It so happened that, being in Prague, I missed the most popular viewpoints (towers on the Old Town Square and at Charles Bridge, as well as the very top of the Petřín Hill), but I visited less touristy locations with panoramic views of the Czech capital. This post contains views of Prague from Vitkov Hill and the TV Tower.
1. I start my walk in the Karlin area, the place of my base. On the main square - Karlinskaya - near the walls of the neo-Romanesque church of Cyril and Methodius (1863) some kind of fair was held. 
2. And I'm on my way up to Vitkov Hill. It can be seen very well from "my" district Karlin, and from the center of Prague. Surely there should be beautiful views of the city from here, I thought. In general, the purpose of my walk was the TV tower in Zizkov, and I could walk the hill "right through" through a pedestrian tunnel about 300 meters long, but in that case I would have to sacrifice the panorama of the historical part.
A railway runs along the slope of the hill leading to the east of the country. The traffic is quite intense, but the trains are very short. They don't know about a single corporate color scheme on Czech highways :) 
3. Karlin. The church is impressive - the towers are 78 meters high. 
4. Wow, four-way! The tracks on the flyover lead to the main railway station in Prague - Hlavní Nádraží, which provides international connections between the city and neighboring countries. The straight paths end up at the dead-end Masaryk train station, the oldest in Prague (1843). Specialized mostly for commuter traffic.
In the lower right part of the image, you can see the yellow buses of the Student Agency (now operating under the RegioJet brand) - next to the Florenc international bus station. Convenient: transport hubs in Prague are located close to each other. 
6. Hundred-towered Prague and the opposite Petřín hill with its "Eiffel". No, I will definitely return to Prague in the future, I left so many "gaps" 
7.From Vitkov Hill, the Zizkov district is also clearly visible (alas, in the backlight) 
8. At the top - the National Monument, built in 1929-1933. On July 14, 1420, one of the most significant battles of the Hussite wars took place on Vitkova Gora. As a result, thanks to the one-eyed Jan Zizka from Trocnov, who determined the strategic importance of this place for the city, the attack of the troops of King Sigismund, who were trying to encircle the Hussites besieging Prague, was repulsed. The battle ended with the flight of the royal troops, the Hussites took possession of Prague. 
9. The idea of building a memorial to the courage of the Czech people appeared during the period of "national revival" at the end of the 19th century, but was realized only during the period of the First Czechoslovak Republic. 
10. During the Second World War, the monument was demolished (rebuilt in 1950; by the way, the largest equestrian statue in Europe). The functionalist building, conceived as a hall of fame for Czech legionnaires, was used as an armory. 
11. With the coming to power of the pro-Soviet regime, prominent figures of the Communist Party began to be buried here. In 1953, the leader of the Czechoslovak communists, Clement Gottwald, after participating in Stalin's funeral, died suddenly. There is a version that when he saw Stalin's embalmed body, he cried out: "He is poisoned!" (and the body of a poisoned person cannot be well embalmed), having himself become a victim of poisoning. Whether it is true or not, the National Monument served as the Mausoleum of Clement Gottwald for a very short time - only 7 years. Czechs love to discuss this topic: the popular opinion is that Gottwald's body was of poor quality or late embalming (possibly due to poisoning), because of the decomposition that began, the mausoleum was closed, and the mummy was cremated. There is even a joke about this: Gottwald is a real "fiery" communist. However, historians and people who participated in the embalming of the body reject the version of the unsuccessful embalming: a change in political conjuncture influenced, criticism of the personality cult of Gottwald began, in these conditions the further work of the mausoleum looked inappropriate. 
Today this place is not very popular among Prague residents: inside there are only some exhibitions about the history of the formation of Czechoslovakia as an independent state.
12. Let's admire the Zizkov district. Prague cannot be imagined without red roofs! 
15. Descending from the other side - on the way I met the Czech War Museum 
16. District Zizkov, as you might guess, is named after all the same Jan Zizka. There is no evidence of what this place looked like until the middle of the 19th century, however, during the industrial boom in the territory of the Royal Grapes (this is what this Prague suburb was originally called), housing appears for those arriving from the Czech hinterland. In 1873, Royal Vinohrady was divided into two independent cities: Vinohrady I and Vinohrady II. The first ones became modern ižkov. 
