Memorial to Josef Mánes

The Memorial to Josef Mánes stands on the eastern edge of the village of Střítež in the Czech Beskids, right above the left bank of the Ropičanka stream. It is a modest but historically meaningful monument dedicated to one of the most important Czech painters of the 19th century, who found inspiration in this very landscape.

Who was Josef Mánes, and what is his connection to Střítež?

Josef Mánes (1820–1871) is one of the best-known figures of Czech Romantic painting. He is widely recognized as the creator of the calendar dial on Prague's Astronomical Clock (the Orloj), one of the most photographed landmarks in the Czech capital. Fewer visitors know that Mánes was also a regular traveler to the Beskid Mountains, and between 1846 and 1854 he stayed several times near Střítež, drawing on the local scenery and folk culture as sources for his work. It is precisely these visits that the memorial, built along the road connecting Frýdek-Místek with Jablunkov, was raised to commemorate.

What does the memorial look like?

The monument was created in 1955 by academic sculptor Karel Vávra. It is made of local Godula sandstone, a stone typical of the geology of the Silesian-Moravian Beskids, which ties the memorial visually to the surrounding countryside. Mounted on its front face is a bronze plaque bearing a portrait of the painter, created by another academic sculptor, Zdenek Šejnost. The plain stone form, without ornamental flourishes, echoes the rugged character of the mountain landscape rather than the urban, decorative style usually associated with Mánes through his Prague work.

Where exactly is it located?

The memorial stands at the eastern end of Střítež, along the road running from Frýdek-Místek through Střítež toward Jablunkov, on a small rise above the bank of the Ropičanka. Its coordinates are 49.676979, 18.57768. The site is easy to reach both for drivers passing along this road and for hikers on foot, requiring no difficult approach or navigation.

A trailhead for the Mánes Trail

The memorial also serves a practical purpose for hikers: it marks the starting point of a blue-marked hiking trail named after the painter, the Mánesova cesta (Mánes Trail). The route heads south, deeper into the Beskid Mountains, all the way to the Gutský sedlo (Gutský Saddle), passing through the same hills and valleys that once inspired the artist. It makes a good option for anyone wanting to combine a short stop at the memorial with a longer walk through the Beskid countryside.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Josef Mánes memorial in Střítež built? It was unveiled in 1955.

Who created the memorial? The monument was made by academic sculptor Karel Vávra, with the portrait plaque created by academic sculptor Zdenek Šejnost.

What material is the memorial made of? Local Godula sandstone, combined with a bronze portrait plaque.

What was Josef Mánes's connection to Střítež? Between 1846 and 1854, he visited this part of the Beskids several times, drawing inspiration for his paintings from the local landscape and folk life.

Does a hiking trail start at the memorial? Yes — the blue-marked Mánes Trail (Mánesova cesta), which runs south to the Gutský sedlo.

Is it worth combining with other nearby attractions? The memorial fits naturally into a hike through the Silesian-Moravian Beskids — it can serve as a starting point for a longer walk or simply a brief stop while driving the Frýdek-Místek–Jablunkov road.