bratři Mrštíkové

The Mrštík Brothers Monument stands in Brno on Rooseveltova street, right behind the rear ramp of the Janáček Theatre, in the heart of the city centre. It is a bronze double statue (sousoší) showing two larger-than-life male figures positioned as if engaged in conversation, resting on a rectangular stone pedestal inscribed "Alois a Vilém Mrštíkovi".

Who does the monument commemorate

The monument honours brothers Alois Mrštík (1861–1925) and Vilém Mrštík (1863–1912), Moravian writers and playwrights best known for the drama "Maryša" and the rural life chronicle "Rok na vsi". Born into a shoemaker's family, the two spent much of their working lives and literary careers in Moravia — the Brno monument itself, however, is a posthumous tribute rather than a work from their own era.

Who designed it and when it was built

The sculptural concept dates back to 1960, created by Vincenc Makovský, one of the most respected Czech sculptors of the 20th century, whose work can also be found elsewhere in Brno's public space. The actual bronze casting was carried out by Stanislav Hanzl, and the finished monument was unveiled in 1975 — more than a decade after the original design was conceived. It underwent a restoration in 2010, which is why the bronze surface and overall form remain in good condition today.

Where exactly to find it

The monument sits in the Brno-město district at Rooseveltova 1-7/03, effectively in the shadow of the Janáček Theatre, one of the city's principal theatre buildings. Because it stands by the rear ramp rather than the main entrance, visitors heading straight for a performance often walk right past it — it is worth circling the building to spot it.

Why it stands out

Unlike a typical monument built around a single figure gazing into the distance, Makovský chose to depict the two brothers face to face, as if still debating the next chapter of the literature they helped shape together. This dialogue-based composition is a relatively unusual way to commemorate a pair of collaborating writers, and it reflects the fact that Alois and Vilém worked on texts together for part of their careers, even though they died thirteen years apart — Vilém in 1912, Alois in 1925.

Frequently asked questions

Is the monument located inside the theatre building? No, it stands outdoors, on the rear ramp of the Janáček Theatre on Rooseveltova street, in a publicly accessible space.

What material is the monument made of? The two figures are cast in bronze, while the pedestal supporting them is made of stone.

When was the monument unveiled? It was unveiled in 1975, although Vincenc Makovský had already created the conceptual design back in 1960.

Has the monument ever been restored? Yes, it underwent its last major restoration in 2010.

Who were the Mrštík brothers? Alois (1861–1925) and Vilém (1863–1912) were Moravian writers and playwrights from a shoemaker's family, known for the drama "Maryša" and the chronicle "Rok na vsi".