17. Despite the proximity of these two districts, the public settled in them differently - the middle class, the intelligentsia, even some of the honorary citizens of Prague settled in Vinohrady. Accordingly, the area was designed as more respectable. In Zizkov there were simpler people: workers of the Karlin and Smikhov factories, they built up apartment buildings with open inner galleries and two-room apartments. Until 1922, all these districts were outside the city limits of Prague, despite the fact that communications and transport constituted a single space - until the last moment residents opposed being a part of Prague because of the higher taxes in the capital. 
18. The hilly relief of Zizkov, according to some architects of that time, did not dispose to non-standard planning solutions, and determined the proletarian character of the population.
19. Catholic church of St. Prokop (1898-1903) 
20. The area is still considered relatively disadvantaged today, with many Roma and Asian families living here. Nevertheless, I liked it. They say that in order to feel the real atmosphere of Czech pubs, you need to come here in the evening.
I would have walked around Zizkov enough - but alas, the already burning program was running out. 
21. The dominant feature of the area is a television tower (1985-1992). It is also not very popular with tourists, but in vain (although, perhaps, fortunately, there are no huge crowds of people accompanying you throughout the historic center).
It is interesting not only for the views that open up, but also for its appearance: three tubes (in the widest one - two high-speed elevators), connected at different heights by transverse platforms. On the first - a restaurant (height - 66 meters), on the second - an observation deck (93 meters), the third - technical. The total height is 218 meters, taking into account the terrain - 256 meters above sea level.
Initially, the tower on the Petrin Hill was used to transmit TV and radio signals, but already in the 1970s its coverage was insufficient for the city and the immediate vicinity.
Many Prague residents dislike the tower - there are opinions that it does not fit well into the skyline of the ancient city, while for the majority it is firmly associated with the socialist past of the Czech Republic. Some even say that it offers the best views of Prague, because you can't see the tower itself (a statement originally dedicated to the Eiffel Tower). 
22. One way or another, in twenty-five years the tower has deservedly become a landmark of Prague. Ready for the "best views"?
By the way, it was a revelation for me that Prague, whose name sounds somehow aristocratic in Russian, is pronounced with the Ukrainian "g" in Czech, completely killing this bombastic flair. 
23. The area is glazed, this affects the quality of the pictures (and in general I was just learning how to shoot then, do not judge strictly the photographic material of the post as a whole :)
I was recommended to come here at sunset, but with the timing in Prague I had a real problem. 
24. Let's start with a view to the west. Vinohrady region with Riegrovy sady. Round squares look especially good from above 
25. A beautiful building with towers, reminiscent of early Stalinist architecture, and to the right of it - the club "Palace Akropolis" in the Art Deco style. This is northwest 
26. Center in a close-up view. Almost all the sights of Prague in one picture :) In the foreground is the landing stage of the Main Railway Station. 
27. View strictly to the north: a sea of red roofs and an island of greenery - Vitkov hill 
28. A wide highway goes to the east. Olshany district and the cemetery of the same name 
29. In the south - Irzhigo iz Podebrady square 
30. Southwest. A picturesque boulevard, and somewhere in the distance the Congress Center and Vysehrad 
37. The composition of crawling babies by David the Black transformed the appearance of the tower in 2000. At first, the “babies” were removed for the winter, fearing that they would fall down under the weight of the snow, but this caused the displeasure of the inhabitants - in just one season they managed to fall in love with the inhabitants of Prague. They weren't filmed anymore. David Cerny himself - a very controversial person - speaks of the duration of the presence of his sculptural group: "At the moment, the estimated period of the babies' stay on the tower is 10-20 years. That is, until they fall off themselves. Everyone hopes that this will not happen, but , who knows". Babies have no faces, a sign of support from the author of the anti-abortion campaign. 
38. For its resemblance to a space rocket at the launch site, the Prague people call the tower "our Baikonur" 
39. Unusual Church of the Sacred Heart of the Lord (1932). More like a train station than a temple. It was built as a monument of gratitude to God for gaining independence by Czechoslovakia. The 7.6 meter glass clock is the largest in Prague and one of the largest in Europe. 
