Walking in Vitkov Park, you will combine business with pleasure: relax in nature and learn a lot about the history of the Czech Republic and its defenders.
Vitkov Park (Park na Vítkově) is located on the hill of the same name in the eastern part. The oblong and narrow Vítkov Hill, covered with dense greenery, is considered a symbol of the Czech people, which reminds of the firmness of the spirit and the importance of national unity. Because it was here on June 14, 1420 that the rebellious Hussites won a decisive victory over the superior forces of the German crusaders.
Hill history
The first mention of the hill is found in the annals of 1041. At that time it was covered with forests. But Emperor Charles IV ordered that forests be cut down and vines planted. The hill was named Vitkov in honor of the Prague tradesman Vitkov from Gora, who owned a vineyard on it.
During the Thirty Years' War, the entire vine on the hill was destroyed. By the 18th century, the scorched northern slope was almost completely devoid of vegetation. The restoration of Vitkov began only in the 19th century. The scorched earth was sown with grass, trees and shrubs were planted, paths were laid. The hill has been turned into a city park.
A park
Today it is cozy in Vitkov Park, there is no trace of past destruction. Oaks, lindens and silvery maples, yellow acacia and pine, mulberry and honeysuckle grow all around. Peregrine falcons live in the forest park area. Vacationers have picnics on well-groomed lawns. Asphalt paths run throughout the park - for cyclists and rollerbladers, for walking.
A pedestrian tunnel has been laid under Vitkov since 1953. Its length is 303 m, and it is the shortest route connecting the districts of Zizkov and Karlin.
Modern Vitkov claims to be the most elevated park in Prague, the height of the hill reaches 260.9 m. From here, a beautiful view of the Czech capital opens.
There are several sights in the park that Czechs especially treasure. Walking here, you combine business with pleasure: relax in nature, and learn a lot about the history of the Czech Republic and its defenders.
Statue of Jan Zizka
The monumental bronze monument to Jan Zizka is the work of Bohumil Kafka. This is a unique statue - one of the ten largest equestrian sculptures in the world: its height is 9 m, and including the pedestal - 22 m, total weight - 16.5 tons. The opening of the monument took place in 1950, on the anniversary of the battle on Vitkov. Then the Hussites, led by Jan Zizka, defeated the Crusaders.
Parades are held on the square in front of the monument to Jan Zizka, just like we have on Red Square. Troops of various kinds are marching in formation, they are greeted by the president, famous people of the country are laying flowers at the grave of the unknown soldier.
In front of the monument to Zizka, under a granite slab, there is the tomb of an unknown soldier, in which the remains from the battlefield near Zborov and from the Dukel operation are buried.
National Memorial on Vitkov
On Vitkovo, the National Memorial (Národní památník na Vítkově) was opened in memory of the fallen Czechoslovak legionnaires - heroes of the First World War. It was created in 1928-38, and at the beginning of the 21st century it was overhauled. In the socialist years, the most prominent representatives of the communist authorities were buried here, as well as the mausoleum of the first communist leader of the Czech Republic, Klement Gottwald. But after the Velvet Revolution, the remains of the communists were reburied in different cemeteries.
The memorial contains the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Military Historical Museum of the memorial hosts the exhibition "Crossroads of Czech and Czechoslovak statehood", which tells about significant stages in the history of the country during the 20th century. An observation deck was recently opened on the roof of the memorial.
At the foot of Vitkov Hill is located (Armádní muzeum Žižkov). Its exposition tells about the events of World Wars I and II and about the persecution of members of the Czechoslovak army after the February 1948 coup.
How to get there
Take the metro to the Hlavní nádraží station, line C or to Florenc, lines B and C.
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The wonderful tradition of mankind - to honor the memory of their heroes - is rooted in a very distant past. Legends and epics were composed about those who gave their lives for the sake of the motherland, later books were written and films were made. They were immortalized in marble and bronze, recreated in musical and pictorial works. Therefore, in almost every country you can find majestic monuments of the past, these kind of milestones that show posterity the path to freedom and happiness. In the Czech Republic, one of these monuments is the National Memorial on Vitkov.
