Military cemetery in Česká Skalice

The military cemetery in Česká Skalice is a modest yet powerful memorial site tied to one of the bloodiest engagements of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. Tucked away on the edge of the town, in a quiet setting away from any tourist bustle, it has the solemn, contemplative atmosphere typical of a battlefield burial ground.

Why was this cemetery established?

On 28 June 1866, fighting broke out near Česká Skalice as part of the wider war between Prussia and Austria, leaving large numbers of soldiers from both sides dead on the field. The fallen were initially buried where they fell, directly on the former battleground. It wasn't until 1892 that an association dedicated to preserving graves and monuments from the 1866 battlefields — active also around Náchod and Svinišťany — purchased land from the Steidler family specifically to consolidate these burials into a proper military cemetery.

What can visitors see today?

The cemetery covers a little over 2,000 square metres and holds several dozen monuments alongside rows of typical iron and stone crosses. Its most striking feature is a large boulder bearing a memorial plaque that marks the mass grave of close to five hundred Austrian soldiers, among them a brigade general who had commanded troops in the battle. This shared grave gives the site much of its emotional weight — hundreds of individual fates gathered into a single resting place.

What is the connection to Emperor Franz Joseph I?

Later that same year, in the autumn, the Austrian emperor personally visited the site to pay tribute to the fallen. His visit underscored how significant the 1866 battle was in the collective memory of the time and helped cement the cemetery's status as an official site of remembrance.

How has the cemetery changed over the decades?

The site's story didn't end in the 19th century. In 1965, it underwent a major expansion: monuments and graves scattered across the surrounding area — in Česká Skalice itself as well as in nearby villages — were relocated here to form a more unified memorial complex. Decades later, in 2004, a further monument was added, commemorating thirteen Austrian and six Prussian soldiers whose remains were moved here after being uncovered near a local reservoir during redevelopment work.

Who maintains the cemetery today?

Since 1989, a local historical association based in Česká Skalice has been responsible for the upkeep of the cemetery, along with the remaining graves and monuments still scattered across the original battlefield. Thanks to this continuous care, the site has retained its original, austere character while remaining well maintained.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the cemetery free? Yes, the site is open to the public year-round, free of charge.

How many people are buried here? The mass grave alone holds the remains of nearly five hundred Austrian soldiers, and the wider grounds contain several dozen individual and collective monuments and graves.

Is it worth a long visit? Given its small size, a visit usually takes only around fifteen minutes, though it pairs well with exploring the surrounding area connected to the 1866 battle.

Is this a suitable stop with children? As a solemn, reflective site, it's better suited as an educational stop for older children and teenagers with an interest in history rather than a casual family outing.