40. Going down to the subway - going to the center to take a walk along the Vltava embankment. 
41. It's funny: I read on the tourist forum about the above-mentioned church with a glass clock, one of the women Russified the hard-to-pronounce name of the metro station "Irzhigo z Podebrady" as "Ukhtygospodibrat" :) 
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.
The Vitkov Park (Park na Vítkově) is located on the hill of the same name in the eastern part. The elongated and narrow Vitkov Hill, covered with dense greenery, is considered a symbol of the Czech people, which recalls the firmness of spirit and the importance of national unity. Because it was here on June 14, 1420 that the insurgent 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 to cut down forests and plant a vine. The name Vitkov Hill was given in honor of the Prague bourgeoisie Vitkov s Hora, who owned a vineyard on it.
During the Thirty Years War, all the 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 land was sown with grass, trees and bushes were planted, paths were laid. The hill has become a city park.
The park
Today, Vitkov Park is cozy, there is not even a trace of past destruction. Oaks, lindens and silver maples, yellow acacia and pine, mulberry and honeysuckle grow all around. Peregrine falcons live in the forested area. Vacationers have picnics on the well-groomed lawns. Throughout the park, there are asphalt paths - for cyclists and roller skaters, for walking.
A pedestrian tunnel has been built under Vitkov since 1953. Its length is 303 m, and it is the shortest route connecting the Zizkov and Karlin districts.
Modern Vitkov claims the status of 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 up.
The park contains several attractions that Czechs especially value. Walking here, you will 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 ižka is the work of Bohumil Kafka. This unique statue is one of the ten largest equestrian sculptures in the world: its height is 9 m, including the pedestal - 22 m, total weight - 16.5 tons. The monument was opened in 1950, on the anniversary of the Battle of Vitkov. Then the Hussites, led by Jan ižka, defeated the crusaders.
On the square in front of the monument to Jan Zizka, parades are held, like we do on Red Square. All sorts of troops are marching, they are greeted by the president, famous people of the country are laying flowers on the grave of the unknown soldier.
In front of the Zizka monument, under a granite slab, there is the tomb of the unknown soldier, in which the remains from the battlefield at Zborov and from the Dukel operation are buried.
National memorial on Vitkov
On Vitkov, 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 XXI century it was thoroughly restored. In the socialist years, the most prominent representatives of the communist government were buried here, as well as the mausoleum of the first communist leader of the Czech Republic, Clement 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 History Museum of the memorial houses the exposition "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 Hlavní nádraží station on line C or to Florenc on lines B and C.
How can I save up to 20% on hotels?
It's very simple - look not only at the booking. I prefer the search engine RoomGuru. He is looking for discounts on Booking and 70 other booking sites at the same time.
The wonderful tradition of humanity - to honor the memory of its heroes - is rooted in the very distant past. Legends and epics were written about those who gave their lives for the sake of their homeland, and later they wrote books and made films. They were immortalized in marble and bronze, recreated in musical and pictorial works. Therefore, in almost every country you can find magnificent monuments of the past, these kind of milestones that show descendants the path to freedom and happiness. In the Czech Republic, one of these monuments is the National Memorial at 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 it the name Vitkov, but legends say that it happened in honor of a peasant who grows wonderful grapes on the 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 wilderness oasis in the middle of 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 base for the construction of the monument.
Vitkova Gora as a symbol of an invincible 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 "crusaders" led by Jan ižka fortified themselves on the eastern slope of the hill and engaged in battle with several hundred knights-crusaders. An unprecedented weapon - a chain bound with iron - knocked warriors in full knightly outfit off their horse. In panic, they fled, 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 Vitkov Mountain began to be called ižkova by the people in memory of one of the glorious sons of this land, Yana ižka.
