National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror

A truly hidden gem and completely free. We stumbled upon this museum almost by accident and, in my opinion, it needs to be on every “must see” list for those who visit Prague and are even remotely interested in 20th century history. The exhibits are well done, the artifacts are powerful, and the monuments are moving. There was a 2016 movie made about this event, called “Anthropoid”. We watched the movie after touring the monument, and it was really quite accurate. The Czechs do an amazing job of remembering their heroes of the Resistance, and I’m really glad we went. It’s walking distance from Old Town, and all the exhibits are in both Czech and English.

An essential visit for anyone interested in WW2 history, the brave paratroopers, resistance movement and Czechoslovak people. The attendant was friendly and really helpful. If you ask the attendant she will put on a truly moving film which is in several languages including English. Afterwards pop across the street to the Czech bar, decked out in Operation Anthropoid memorabilia, opposite for a delicious two course lunch for around 200kc. Topped our morning visits off nicely.

We previously visited the memorial when it was just my wife and me in Prague. Returning now with our children, this felt like a must-do. The history and heroism shown by those brave men is deeply moving and truly heart-stirring. To give so much, knowing those actions would lead to their own demise, is a sacrifice beyond words. Thank you.

Visiting the church was very impactful. Walking through the crypt and seeing all the bullet holes made the movie (Anthropoid) really come to life. These brave men will truly be remembered. If you are a history buff this needs to be on your Prague list. Best part…it’s free and you should absolutely check it out!

National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror (Sts. Cyril & Methodius Crypt) This site is honestly the emotional core. In the crypt of the church where Gabčík, Kubiš, and five others died after a brutal siege, you can still see bullet marks and the confined space where they made their last stand. The museum/exhibit above gives solid context about the operation, the Nazi reprisals (for example Lidice), and the broader terror unleashed after Heydrich’s death. It’s free and really worth the half-hour visit — a solemn, almost sacred experience.

I highly recommend this memorial to anyone who is interested in history. The crypt is a particularly sobering experience, especially for those already familiar with Operation Anthropoid. Be prepared to remove your hat if you are wearing one and speak in a whisper. Nearly all of the signs include English as well as Czech, and there are free pamphlets in both languages. I have also included a few pictures from Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral, directly above the crypt. I would highly recommend seeing the Cathedral as part of your visit to this memorial.

Free entry to a very well maintained memorial to heroes of Czechia during WW2. There is also a small cinema and a historic exposition telling about the difficult history the country had to go through at the hands of Nazies and even Allies who gave Czechia away without a fight.

It's free to enter, so it's definitely worth popping your head in for a visit.