About this place
The bust of Jean-Louis Raduit de Souches stands on one of the bastions of Špilberk Castle in Brno, honoring the French-born officer who commanded the city's defense against Swedish forces in 1645. Modest in scale compared to the fortress around it, the monument marks one of the pivotal episodes in Brno's history - the moment the city refused to fall.
Who was the man behind the bust?
Jean-Louis Raduit de Souches, whose name is also rendered in Czech as Ludvík, was born on 16 August 1608 and died on 12 August 1682. A professional soldier of French origin, he first served in the Swedish army before switching sides to serve the Imperial - Habsburg - forces. It was in this capacity that he was appointed commander of Brno's defense in March 1645, tasked with holding the city against an advancing Swedish army during the Thirty Years' War. The garrison under his command withstood the siege, and Brno was never taken - an outcome still remembered locally as a defining moment of resistance. For his service, de Souches held the rank of Field Marshal in the Imperial army, a title recorded on the monument's inscription to this day.
Where exactly does the bust stand?
The monument occupies a viewing platform on one of the bastions within the fortifications surrounding Špilberk hill, right in the heart of Brno. Its position is deliberate: the bust faces toward Petrov, home to the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, one of the most recognizable landmarks on Brno's skyline. A walk up to the bastion pairs naturally with a visit to Špilberk Castle itself, and the spot also offers a pleasant view over the rooftops of the old town.
Who created the monument, and when?
The bust dates from 1902 and was created by sculptor Johann Eduard Tomola. It takes the form of a bronze, larger-than-life portrait bust, set on a three-tiered pedestal of profiled, ornamented stone. A plaque of Brazilian granite is attached to the pedestal, carrying the monument's inscription.
How has the monument changed over time?
The bust's own history has mirrored the political shifts of the twentieth century. After 1918, following the founding of independent Czechoslovakia, the original plaque was covered with another whose exact wording is no longer known. Around 1945, a new plaque - this time of white marble - was installed. It was not until 1995-1996 that the monument underwent a complete reconstruction, restoring a form close to the original and adding the present-day inscription, which records de Souches's name, his rank, his dates of birth and death, and his role in defending the city.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Raduit de Souches? A professional soldier of French origin who commanded the defense of Brno against Swedish troops in 1645, having previously served in the Swedish army before switching to Imperial service.
When was the bust made, and who designed it? It was created in 1902 by the sculptor Johann Eduard Tomola.
Where exactly is the monument located? On a viewing platform on a bastion by Špilberk Castle in the center of Brno, facing toward the cathedral at Petrov.
What is the bust made of? Bronze - a larger-than-life portrait bust set on a three-tiered stone pedestal with a plaque of Brazilian granite.
Has the monument always looked the same? No - its original plaque was covered after 1918, a new marble plaque appeared around 1945, and the monument was fully reconstructed in 1995-1996.
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