Monument to the hero of the Hussite wars
Today the hill is crowned with a bronze equestrian sculpture of the national hero. The idea of its creation originated at the end of the 19th century, and at the beginning of the 20th century a competition was announced, in which the project of the sculptor Bohumil Kafka won. Unfortunately, the author himself did not live to see the opening of the monument and did not find out that it was recognized as the world's largest equestrian monument. 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 at 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, there is a majestic and strict architectural 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 the decoration work continued for another six years. The events of World War II, fortunately, did not destroy the memorial, but the German authorities set up a warehouse here, which seriously damaged the interior of the building. Restoration work took place both immediately after the war and at the end of the 20th century, when many rooms were redesigned.
Power laboratory and beyond
The National Memorial includes the tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Battle of the Dukela Operation, as well as the exposition "Crossroads of Czech Statehood". In the 50-60s, there was the mausoleum of Clement Gottwald, the first president of the Czechoslovak Republic. Now the mummified body is no longer there, but the Power Laboratory exhibition is located in the premises where they took care of its safety.
There is a Hall of Identities in the memorial building, where the largest organ in the country is located. There you can also get acquainted with the mosaic of Jakub Obrovsky "Where is my home", see tablets with the coats of arms of the Czech Republic, made in ceramics. Not so long ago, memorial plaques of contemporary participants in foreign military missions were installed in one of the halls.
Many Prague monuments are associated with Czech history. One of these monuments is equestrian statue of Jan Zizka located on Vitkovsky hill, Prague-Zizkov district. The monument rises on the Vitkovsky hill, which was named after a citizen of Vitka s Gora, 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 statue of Jan Zizka on horseback... Jan ižka was the leader of the Hussite army, he defeated the crusaders who were sent to eliminate the Hussite movement. The battle took place on the Vitkovsky hill on July 14, 1420. In gratitude for the victory, the Prague quarter was named after Jan ižka, and in 1950 an equestrian statue created by Bohumil Kafka was erected.
Initially, the monument was planned in the eighties of the 19th century, it was believed that he 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, the bronze statues were mercilessly cut with autogenes and sent to be melted down. After the end of the war, it was decided to restore the monument, but not in the previously conceived form. The communists decided that the center of the monument would be a huge statue of Jan ižka, a Czech war hero and spontaneous Bolshevik. By 1950, the monument was completed and recognized the largest equestrian statue in the whole 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 with many hippologists and historians. Alas, the master died before the statue of Jan ižka was finished.
Wonderful views of Prague open from Vitkovsky Hill.
Behind statues of Jan Zizka you can contemplate 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 with the largest organ in the Czech Republic. Later, the complex began to be used as a mausoleum, where Clement Gottwald ordered to bury government, party and other communist leaders. Masterfully cast bronze gates with relief work by Malevsky on the theme of the struggle of the Czech people for liberation lead to the mausoleum. In the center of the hall stands the former sarcophagus of Clement Gottwald and several large bronze candlesticks. The hall is lined with mosaics depicting Soviet soldiers.
Currently, the mausoleum on Vitkovsky Hill open only a few days a year, opening dates are announced in advance in newspapers. It is planned to re-qualify the National Monument into a modern historical museum, which will house an exhibition dedicated to Czech statehood.
If you go to the memorial from the back side, you will pass a large park, where there are almost no passers-by.
Views from Vitkovsky Hill open to different parts of Prague.
Anyone who wants to walk around many interesting monuments in one walk will be of interest to you.
How to get to Vitkovský Hill and the Jan ižka monument
Take tram 1, 9 or 16 to the Ohrada stop, then uphill through the park. Or take tram 5, 9 or 26 to Husinecká. There, on foot up. At the foot of the hill is the Army Museum, which you can drop by along the way. The entrance is free, here.
The monument to Bozhena Nemcova is located on the Slovan Island, which is located in the center of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The monument has become one of the symbols of the park in which it is located. The monument in Prague was created in collaboration between the Czech People's Artist, sculptor Karel Pokorny, and the architect Jaroslav Fragner, who designed the excellent pedestal.
Bozena Nemcova occupies a special place in Czech literature. She is often referred to as the founder of modern Czech prose. Having practically no means of subsistence at the end of her life, the writer received due recognition and national fame only after her death. The bronze sculpture is filled with emotion and true human drama. The monument to Bozhena Nemcova in Prague is considered one of the best monuments to this outstanding Czech writer.
