Monument of Jan Žižka of Trocnov

The Monument of Jan Žižka of Trocnov is a stone monument standing on Žižkovo náměstí, the main square of the historic town of Tábor in South Bohemia, dedicated to the most famous Hussite military commander. Žižka is inseparably tied to this town — Tábor was founded as a fortified settlement of the most radical Hussite faction, and its inhabitants, led by Žižka, won a string of victories over crusader armies in the 15th century. The monument on the main square is today one of the town's symbols and a natural landmark for anyone exploring Tábor's historic center.

What is the history behind the monument?

The idea of erecting a monument came from a local civic committee back in the 1870s. The first statue, cast in bronze by the then-young sculptor Josef Václav Myslbek, was unveiled in 1877. Due to a flaw in the material, the figure did not survive long in that form and was removed from its pedestal only a few years later — fragments of it later ended up in the museum collection housed in the old town hall. In 1884, a new sandstone sculpture of Žižka, created by Josef Strachovský, was placed on the same pedestal, and it is this version that stands there today.

What is depicted on the pedestal?

The pedestal carries an inscription whose wording involved František Palacký, the historian and leading 19th-century authority on the Hussite era. The base also marks the locations of the battles in which Žižka's forces were victorious, so the monument combines an artistic function with the role of a historical marker commemorating the military successes of the Hussite commander.

Why did Tábor build this particular monument?

Tábor was founded in 1420 by the most radical branch of the Hussite movement, who named their new town after the biblical Mount Tabor. Jan Žižka commanded the Táborite forces and was linked to the town from its very beginnings. Raising the monument in the second half of the 19th century fit into the broader movement of the Czech National Revival, when Tábor's Hussite past and the figure of Žižka became an important part of building local and national identity.

Where exactly is it located?

The monument stands on Žižkovo náměstí, Tábor's main square, surrounded by historic burgher houses and the town hall. It marks the central point of the old town, reached via the narrow, winding streets typical of Tábor's medieval urban layout. The site is freely accessible year-round and serves as a natural stop on any walk through the historic center.

How should you visit the monument and its surroundings?

The square with the monument is best explored on foot, as part of a walk through Tábor's old town — nearby stand burgher houses, the town hall, and entrances to the underground passages beneath the town. It's worth pausing at the pedestal to read the information about the Hussite battles before continuing toward the nearby streets leading to the town's fortifications and viewpoints over the Lužnice River.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jan Žižka of Trocnov? He was a Hussite military leader who commanded the Táborite forces and is remembered for a series of 15th-century military victories, making him one of the most important figures in Czech military history.

When was the current monument created? The present sandstone sculpture by Josef Strachovský was placed on the pedestal in 1884, replacing an earlier bronze statue from 1877.

Why was the first statue replaced? The 1877 bronze figure by Josef Václav Myslbek suffered from a material defect and had to be removed from its pedestal only a few years after being unveiled.

Where exactly does the monument stand? On Žižkovo náměstí, the main square of Tábor's historic center, surrounded by historic burgher architecture.

Is there an entrance fee for the square or the monument? No, the square and the monument are freely accessible year-round, with no admission fee.