Hašler na Starých zámeckých schodech

The Karel Hašler monument on the Old Castle Stairs is a small, understated statue in Prague's Malá Strana district, honouring one of the most beloved Czech songwriters of the early twentieth century. It stands at the very spot the composer once made famous in song, which is why the statue and the staircase are now closely tied together in the minds of Praguers and visitors alike.

Where exactly is the monument?

The statue stands on the Old Castle Stairs (Staré zámecké schody), a steep and historic pedestrian route connecting Malá Strana with Hradčany and leading toward Prague Castle. It is one of the oldest and most picturesque passages in this part of the city, often preferred by locals over the more crowded tourist routes up to the castle.

Who was Karel Hašler?

Karel Hašler (1879–1941) was a Czech singer-songwriter, composer, actor and screenwriter, regarded as one of the founders of modern Czech popular song. He wrote hundreds of songs, many of which remain part of the Czech cultural canon and are still sung today. During the German occupation he was arrested by the Gestapo for activities considered subversive and died in the Mauthausen concentration camp in 1941.

Why was the monument placed on these particular stairs?

Hašler composed the song "Po Starých zámeckých schodech" ("Down the Old Castle Stairs"), dedicated to this exact location. The song grew so popular over time that many Czechs now regard it as something close to a folk tune. Thanks to that song, the staircase carries an extra layer of sentimental meaning for Praguers, and the spot has long been associated with the artists and musicians who once walked between Malá Strana and the castle above.

When was the statue unveiled and who created it?

The monument was unveiled on 31 October 2009. The sculpture itself was created by Czech sculptor Stanislav Hanzík, while the architectural design of the site was handled by Pavel Kupka. The memorial was conceived specifically for this location, directly tied to the artist's own work — an unusual pairing of biography and geography rarely seen with monuments to other Czech cultural figures.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The Old Castle Stairs are an attraction in their own right, offering some of the nicer views over the rooftops of Malá Strana and the church towers of the district. The route continues toward Hradčany and Prague Castle, so visitors stopping at the Hašler monument can easily combine a short pause at the statue with a visit to the main sights of the castle hill.

Frequently asked questions

Who made the Karel Hašler monument? The statue was created by sculptor Stanislav Hanzík, with the architectural design by Pavel Kupka.

When was the monument unveiled? It was unveiled on 31 October 2009.

Why is the monument located on the Old Castle Stairs specifically? Because Karel Hašler wrote the song "Po Starých zámeckých schodech" about this exact staircase, which over time became closely associated with him.

Who was Karel Hašler and how did he die? He was a Czech singer, composer and actor who wrote hundreds of popular songs. He died in the Mauthausen concentration camp in 1941 after being arrested by the Gestapo.

How do you get to the monument? The monument stands on the Old Castle Stairs in Malá Strana, along the pedestrian route linking the district with Prague Castle.