Vitkov Hill in Prague - park, monument and observation deck
Vitkov Hill, located in Stare Mest, is a historically significant location and a symbol of the will of the Czech people in the face of an outnumbered enemy. All the sights of this place are more interesting to visit, not just for show. It will be very useful to at least superficially familiarize yourself with the history so that for you this visit has a deeper meaning than seeing Prague from a height of a hill and taking with you a couple of pictures of the one-eyed horseman with a club in his hand.
The content of the article
Vitkov hill
The hill is the site of a crucial battle in the Hussite wars, when the army of the Taborites, led by Jan ižka, defended a strategically important height and did not allow Sigismund's crusaders to complete the encirclement of Prague.
If you are not a connoisseur of history, then now this phrase sounded like gibberish to you, from which it is clear that someone was hacked with someone. If you do not delve into the details, then for you it will remain incomprehensible what is so special about this hill and monument..
Monument to Jan Zizka, Vitkov Hill, Prague
Read about Jan Hus, why his burning gave impetus to the Hussite wars, and why the Taborites and Chasniks fought off five crusades of five neighboring states. Who is Jan Zizka and why his name is found throughout the Czech Republic. What kind of comrade Sigismund is and why he needed Prague - all this is damn interesting and - «based on true events».
Vitkov Hill is a place of military glory, therefore, all culturally significant objects here are military. All of them are housed in the National Memorial, which includes a huge building and a monument to Jan keižka. Around the memorial there is a park with pedestrian paths and several observation decks.
It came as a surprise to me that such a serious place is completely covered with graffiti, and of a completely garbage quality - it seems with patriotism and respect among Czech youth everything is much worse than ours.
Historical reference
Jan Zizka - military leader, gussite, national hero of the Czech Republic, lived in the years 1360-1424. On July 14, 1420, he personally led the defense of Vitkov Hill, where the Hussites and townspeople repulsed the crusaders. This victory disrupted the plans of Emperor Sigismund to encircle Prague and introduced discord into the ranks of the crusaders, which ultimately resulted in the defeat of the entire First Crusade..
The Jan Zizka Monument on Vitkov Hill is one of the most important cultural heritage sites, as well as the third largest equestrian statue in the world. The monument was solemnly presented to the public on July 14, 1950, just on the anniversary of the Battle of Vitkova Gora.
The memorial complex on Vitkov Hill was built in 1929-1933 in memory of the Czech soldiers who died during the First World War. It was expanded after the Second World War, and from the 54th to the 62nd the mausoleum of Clement Gottwald, the president and head of the Communist Party of the Czech Republic, was located here. The body was removed and cremated due to the fact that the embalming was unsuccessful, and by that time the struggle against the personality cult was already in full swing..
Information to visit
Entrance to the park and the square near the memorial - around the clock and free of charge.
The entrance to the memorial is different at different times of the year. From April to October, it is open from 10:00 to 18:00, weekends on Monday and Tuesday. From November to March it works the same, but the weekend is Monday - Wednesday.
Entrance cost:
- exposition of the memorial and observation deck on the roof - 120 CZK
- only expositions - 80 CZK
- observation deck only - 80 CZK
On the map
National monument on Vitkov
National monument on Vitkov
Monument in honor of the lost defenders of Prague during the Second World War on a hilltop in Vitkov Park. I recommend that you climb to the very top, otherwise you will not get any view. It is a really beautiful place, especially in the morning at dawn..
More about the hill.
Monument in honor of the lost defenders of Prague during the Second World War on a hilltop in Vitkov Park. I recommend that you climb to the very top, otherwise you will not get any view. It is a really beautiful place, especially in the morning at dawn. More about the hill.