 | |
| Established | 25 February 1923 |
|---|---|
| Location | |
Region | Czech Republic |
Grand Master | Libor Adamec |
| Website | www |
TheGrand Lodge of the Czech Republic (Czech:Veliká Lóže České republiky,VLČR) is a Grand Lodge of Freemasons in theCzech Republic. It is the largest, oldest and the only one which is recognized asregular by theUnited Grand Lodge of England and most of the other regular lodges at an international level.[1]
Czech Freemasonry have roots up to the 18th century. From 1795 official masonic organizations were banned in theAustrian Empire. After establishment ofAustria-Hungary masonry remained banned inCisleithanian part of the monarchy up until 1918, while in HungarianLands of the Crown of Saint Stephen it remained legal. After establishment ofCzechoslovakia in 1918 freemasonry was legalized and first lodges became to emerge. One of the bases of members of the lodges was Czech organizationMaffia, active in resistance during theWorld War I. First lodge established in 1919 wasScottish Rite LodgeJan Amos Komenský inPrague, which got recognition by theGrand Orient de France. While subsequently other LodgeNárod was founded and recognized by theGran Loggia d'Italia, at that time in cooperation with theUnited Grand Lodge of England.[2]
On 25 February 1923 in Prague lodges in Czechoslovakia merged and established National Grand Lodge of Czechoslovakia (NVLČs), whose main patronage was held by the Grand Lodge of Yugoslavia. During following years the National Grand Lodge consolidated its position as primarily established onRegular Freemasonry. During theFirst Czechoslovak Republic, freemasonry became fashionable subject among influential high society and were popular also in the government circles as well as in business.[3][4]
AfterGerman occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1938, exiled organization of Czechoslovak Freemasons operated inLondon, closely associated with many members of theCzechoslovak government-in-exile. After 1945 lodges were resurrected again and operation of the National Grand Lodge was officially restored in 1947 under factical leadership ofJaroslav Kvapil. After1948 Czechoslovak coup d'état when Communists took power, masonic organization survived up to 1951, when it was officially banned especially by the pressure fromMoscow.[5]
AfterVelvet Revolution in 1989 organizational structure of the Grand Lodge was restored on 17 November 1990 in Prague. After dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1992 Grand Lodge was renamed to the current name Grand Lodge of the Czech Republic. On 8 March 2008 short-livedcontinental masonicCzech Grand Orient merged into the Grand Lodge of the Czech Republic which strengthened regular masonic organization in the country.[6] Grand Lodge operated also inSlovakia until 21 March 2009, when Slovak lodges founded first Grand Lodge in the history of Slovakia –Grand Lodge of Slovakia.[7]
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Three former lodges of the Grand Lodge of the Czech Republic foundedGrand Lodge of Slovakia in 2009.
After independence ofCzechoslovakia in 1918 freemasonry was legalized. From 1919 to 1923Josef Svatopluk Machar became Grand Master of precessor grand lodge, which was succeeded by the establishment of National Grand Lodge in 1923.
During theGerman occupation of Czechoslovakia exile lodge operated inLondon.
From 1951 to 1990 freemasonry in Czechoslovakia was put dormant due to de facto ban by the communist regime. Grand Lodge was restored afterVelvet Revolution in 1989.
