Cemetery in Kněždub

The cemetery in Kněždub is a modest burial ground in the heart of Moravian Slovakia (Slovácko), known among art and history enthusiasts as the "Slovácko Slavín" – a reference to Prague's Slavín, the national pantheon of distinguished Czech figures. Although Kněždub itself is a small village in the Hodonín district, its cemetery holds the graves of three artists whose work left a lasting mark on Moravian art.

Who are the artists buried in Kněždub?

The best known is Joža Úprka (1861–1940), a painter and graphic artist who captured the everyday life, folk costumes, and landscapes of Moravian Slovakia. His paintings remain among the most important visual records of the region's traditional culture. Buried alongside him is his brother, Franta Úprka (1868–1929), a sculptor who drew inspiration from the same rural, folk environment. The third artist is Antoš Frolka (1877–1935), a painter and student of Joža Úprka, who documented village scenes as well as subjects related to the First World War.

Why is this place called the "Slovácko Slavín"?

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Moravian Slovakia became a destination for many artists drawn to the region's authentic, still-living folk culture. Besides painters and sculptors, the area also attracted composers such as Leoš Janáček and Vítězslav Novák, who sought inspiration in local folk music and customs. The fact that three prominent artists connected with this movement are buried together in one small village cemetery led people to compare the site to Slavín, the national pantheon in Prague reserved for the country's most distinguished figures.

What other memorials can be found at the cemetery?

Besides the artists' graves, the cemetery in Kněždub contains other significant memorials. It holds the graves of Romanian soldiers who died in 1945, a reminder of the fighting that took place in the area toward the end of the Second World War. There is also a memorial to the victims of the First World War, featuring a sculpture of a legionnaire – a type of commemoration common in many Czech and Moravian villages honoring local residents killed in the Great War.

Is the cemetery in Kněždub worth visiting?

For anyone interested in the history of Moravian art, a visit here offers the chance to pay tribute, in a single place, to three creators who shaped how Moravian Slovakia is perceived within Czech culture. A visit typically takes about half an hour, and entry is free. It makes a good addition to a broader tour of the region, especially for visitors following the footsteps of the Úprka family and the artistic heritage of Moravian Slovakia.

Frequently asked questions

Who is buried in the Kněždub cemetery? Painter and graphic artist Joža Úprka, sculptor Franta Úprka, and painter Antoš Frolka – three artists linked to the culture of Moravian Slovakia.

Why is it called the "Slovácko Slavín"? The section of the cemetery holding the artists' graves is compared to Prague's Slavín because it brings together the graves of several distinguished regional figures in one place.

Are there other memorials at the cemetery? Yes, it also contains the graves of Romanian soldiers who died in 1945 and a memorial to First World War victims featuring a legionnaire sculpture.

How long does a visit take? About 30 minutes, and admission to the cemetery is free.