Monument to Jan Hus
In the Czech Republic, Jan Hus is a national hero, a great thinker and ideologist of the Czech Reformation. He spoke out against corruption, hypocrisy and extortion of the Catholic Church.
A complex multi-figured composition on a huge stone pedestal is inscribed in the ensemble of the square in such a way that the tall figure of the courageous preacher-reformer Jan Hus was in the geometric center of the square.
On the monument there is an inscription that expresses the basic philosophy of the great Czech reformer: “Love people”.
The sculptural groups surrounding it personify the dramatic fate of the Czech Republic: the Hussite wars are sent into exile, the mother and child symbolize the hope for national revival.
The monument is undoubtedly one of the most significant works of the early 20th century Czech sculptor Ladislav Šaloun.
The Old Town Square is a pedestrian zone; there are always many walking Prague citizens and tourists.
Monument "Prshemysl and Libuše"
The legend about the founding of Prague says that after the death of Cech, who brought the Czech people to Bohemia, his son, Voivode Krok, founded the city on a rock above the Vltava River and named it Vysehrad due to its high location. When Krok died, the Czechs chose his youngest daughter, Libuše, as a princess. Deciding to move the capital, she sent servants to look for a place on the left bank of the Vltava. The servants met the woodcutters who were cutting the tree. "What are you doing?" - asked the servants of Libuše. "We cut the threshold" - answered the woodcutters. Returning, the servants reported everything to the princess. "On the threshold of this, the new city will be called Prague, and the glory of its stars will reach!" - the impressionable Libushe commanded.
It is believed that at the place where Libuše uttered these words, a monument was erected in Vysehrad.
Monument to Berdzhikh Smetana
The monument to Bedřich Smetana was erected in front of the entrance to the composer's museum. On the site where the monument is installed, there is a beautiful view of the Vltava River, Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.
Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) - famous Czech composer, chief conductor of the Czech National Opera House and pianist. His name is associated with the national school of composition. In his works, he used Czech subjects and folk motives. He owns the work "Brandenburgers in Bohemia", which became the first opera in history in the Czech language. His symphonic poem "Vltava" is considered an unofficial Czech anthem. Buried Smetana at the Vysehrad cemetery.
Monument to the city tramp
The Monument to the Urban Tramp is a modern original monument to the Czech homeless, located in the heart of the capital of the Czech Republic. It is a seated statue of a man on a blue bench - a barefoot middle-aged man wearing a hat and a loose cloak.
The Tramp Monument is located on a small street in the historical center of the Czech Republic, between Wenceslas and Old Town Squares. This is a small human-sized statue, around which tourists are happy to rest and take pictures. The monument is cast from bronze. Vacationers in Prague love to shake hands with him, rub his nose or the hem of his raincoat for good luck.
Monument on Bilya Gora
The monument on Bilya Gora is a stone embankment with a memorial plaque. It was erected in memory of those killed during a short battle that took place on Bilya Gora on November 8, 1620 as part of the Thirty Years War. On this day, the Habsburg Catholic army defeated the Czech Protestants, which sealed the fate of the Czech state for the next three centuries.
Bilaya Gora, 381 meters high, is one of the districts of Prague and is located on its western outskirts. The monument to the fallen Czech Protestants is located in the middle of a field on a hill where the troops met in 1620.
A monument to Soviet soldiers was erected at the Olshansky military grave in Prague in the Zizkov district. Next to the monument to the soldiers who fell during the liberation of Prague from the German invaders, there are identical tombstones in the form of a stone pillar with a five-pointed star. A total of 426 people are buried here. Architect Karel Beneš and sculptor Jaroslav Brugi worked on the project of the monument. The monument is a tall gray slab with a bronze soldier holding a rifle in his hands. A five-pointed star with Soviet symbols: a hammer and sickle rises above the slab. The monument is accompanied by a memorial plaque.
Monument to Rabindranath Tagore
The monument to Rabindranath Tagore is located in the historical district of Prague-6, near the Dejvicka metro station, in the capital of the Czech Republic. This is a monument in honor of an outstanding Indian writer and poet, composer and performer, politician, who also had a positive influence on certain cultural figures in the Czech Republic. The monument to Tagore is made in the form of a bust of the writer on a high pedestal and is located in the middle of a small square.
