Liechtenstein Memorial in the Říčka Valley

The Liechtenstein memorial in the Říčka valley is a pair of stone monuments standing on a hillside above the path that runs through the Říčka valley, close to the village of Hostěnice in Moravia. The site sits near a well-known hiking crossroads called Pod Lhotkami, where the forest slopes gently down toward the stream below. It is one of many similar memorials erected across the former Liechtenstein estates to mark the long reign of Prince Johann II.

Why was it built?

The memorial dates back to 1898, when foresters employed on the Liechtenstein estates raised it to mark the fortieth anniversary of the accession of Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein. Johann II ruled for an extraordinary 71 years, making him one of the longest-reigning monarchs in European history. Similar stone monuments were put up that same year on every forest district belonging to the family's domains, regardless of the country in which the land was located, which is why comparable memorials survive in other former Liechtenstein territories as well.

What does the monument look like?

The larger of the two stones carries an inscription in the form of a chronogram: specific letters that, read as Roman numerals and added together, spell out the year 1898, the date the memorial was raised. Ten years later, in 1908, when Prince Johann II marked his fiftieth year on the throne, a second and smaller stone was placed beside the first. It bears a Latin inscription referring to that later jubilee. The two stones now stand side by side, forming a modest but meaningful memorial group.

Trees were originally planted as part of the monument, chosen to symbolize the prince's life and reign. In total, fifty-eight trees went into the ground: eighteen red oaks representing Johann's age when he came to the throne, and twenty pedunculate oaks together with twenty sessile oaks representing his forty years of rule at that point. This living, symbolic forest was meant to grow alongside the memory of the ruler, though today it is no longer possible to identify every individual planting from that period with certainty.

Who was Prince Johann II?

Johann II of Liechtenstein is remembered in regional sources as the "good prince", a ruler who left a positive impression on the people living across his estates. His unusually long reign coincided with a period of significant economic and social development in Central Europe, and the care given to forestry on his lands was one visible expression of that stewardship. Memorials like the one in the Říčka valley were not commissioned from above but built by the foresters themselves, at their own initiative and expense, a detail that speaks to the genuine respect they held for their employer.

What is the surrounding area like?

The Říčka valley, where the memorial stands, is a scenic stretch of forest and meadow north of Brno, popular with hikers and cyclists alike. The path running along the valley floor crosses what was once a protected nature park, and the Pod Lhotkami crossroads is one of the main landmarks along the route. Modest in size, the memorial nonetheless offers an interesting stop for visitors curious about the region's history and the old customs surrounding the commemoration of ruling families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the memorial located? On a hillside above the path through the Říčka valley, near the Pod Lhotkami crossroads, close to the village of Hostěnice.

When was it built? The larger stone was raised in 1898, with a smaller one added in 1908.

Who does it commemorate? Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein, marking the 40th and 50th anniversaries of his reign.

Is there anything else to see nearby? Yes, the Říčka valley offers hiking and cycling trails through forest and meadow, popular with visitors from the Brno area.