Karel Havlíček Borovský

The Monument to Karel Havlíček Borovský stands on Havlíčkovo náměstí, the main square of the small town of Jedovnice in the Blansko district of the South Moravian Region. The square itself takes its name from this statue, a clear sign of how important this symbol of the Czech national revival has been to the local community.

Who was Karel Havlíček Borovský?

Karel Havlíček Borovský (1821-1856) was a Czech journalist, satirist, politician, and translator, and one of the leading figures of the 19th-century Czech national revival. He became known as an uncompromising political commentator who openly criticized Habsburg rule, a stance that led to his forced exile in Brixen, in what is now South Tyrol, where he spent several years cut off from public life. He died shortly after returning home, at just 35 years old. His defiance made him a lasting symbol of civic resistance against censorship and authoritarian power for generations of Czechs, and countless squares, streets, and schools across the country still bear his name.

Where exactly does the monument stand?

The statue stands in the very center of Jedovnice, on Havlíčkovo náměstí, the town's main gathering square. Jedovnice is a small market town (městys) set in the scenic Moravian Karst region, an area known for its limestone hills and cave systems. The monument stands in an open public space, freely accessible to visitors year-round.

When was the monument built, and why here?

The monument dates from 1900. That year falls within a broader wave of patriotic memorials erected across Czech and Moravian towns to honor Havlíček, part of the national revival movement that turned him into one of the most recognizable symbols of Czech resistance to Habsburg censorship. The fact that the town square in Jedovnice still carries his name shows how deeply this act of commemoration became woven into the town's local identity.

What else is worth seeing in Jedovnice?

The square and its immediate surroundings offer more than just the Havlíček monument. The town has a classicist Church of St. Peter and Paul, built between 1783 and 1785, with a stone cross from 1800 standing beside it. Nearby stands a statue of St. John of Nepomuk from 1717, one of the older monuments in town. Jedovnice is also known for the Olšovec pond, which covers roughly 42 hectares and serves in summer as a popular swimming and recreation spot for people from across the region. The town itself has a long history: a privilege granted by Emperor Rudolf II on September 26, 1579, confirmed its status as a town, and in January 2007 it formally regained the status of městys (market town).

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the monument to Karel Havlíček Borovský in Jedovnice? On Havlíčkovo náměstí, the main square of the town, in the Blansko district of the South Moravian Region.

What year was the monument built? It dates from 1900.

Why is the square called Havlíčkovo náměstí? The square takes its name from the monument to Karel Havlíček Borovský that stands on it.

What else can you see nearby? The classicist Church of St. Peter and Paul, a stone cross from 1800, a statue of St. John of Nepomuk from 1717, and the nearby Olšovec pond.

Is the monument accessible to visitors? Yes, it stands in an open public space in the center of town and can be freely viewed year-round.