methodie, sacral monument. This object is the main destination of the trip and represents an important spiritual place. 2. Flower Garden , early Baroque garden area. It offers visitors a quiet environment and the beauty of historical architecture. 3. Baroque rotunda, Baroque architecture. This building within the garden represents a picturesque point for the tour of artistic details.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring brings freshness and fine sun rays to the surrounding church, which highlight the details of the building beautifully. During this period the atmosphere is calm, which allows you to perceive the spiritual dimension of the place without any unnecessary rush. We recommend that you take layered clothes with you because the morning cold can be accompanied by sudden rain. It is ideal to visit the morning when the light is the purest and the movement of people is still moderate.
Summer months bring intense light and nourishing energy, but also higher temperatures and greater pressures on people. In the main summer season there is considerable movement of visitors at the sights, so it is advisable to plan your arrival right after opening to avoid the biggest crowds and heat. Dress lightly and don't forget enough fluids. If you prefer quieter experiences, choose late afternoon hours where the sun boils down and creates interesting shadows.
Autumn visit offers a melancholy atmosphere, complemented by golden leaves and occasional morning fog in the surroundings. Light is soft and gold in this period, which is ideal for observing details. For comfortable movement we recommend to wear practical shoes and warmer clothing because the air is rapidly cooling. The best time for a tour is around noon, when the sky is most stable.
In winter, the church is very noble and quiet, in a rather distant way. Short day and cold weather require robust winter clothes to make the visit pleasant. It is necessary to verify in advance the current opening times, which are shorter at this time than in other periods. It is best to visit the memory on clear days when the freezing air gives the place a magical touch.
Visualizations and artistic views
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Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
Atmosphere of the place
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Sources and literature
Photos: Samuel Mudrík / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
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