Jan Žižka z Trocnova

The Jan Žižka of Trocnov monument rises within a large memorial complex right next to the settlement of Trocnov, today part of the Borovany municipality in South Bohemia. Tradition holds that this is the birthplace of the most celebrated Hussite military commander, and the site has long drawn history enthusiasts and travelers looking for a quiet spot with a striking story attached.

Who was Jan Žižka of Trocnov?

Jan Žižka of Trocnov and the Chalice was one of the most gifted military commanders of medieval Europe. A knight by background, he was a contemporary of Jan Hus and an active supporter of his religious teachings, and he later rose to lead the Taborites, the most radical wing of the Hussite movement. Under his command, Hussite forces repelled three separate crusades launched against them, and he never lost a single campaign throughout his entire military career. He is remembered in Czech tradition as a national hero, admired for his tactical skill and unwavering commitment to his cause.

What does the monument look like, and who designed it?

The memorial statue was created by sculptor Josef Malejovský, while the architectural concept for its base came from Adolf Benš. The figure itself, carved from granite quarried near Liberec, is larger than life-size and stands atop a massive six-meter pedestal shaped like a truncated four-sided pyramid. The whole monument was built in the late 1950s and into the 1960s, and it has dominated the surrounding countryside ever since, visible from a distance across the fields and woodland.

What else can visitors find around the monument?

The statue itself is only one part of a much larger site. A marked walking trail loops around it, leading to the preserved foundations of old farmsteads believed to have stood here during Žižka's youth — his family's homestead and the neighboring Mikš farmstead. The grounds also host a museum exhibition dedicated to Žižka and the Hussite Wars, and in 2024 an archaeological open-air skanzen opened nearby, reconstructing what a medieval village in this part of Bohemia might have looked like. The entire area has held the status of a national cultural monument since 1978 and has been managed as a branch of the South Bohemian Museum since 2011.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the monument located? The complex sits about 5 kilometers from the center of Borovany, near the former settlement of Trocnov, which today administratively belongs to the Borovany municipality.

Is the monument a protected heritage site? Yes — the entire memorial area has been a national cultural monument since 1978 and is run as a branch of the regional museum.

What else is worth seeing besides the statue? Visitors can follow the trail to the foundations of historic farmsteads, explore the on-site museum exhibition, and tour the new open-air skanzen recreating a medieval village, completed in 2024.

Why does this place matter to Czechs? Trocnov is regarded as the birthplace of Jan Žižka, the undefeated Hussite commander and one of the most recognizable figures in Czech national history.