busta Boženy Němcové

The bust of Božena Němcová is a small monument to one of the most important Czech writers of the 19th century, mounted on the facade of house no. 27 on Smetanovo náměstí — the main square of Litomyšl. The bust is accompanied by a commemorative plaque marking the spot where the house Němcová once lived in with her family used to stand.

Where exactly is the bust located?

The sculpture sits on the building at Smetanovo náměstí 27, the square named after composer Bedřich Smetana, who was born in Litomyšl. It's right in the heart of the old town, close to the historic townhouses lining the square and within easy walking distance of Litomyšl Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Why is Božena Němcová commemorated in Litomyšl specifically?

Božena Němcová, author of the novel "Babička" (Grandmother), regarded as one of the most important works of 19th-century Czech prose, came to Litomyšl because of her husband Josef Němec's job — he worked as a financial official who was frequently relocated between Czech towns. The family settled in a house that stood on the site of today's building at no. 27 from September 1839. It is this stay that the bust and plaque on the square commemorate.

The writer returned to Litomyšl once more in the autumn of 1861, this time at the invitation of local publisher Antonín Augusta, who was planning to bring out a collected edition of her works, including a new edition of "Babička." It was her final stay in the town — she died in January 1862 in Prague, not long after leaving Litomyšl.

Who created the monument?

The bust was made by sculptor Ladislav Faltejsek in 1971. It belongs to a broader set of bronze plaques, busts, and reliefs placed around Litomyšl, part of a memorial trail dedicated to people and events tied to the town's history — the Němcová bust is one of the stops along a walk through Smetanovo náměstí.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Smetanovo náměstí is one of the most striking town squares in the Czech Republic — a long, rectangular space lined with Renaissance and Baroque townhouses with arcaded ground floors. On the hill above the town stands Litomyšl Castle, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an example of a Renaissance arcaded chateau. Visiting the Němcová bust pairs naturally with a walk across the square and a visit to the castle grounds, tying together the town's literary and musical heritage in a single stop.

When is the best time to visit?

Litomyšl is best visited in spring and summer, when the square comes alive with cafés and cultural events and the longer days make it easy to combine a walk through the old town with a visit to the castle. Autumn is a good choice for travelers looking for a quieter atmosphere and fewer crowds on Smetanovo náměstí.

Frequently asked questions

What does the bust at Smetanovo náměstí 27 depict? It depicts Czech writer Božena Němcová, author of "Babička," placed on the site of the house where she lived with her family from 1839.

Who made the sculpture? The bust was created by sculptor Ladislav Faltejsek in 1971.

Did Božena Němcová die in Litomyšl? No — her last stay in the town was in the autumn of 1861, but she died in January 1862 in Prague.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes, the bust stands on Smetanovo náměstí, a few minutes' walk from Litomyšl Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.