Monument to Palach and Zaits
On January 16, 1969, Jan Palach was self-immolated on Wenceslas Square, who protested against the occupation of the Czechoslovak Republic by Soviet troops. Jan Palach was a twenty-year-old student who, seeing around the passiveness in the actions of his compatriots in front of the troops that occupied Czechoslovakia, out of despair, fearing that the country could forever remain a totalitarian state, committed an act of self-immolation. Jan Zaitz followed suit.
Monument to Josef Manes
The monument to Josef Manes stands on the embankment of Prague at the base of the bridge, named after an outstanding Czech artist of the 19th century.
Josef Manes is a leading Czech painter of the 19th century. His works in the style of romanticism were a striking continuation of the European artistic tradition.
The monument to the artist was erected at the end of the 19th century on the embankment, near the Rudolfinum Hall, where the Prague National Orchestra is located.
The figure of Manes, who holds an easel in his hands, complements the architectural ensemble of the square, echoing the monument to another great Czech - Antonin Dvořák, whose sculpture is installed opposite.
Monument TGM
A bronze monument to the first President of Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, has been erected on Hradčanská Square in Prague.
The three-meter figure of Tomas Masaryk rises on a granite pedestal in the very center of the historical district of Prague Hradcany.
The monument was made by sculptors Josef Weitz and Jan Bartosz after the model of master Otakar Spaniel, enlarging the original model three times. The prototype of the sculpture was created in 1931 and is now housed in the Prague Pantheon of the National Museum. Architect Jiří Ratouski gave a modern look to the original model.
After the monument was erected on Hradcany Square, a copy of the statue was also made, which was then taken away and placed in Mexico City on the main avenue named after Masaryk. He is so well known in his country that the authors limited themselves to the laconic inscription "TGM" on the monument, without decoding the full name of the first president.
Monument to Sigmund Freud "The Hanging Man"
The "Hanging Man" monument to Sigmund Freud is located on the protruding part of the roof of one of the houses in Prague. The figure of the famous scientist "hangs" with one hand on the beam. The author of such an unusual creation is the notorious Prague sculptor David Cherny. The monument was created in 1996 and was an overwhelming success, in connection with which the sculpture was hung in Prague, Chicago, London.
They say that from a distance in the twilight the suspended figure of Freud resembles a gallows or a person in trouble and often frightens passers-by. Some even see the sculpture as similar to Vladimir Lenin and political overtones. But according to the author's intention, the monument should personify the isolation of the intelligentsia from the people.
Fountain-Monument to Peeing Men
The peeing fountain is erected in the courtyard in front of the Franz Kafka Museum. The museum is located on the territory of Mala Strana, about 50 meters from the Charles Bridge. The museum contains the published books of the writer, his diary, letters, photographs, sketches and many other things related to his life.
In front of the museum there is an extraordinary sculpture, which is a fountain composition made by David Cherny. Two bronze men stand opposite each other, relieving themselves in a shallow reservoir shaped like the borders of the Czech Republic. The author-creator was inspired for this sculptural work by the statue of a peeing boy, located in Brussels.
Prague metronome
The Prague metronome over the Vltava is a unique monument in its own way. On the one hand, it is ridiculous and, as they say, closes a kind of emptiness that has formed in this place in the course of historical events. On the other hand, impartially counting the hours, minutes, moments, the metronome is an impeccable and powerful symbol of time that does not depend on anything. Towering over the center of the most beautiful Prague, this awkward building breaks stereotypes and often leads to existential experiences.
The monument was erected in 1991 on the site of the former monument to Stalin. History decreed that a huge monument to the leader of the nations was erected at an unfortunate time, in 1955. Several years later it was dismantled, and the resulting hole was eventually "plugged" with a metronome, a kind of example of contemporary art. At first, the temporarily located monument has taken root and for the third decade has been steadily and steadily swinging its pendulum. And it seems that this process will never stop.
Monument to Wenceslas on an Upside Down Horse
The Monument to Wenceslas on an Upside Down Horse is an ironic version of the famous classic monument to St. Wenceslas. This unusual monument was made by the scandalous scandalous sculptor David Cherny.
