The Order of Malta and its activity in the Czech lands during the years 1874-1938

(in English): The Knights of St. John, also known as the "Johanniter", the Knights Hospitaller or the Knights of Malta, are undoubtedly the most important chivalric order of Christendom, which played an important role in the history of Europe. The Order came to the Czech lands in the 12th century and has been continuously active here ever since, although its activities in Czechoslovakia were almost completely suppressed between 1948 and 1990 and the Grand Priory survived only thanks to its members in exile. The present dissertation describes the activities of this Order in the Czech lands between 1874 and 1938. It focuses on the organizational and social aspects of the Order's activity as well as on its economic side. Nor does the priestly branch of the Order stand aside from the interest of this dissertation. The defined period was a time of revolutionary changes - until 1918 the Order could enjoy the support of the Austro-Hungarian elites, including the Emperor, however after the collapse of the monarchy it had to find its place in the new civil society and even fight for its existence. The Order did not see the successful culmination of these efforts in the Czech lands until the late 1930s, but in the light of the coming historical events, these achievements had only a very short life