Memorial of Karel Havlíček Borovský in Kutná Hora

The Memorial of Karel Havlíček Borovský in Kutná Hora is a 19th-century monument dedicated to one of the leading figures of the Czech National Revival, remembered above all as a symbol of resistance against Habsburg censorship. It stands on Havlíčkovo náměstí, right in front of the Italian Court (Vlašský dvůr), and was the very first statue of this writer ever erected in the Czech lands.

Who was Karel Havlíček Borovský and what was his connection to Kutná Hora?

Karel Havlíček Borovský was a Czech journalist, writer and politician, regarded as one of the central figures of the 19th-century Czech National Revival. His link to Kutná Hora dates to the turn of 1850 and 1851, when he published the magazine "Slovan" here — a periodical openly critical of the Viennese court's policies. It was in Kutná Hora, on 12 November 1851, that Havlíček won a well-known court case, being acquitted of charges connected to publishing articles directed against the absolutist government. This victory became one of the main reasons the town later chose to honor him with a monument of its own.

When was the monument unveiled and who created it?

The memorial was unveiled on 26 August 1883. It was designed by sculptor Josef Strachovský (1850–1913), with architect Antonín Wiehl collaborating on the overall composition. The initiative to build the monument came from a local association of Kutná Hora residents, for whom the memory of Havlíček's trial and stay in the town was an important part of local identity.

Where exactly does the monument stand?

The memorial stands on Havlíčkovo náměstí in Kutná Hora, directly in front of the Italian Court (Vlašský dvůr) — the former royal mint and one of the town's most important historic buildings. The location is no coincidence: it sits right in the heart of historic Kutná Hora, close to the town's other major sights.

What does the monument look like?

At the center of the composition stands the figure of Havlíček, dressed in period costume and a long cloak, gazing upward to the right with his right hand raised in the same direction — a gesture associated with determination and a defiant stance. This way of portraying the writer recurs in other Czech monuments dedicated to him, making the Kutná Hora memorial part of a broader tradition of commemorating Havlíček in public sculpture.

What is the monument's protected status?

The Memorial of Karel Havlíček Borovský in Kutná Hora has been listed as a cultural monument since 22 December 1964, confirming its standing as one of the more significant elements of the town's public space.

Are there similar monuments elsewhere?

Yes. The Kutná Hora memorial was the first monument to Havlíček in the Czech lands, and it was followed by further replicas and variants — among others in Prague, in Havlíčkova Borová (the writer's birthplace), and in Chicago, home to a large Czech diaspora. An altered version of his likeness also appeared in Vysoké nad Jizerou.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Karel Havlíček Borovský? A Czech journalist, writer and politician of the National Revival era, best known for his criticism of Habsburg policy.

Why does the monument stand specifically in Kutná Hora? Because it was here, in 1850–51, that he published the magazine "Slovan," and on 12 November 1851 he won a court case over anti-absolutist writings.

When was the monument unveiled? On 26 August 1883.

Who created the monument? Sculptor Josef Strachovský, working with architect Antonín Wiehl.

Where exactly does the monument stand? On Havlíčkovo náměstí, in front of the Italian Court (Vlašský dvůr), in the center of Kutná Hora.

Is this the only monument to Havlíček in the Czech Republic? No — but it was the first one, and it served as the model for later replicas, including those in Prague and Havlíčkova Borová.