This version is in no way inferior in popularity to the original: a horse tied by its legs hangs upside down with its tongue out, and the Czech king Wenceslas sits on its belly.
At first, it was decided to erect the monument, though close to the original, but on the other side of the square. However, the inhabitants of the city did not like this creation of the sculpture and caused a whole storm of discontent. Therefore, it was decided to move the monument to another place.
Today he can be seen in the atrium of the Lucerne arcade. There the monument is suspended from the ceiling on iron cables, and there are always many tourists around it.
Monument to Jan Nepomuk
Monument to Jan Nepomuk - a statue depicting the famous Czech saint and martyr, installed on the Charles Bridge in Prague. It is believed that touching the statue brings good luck and happiness.
The first monument to Jan Nepomuk was erected on Charles Bridge at the beginning of the 17th century, and a modern bronze sculpture appeared in 1863. Its author was the famous sculptor Wolfgang Gerolt, and the pedestal was made by Jean Baptiste Matey. The monument turned out to be very beautiful and majestic, and it quickly became a model for many other sculptures depicting Jan Nepomuk.
And even today this statue is considered the most beautiful decoration of the Charles Bridge and one of the most famous sights of Prague.
Monument to firemen
The Firefighter Monument is a memorial to the 343 New York City firefighters who died in a New York City rescue effort on September 11, 2001, in a terrorist attack. This monument was opened on the island of Kampa. in Prague. The monument is a granite monument that depicts a firefighter's helmet with the number 114.
The words on the pedestal read: “A firefighter is a person who lives in the world twice: for himself and for others. And that's why the life of a firefighter is a real example of a true understanding of human life. "
The opening of the monument was attended by the mayor of the capital Boguslav Svoboda and representatives of the US Embassy. After the end of the national anthem, members of the Prague Corps of Volunteer Firefighters laid wreaths on the granite monument.
Monument "Pieta" on the Charles Bridge
The monument "Pieta" is located on the Charles Bridge in Prague. This sculptural group was created in 1859 by the sculptor Emanuel Max, who captured the mourning scene for Jesus Christ. Translated from Italian "Pieta" means mercy and piety.
In addition to the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene familiar in this iconographic plot, the Apostle John the Theologian also mourns for the Savior on the Charles Bridge.
This is not the first Pieta erected on this site. Previously, there was the hand of the sculptor Jan Brokoff, carved from the Piet stone in 1695, which was later transferred to the garden of the Convent of the Merciful Sisters. And at an earlier time, namely in the 15th century, on the site of modern Pieta there was an image of the Crucifixion, demolished by a powerful flood in 1496.
In addition to Pieta, today on the Charles Bridge there are 29 more sculptural groups dedicated to Catholic saints and having their own unique history.
Monument to St. Wenceslas
In 1912, one of the sights of Prague was erected in front of the building of the National Museum, a monument to St. Wenceslas by Joseph Vaclav Myslbek.
Monument to Jan Hus
The monument to Jan Hus is located in the northern part of the square and with all its grandeur it demonstrates the symbol of national unity. A philosopher, preacher and leader, who fought for the freedom of the Czechs, was declared a heretic in 1414, and a year later he was sentenced by the Catholic Church to execution by burning.
Monument to Charles IV
The monument to Charles IV was erected on Křížovnice Square, at the Charles Bridge, in Prague. It was erected to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Charles University in 1848. This four-meter high bronze monument is made in the neo-gothic style. It is adorned with allegories from four university faculties: Arnosht Pardubicki, Jan Ocek Vlashimski, Beneš Kolovratskiy and Mathieu Arraskiy - famous associates of the king.
Charles IV is depicted holding a sword - a symbol of his military victories and the statute of the university. It is worth noting that Charles University, which is the main one in the country, the oldest in Central Europe, and also one of the oldest in the world, was founded by the emperor in 1348.
Monument to Franz Kafka
Between the Spanish Synagogue and the Church of the Holy Spirit in the Old Town there is an unusual monument - a monument to the famous Austro-Hungarian writer Franz Kafka.
