bust of František Palacký

The Palacký Monument stands on Palackého náměstí in Prague's New Town, right at the northern approach to the Palacký Bridge. It's one of the most recognizable monuments in this part of the city — a tribute to the historian and statesman still known to Czechs as the "father of the nation."

Where exactly does the monument stand?

The monument occupies the central spot on Palackého náměstí, a square in Prague's New Town district (Nové Město), on the bank of the Vltava closest to the Palacký Bridge. The location carries clear symbolic weight — both the square and the bridge bear the same name, and the surrounding urban layout was designed to showcase the monument. Walking from the New Town toward Smíchov, it's hard to miss: it dominates its surroundings and anchors the square's main sightline.

Who created the monument, and when?

The monument was unveiled in 1912. It was designed by sculptor Stanislav Sucharda and architect Alois Dryák, while the horseshoe-shaped groups of figures flanking the composition were modeled by Josef Mařatka. The work sits at the height of Czech sculptural modernism, ambitiously combining a portrait of a historical figure with allegorical figure groups.

What does the monument represent?

At the time of its unveiling, the monument was read as a statement of Czech national emancipation and the nation's path toward its own statehood — a message that carried particular weight two years before the outbreak of the First World War and six years before the founding of independent Czechoslovakia. The figure of Palacký, surrounded by allegorical sculpture groups, was meant to embody the continuity of Czech history and the strength of a reawakening nation.

Who was František Palacký?

František Palacký (1798–1876) was a Czech historian and politician regarded as the "father of the Czech nation" (otec národa). As the author of a multi-volume history of the Czech lands, he played a defining role in the 19th-century Czech National Revival, shaping a modern national identity grounded in historical scholarship. He was also an active politician, sitting in the Bohemian Diet and representing Czech interests before the authorities in Vienna, where he championed Austro-Slavism — the idea of transforming the Habsburg monarchy into a federation that recognized the rights of its Slavic peoples.

What else is worth knowing about the square?

Palackého náměstí honors more than just the historian himself. A short distance away, within just a few dozen meters, stands a commemorative plaque dedicated to František Ladislav Rieger — Palacký's son-in-law and another prominent 19th-century Czech politician. Together, the two memorials create a kind of family and political context for the square, recalling a generation of Czech national activists who shaped their country's identity long before it gained independence.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Palacký Monument located? On Palackého náměstí in Prague's New Town, at the northern approach to the Palacký Bridge.

When was the monument built, and who designed it? It was unveiled in 1912; the authors were sculptor Stanislav Sucharda and architect Alois Dryák, with the figure groups modeled by Josef Mařatka.

Who was František Palacký? A 19th-century Czech historian and politician known as the "father of the Czech nation" for his role in the National Revival and his scholarship on Czech history.

What does the monument symbolize? At the time it was built, it was seen as an expression of Czech national emancipation and the pursuit of self-governance.

Are there other memorials nearby? Yes — close by stands a plaque dedicated to František Ladislav Rieger, Palacký's son-in-law and also a Czech politician.