Monument to Jan Svatopluk Presl

The Monument to Jan Svatopluk Presl stands in Vrchlického Gardens in Prague, right next to the National Museum and the city's Main Railway Station. This small Art Nouveau monument honors a Czech naturalist whose work left a lasting mark on Prague's scientific institutions.

Where exactly is the monument located?

The monument sits within Vrchlického Gardens (Vrchlického sady), a stretch of greenery between the National Museum building and Prague's Main Railway Station. The placement is deliberate — the man being honored here helped bring the National Museum itself into existence.

Who is the monument dedicated to?

It commemorates Jan Svatopluk Presl, a Czech naturalist and botanist who was among the founders of the National Museum in Prague. An inscription plate beneath the main relief records his contribution to Czech science.

What does the monument look like?

The composition is built around a granite slab set on a multi-tiered base. Recessed into the slab is a bronze relief showing a seated allegorical female figure lost in thought, leaning against a tree trunk. An owl perches on a branch above her — a traditional symbol of wisdom and learning — while an unfurled scroll appears in the upper part of the scene. The whole relief is rendered in flowing, organic Art Nouveau lines, with plant motifs framing the composition.

What artistic style does it represent?

The relief and its surrounding decoration are a clear example of Art Nouveau public sculpture from the early 20th century, a style that dominated Prague's architecture and monument design at the time.

Who created the monument?

The monument was designed by sculptor Bohumil Kafka together with architect Josef Gočár, both leading figures of Czech Art Nouveau and early modernism.

What is the monument's history?

It was formally unveiled on 1 July 1910. For decades it occupied a more prominent spot within the gardens, but the construction of the metro and the new Main Railway Station building reshaped the surrounding area. As a result, the monument ended up in a less visible, out-of-the-way corner of the gardens. It underwent restoration in 2012, and the Prague City Gallery has at times considered relocating it to a more visible spot to restore its former prominence.

Is it worth a visit?

The monument is not among Prague's headline attractions, but for anyone already exploring the area around the National Museum and Wenceslas Square, it is an easy stop to add to a walking route — particularly rewarding for visitors interested in Art Nouveau public sculpture and the history of Czech science.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jan Svatopluk Presl? A Czech naturalist and botanist, one of the founders of the National Museum in Prague.

When was the monument unveiled? On 1 July 1910.

Who designed it? Sculptor Bohumil Kafka, working with architect Josef Gočár.

What materials was it made from? Granite for the multi-tiered base and slab, bronze for the relief.

Where exactly can it be found? In Vrchlického Gardens in Prague, between the National Museum and the Main Railway Station.

Has the monument ever been restored? Yes, it was restored in 2012.