The bronze sculpture, designed by Jaroslav Rona, appeared in Prague in 2003. The Kafka monument is 3.75 meters high and weighs 700 kilograms. The monument depicts the writer on the shoulders of a giant costume, in which the one who should wear it is absent. The monument refers to one of Kafka's works "The History of a Struggle". This is a story about a man who, astride the shoulders of another person, wanders the streets of Prague.
Monument to the victims of communism
The monument to the victims of communism is a multi-sculptural allegorical composition located at the foot of the Petřín Hill in the Lesser Town of Prague. This memorial was erected in honor of the victims of the totalitarian regime of 1948-1988. The monument was opened in 2002 by sculptor Olbram Zubek and architects Zdenek Holzel and Jan Kerel.
The sculptural composition consists of 7 bronze figures, which are depicted going down the stairs. Each subsequent statue is more “destroyed” than the previous one: first the limbs are “lost”, then cracks appear in the bodies, and in the end it seems that the person has gradually dissolved. As conceived by the authors, the monument symbolizes the suffering of political prisoners during the communist rule. In the center there is an inscription indicating how many people were arrested, deported, died in prisons, killed while fleeing, executed in those years. And on the bronze plaque placed next to it, it is explained to whom this monument is dedicated.
Monument to Jan Zizka
Monument to Jan Zizka - equestrian statue of Jan Zizka, erected on Vitkov Hill in 1950. It symbolizes the memory of the national hero of the Czech Republic - Jan ižke, who in this place in 1420 with four thousand people defended Prague from the thousands of crusader troops.
The Jan ižke National Monument is located in the center of Vitkov Park, on the top of the hill of the same name, practically in the center of Prague. The grandiose statue of the national hero of the Czech Republic is nine meters high without a pedestal and weighs almost 17 tons. It consists of 120 bronze parts and five thousand bolts. The Jan Zizka statue is the world's largest bronze equestrian monument. It was designed by the Czech sculptor Bohumil Kafka, influenced by the works of Auguste Rodin, but the master himself did not see his own creation, since he died in the Second World War.
Monument to Yaroslav Hasek
The monument to Jaroslav Hasek, located in Prague, is made in the Art Nouveau style. The monument is a kind of hybrid of a horse with a bar counter. In the center of it is a small pedestal with a bust of the writer himself. The horse is made of bronze, the stele and bust of the writer are made of stone. A huge hole has been made inside the horse. According to the original idea, a beer barrel was to be located in this place.
The famous Czech sculptor Neprash Karel became the author of the monument. However, the author himself did not live three years before its discovery. The monument to Yaroslav Hasek was opened in 2005. Its opening was like a national holiday. During this event, the best Czech choreographic groups performed. On the same day, soldiers fired gunshots and sang the national anthem.
By the way, the monument cost the Czech treasury one hundred and forty thousand dollars.
Ghost monument
The people of Prague really respect their ghosts. And even one of them was erected a monument! This is the Iron Man, whose statue you will find at the corner of the New Town Hall building.
The spirit of Yachim Berka justly pays for his sins. Returning home from the war, he, believing the gossip, rejected his bride. Only after marrying a neighbor's girl did he find out what a mistake he had made. Not only did the rejected girl and her father take their own lives, but his wife also became a lazy drunkard.
He made a man's decision: he strangled his wife and hanged himself in the basement. But even then he did not find peace. His spirit wanders along Platnerzhskaya Street, hoping for deliverance. Once in a hundred years, he can talk to a pure girl. However, today such a cat cried, and chatting with girls battered by life will not help Yahim.
Monument to Antonin Dvorak
The monument to Antonin Dvořák was erected on Jan Palach Square in front of the famous Rudolfinium, the Palace of Music and Arts.
Antonín Dvořák is an internationally renowned Czech composer whose works made his home country famous. The musical traditions of Bohemia and Moravia, folk music and tunes of his native land found expression in his work. In the last years of his life, Dvořák was director of the Prague Conservatory, which at that time was located in the Rudolfinium, a palace in the heart of the city.
After World War II, a bronze monument to Antonin Dvořák was erected on the square in front of the residence of the Czech Symphony Orchestra.
Prague landmarks
Franz Kafka Museum, Prague, Czech Republic
