The Church of St. Cyril and Methodius in Olomouc-Hejčín
This monumental temple erected on the edge of town in the years 1929–1932 was built thanks to the Olomouc archbishop Leopold Prečan. The architects’ tender was awarded to the design of Brno architect Josef Šálek in Neo-Classicist Modernist style, devoting the church to the Thessaloniki brothers was inspired by the celebrations of the 1100th anniversary of the birth of St. Cyril, held at Velehrad in 1927. You cannot miss the church thanks to its 66 meters tall tower. A bronze statue of the two saints, 4.5m tall, by the academic sculptor Julius Pelikán, greets not only all who enter, but also all who pass by. The tomb of archbishop Prečan is located in the church crypt. The church’s stern exterior is contrasted by its abundant decorations. The pride of the church is a large mosaic with the prayer motif Confiteor – I profess, adorning the wall over the presbytery altar. The motif was designed by Jano Köhler, Italian mosaic makers helped make it.
