The Church of the Holy Spirit in Opava

The Church of the Holy Spirit in Opava is cloaked in mystery that has yet to be unravelled. A team of archaeologists is trying to discover what is hidden in the crypt beneath the floors of this Gothic-era church. According to legend, it is supposed to be the final resting place of representatives of one branch of the Přemyslid dynasty.

Archaeologists’ first investigations show there really are burial grounds beneath the floors of the church. Whether these are the remains of prominent burghers or are, in fact, successors of the Přemyslid dynasty, perhaps even the grandson of Ottokar II of Bohemia, remains open to investigation.

The Church of the Holy Spirit is also linked with the second visit of brilliant composer Ludwig van Beethoven to Opavsko. At the beginning of the 19th century, Beethoven attended a concert of his Mass in C Major in this church. Although Beethoven was just one of many audience members present and had even begun to suffer from hearing loss by this time, he became so unsettled by how the conductor was presenting his work, that he leapt from his chair and conducted the concert himself.

Contact

MIC Opava
Horní náměstí 67
746 01 Opava

E-mail: informacni.centrum@opava-city.cz
Web: http://www.opava-city.cz/
Tel.: +420 553 756 143

The Church of the Holy Spirit in Opava