Monument of the victims of Český Malín

Monument of the Victims of Český Malín in Žatec — what to know

The Monument of the Victims of Český Malín stands in front of the municipal cemetery in Žatec, marking one of the most tragic crimes committed against Czech settlers during the Second World War. It is a modest, quiet memorial that visitors could easily overlook, yet it carries an unusually moving story linking the Žatec region to a distant village in what is now Ukraine.

What history lies behind the monument?

Český Malín was a village in Volhynia, founded in the 19th century by Czech settlers, many of whom came from the areas around Žatec, Rakovník, and Louny. The land for the settlement was purchased in 1871 from a Polish landowner, and the plots were then sold to Czech families seeking a new life in the east. Over time, Český Malín grew into one of the best-known Czech colonies in Volhynia — a community that for decades kept alive the language and traditions of its old homeland far from its actual borders.

On July 13, 1943, German forces attacked the village and massacred its inhabitants. People were locked inside buildings that were then set on fire, leaving them no chance to escape. The atrocity claimed the lives of 374 Czech residents of Volhynia — entire families, including children and the elderly. The village itself ceased to exist, and its memory survived mainly through survivors and their descendants, who were later scattered across different parts of Czechoslovakia.

Why does the monument stand in Žatec specifically?

Many inhabitants of Český Malín originally came from the Žatec region — the place their ancestors had left in search of land in Volhynia. After the war, survivors and descendants of the victims decided to commemorate the tragedy in a place tied to the village's roots. The foundation stone for the future monument was laid on July 13, 1946, on the third anniversary of the massacre, on the initiative of Volhynian Czechs. The monument itself, however, was not completed until twelve years later, in 1958, funded by contributions collected among the settlers and their families.

What does the monument depict?

The centerpiece is a life-size sandstone sculpture of a woman fleeing flames, set on a pedestal. The work was created by sculptor František Rada. The realistic, dramatic pose of the figure is meant to convey the horror of the events of July 1943 — the helplessness and terror of people trapped inside burning buildings.

Does the monument still serve a commemorative role today?

Yes. Every year in July, a commemorative ceremony is held at the monument, bringing together descendants of the Volhynian Czechs and residents of Žatec. In recent years the site has also undergone restoration work and received new lighting, allowing the monument's symbolism to stand out even after dark.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the monument located? In front of the municipal cemetery in Žatec, in an easily accessible part of the town.

When was the monument built? The foundation stone was laid in 1946, and the monument itself was unveiled in 1958.

Who created the sculpture? Sculptor František Rada, who designed the figure of a woman fleeing flames.

How many people died in Český Malín? 374 Czech residents of the Volhynian village were murdered by German forces on July 13, 1943.

Are anniversary commemorations held in Žatec? Yes, a memorial ceremony takes place at the monument every year in July.