Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral, Prague

A notable landmark in the Karlín district and one of Prague's largest religious structures, this striking black-and-white church is dedicated to the Orthodox missionaries Cyril and Methodius, known for their role in spreading Christianity throughout Slavic territories. It was consecrated in 1863, marking exactly 1,000 years since the brothers began their influential mission.

During World War II, the cathedral's crypt sheltered seven Allied paratroopers who assassinated Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi Governor of Bohemia and Moravia. Betrayed by locals, four of them were cornered by the Gestapo in the crypt and ultimately took their own lives to avoid capture. The clergy and several civilians were arrested and executed for their involvement. The Nazis eventually desecrated the cathedral and closed all Orthodox churches in Czechoslovakia in 1942.

Inside the neo-Romanesque basilica, visitors can admire decorative pillars, intricately painted ceilings, and an Art Nouveau baptismal chapel. Situated on Karlínské Square, the church is at the heart of the neighborhood, where farmers' markets, festivals, and cultural events frequently take place.