Vitkov Hill as a natural monument
The place for the memorial was chosen ideally. This is a high hill, the first information about the existence of which appeared 10 centuries ago. It is not known exactly who and when gave him the name Vitkov, but legends say that this happened in honor of a peasant who grows wonderful grapes on a hill. Now the slopes of the hill are covered with shrubs and trees, and the area of this park is quite large - 15 hectares. The park is notable for being a kind of oasis of wild nature among the European capital. This idea is confirmed by the fact that the park on the hill is recognized as an ideal natural environment for breeding birds of prey - peregrine falcons. Thus, the hill itself can be considered a monumental green basis for the erection of a monument.
Vitkova Gora as a symbol of the indestructible spirit
It was on this hill that one of the most incredible events in the history of the Hussite wars took place. Three dozen Czech peasants and a detachment of "chainmen" led by Jan Zizka fortified themselves on the eastern slope of the hill and entered into battle with several hundred crusader knights. An unprecedented weapon - a chain bound with iron - knocked down warriors in full knightly equipment from their horses. They fled in panic, leaving the bodies of their many comrades at the foot of the hill. This victory marked the beginning of state independence and the flourishing of the culture of Bohemia (Czech Republic). And the people began to call Vitkov Mountain Zizkova in memory of one of the glorious sons of this land, Jan Zizka.
Monument to the hero of the Hussite wars
Today the hill is crowned with an equestrian sculpture of a national hero made of bronze. The idea of its creation originated at the end of the 19th century, and at the beginning of the 20th a competition was announced, in which the project of the sculptor Bogumil Kafka won. The author himself, unfortunately, did not live to see the opening of the monument and did not find out that it was recognized as the largest equestrian monument in the world. The monument was cast at the foundry only after the end of the Second World War, and its opening was timed to coincide with the 530th anniversary of the victory on Vitkova Gora (July 14, 1950). The height of the equestrian Jan Zizka is 9m, the weight is 16.5t, and the length of the sculptural monument is 9.6m. The monument impresses everyone who has seen it.
History of the National Memorial
Behind the equestrian sculpture is the majestic and austere memorial building. It reaches 142m in length, 31.5m in height, and about 28m in width. the project belongs to the architect Jan Zazvorka. The foundation stone of the building was laid in 1928, and the main construction was completed in 1932. Then design work continued for another six years. The events of the Second World War, fortunately, did not destroy the memorial, but the German authorities set up a warehouse here, which caused serious damage to the interior of the building. Restoration work took place immediately after the war, and at the end of the twentieth century, when many halls were re-arranged.
Power Lab and more
The structure of the National Memorial includes the grave of the Unknown Soldier of the battle of the Dukel operation, as well as the exposition "Crossroads of Czech statehood". In the 1950s and 1960s, there was a mausoleum of Klement Gottwald, the first president of the Czechoslovak Republic. Now the mummified body is no longer there, but in the premises where they took care of its safety, there is an exhibition of the Laboratory of Power.
The building of the memorial has the Hall of Identifications, where the largest organ in the country is located. There you can also get acquainted with the mosaic of Yakub Obrovsky “Where is my home”, see the plates with the coats of arms of the Czech Republic, made in ceramics. Not so long ago, memorial plaques of modern participants in foreign military missions were installed in one of the halls.
Many Prague monuments are connected with Czech history. One of these monuments Equestrian statue of Jan Zizka located on Vitkovsky hill, district Prague-Zizkov. The monument rises on Vitkovsky Hill, which received its name from the name of one citizen of Vitka from the Mountain, who acquired the hill for vineyards.
The lower building on Vitkovsky Hill - in front of which a green Soviet tank is located. At the top of the hill there is a huge marble parallelepiped - a monument in front of which rises majestically statue of Jan Zizka on horseback. Jan Zizka was the leader of the Hussite army, he defeated the crusaders who were sent to eliminate the Hussite movement. The battle took place on Vitkovsky Hill on July 14, 1420. In gratitude for the victory, the Prague quarter was named after Jan Zizka, and in 1950 an equestrian statue created by Bogumil Kafka was erected.
Initially, the monument was planned in the eighties of the 19th century, it was believed that it would sing the glory of the brave Czech people. Construction began in 1928, the first stone was laid by Masaryk himself. By 1933, the monument was almost ready, but the decoration was still going on until the beginning of the Second World War. The Germans came, made a warehouse out of the monument, mercilessly cut the bronze statues with an autogenous machine and sent them to be melted down. After the end of the war, it was decided to restore the monument, but not in the form previously conceived. The communists decided that a huge statue of Jan Zizka, a Czech military hero and spontaneous Bolshevik, would serve as the center of the monument. By 1950, the monument was completed and was recognized the largest equestrian statue in the world. The height of the bronze statue is about 9 meters, and together with the pedestal - 22 meters, the weight of the statue is 16.5 tons, while only one head of the monument weighs 109 kg. The author of the model tried to create a statue that would be the most truthful and realistic. Bohumil Kafka consulted many hippologists and historians. Alas, the master died before the statue of Jan Zizka was finished.
Wonderful views of Prague open up from Vitkovsky Hill.
Behind statues of Jan Zizka you can see a massive structure - the National Monument, built in 1927 - 1932 in honor of the formation of the former Czechoslovakia and the courage of the Czech Legion. The National Monument includes a memorial hall, where the largest organ in the Czech Republic is installed. Later, the complex began to be used as a mausoleum, where Klement Gottwald ordered to bury government, party and other communist leaders. Masterfully cast bronze gates lead to the mausoleum with a relief work by Malevsky on the theme of the struggle of the Czech people for liberation. In the center of the hall rises the former sarcophagus of Klement Gottwald and several large bronze candlesticks. The hall is lined with mosaics depicting Soviet soldiers.
At the present time, the mausoleum on Vitkovsky Hill open only a few days a year, the newspapers announce the opening dates in advance. It is planned to reclassify the National Monument into a modern historical museum, which will house an exhibition dedicated to Czech statehood.
If you go to the memorial from its rear side, you will pass a large park, where there are almost no passers-by.
Views from Vitkovsky Hill open up to different parts of Prague.
Who wants to get around many interesting monuments in one walk - you will be interested.
How to get to Witkowski Hill and Jan Zizka Monument
Take tram 1, 9 or 16 to stop Ohrada, then uphill through the park. Or take tram 5, 9 or 26 to Husinecká. Walk up there. At the foot of the hill is the Army Museum, which you can drop by along the way. Admission is free, here.
Photo: National Monument on Vitkov
Photo and description
Vitkovska Hill in Prague is decorated with a majestic monument praising the strength and courage of the Czech people. The equestrian statue of Jan Žižka seems to be protecting the Prague below from all troubles and turmoil, promising peace and bright skies.
Vitkovska Gora, or Vitkov as it is popularly called, was named after a peasant who, about 10 centuries ago, realized that the slopes of this hill were ideal for growing juicy grapes. Nowadays, Vitkovo has a beautiful park with an area of 15 hectares. Locals claim that this is a real wild forest within Prague. In support of their words, they cite the fact that wild birds of prey live here, which, as you know, will not settle next to a person.
Vitkovskaya Gora is also famous for the fact that it was here that the battle of the Hussite detachment led by Jan Zizka with the enemy superior in strength, the Crusaders, took place. The Hussites won, and the mountain in honor of the national hero began to be unofficially called Zizkova.
In honor of this significant event, which began the history of Czech independence, at the beginning of the 20th century, it was decided to erect a national monument on the top of the hill. As a result of a tense competition, the project of the sculptor B. Kafka won. The figure of Jan Zizka, installed on Vitkov, is officially considered the largest equestrian monument on the planet. The national monument was opened only in 1950.
Behind the monument is the building of the memorial, where the tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located, in front of which military personnel stand guard around the clock, and the exhibition "Crossroads of Czech Statehood".