About this place
The Monument to Jan Žižka stands in České Budějovice at the intersection of Žižkova and Novohradská streets, right in front of the western facade of the former barracks named after the same military leader. It is a three-metre bronze equestrian statue depicting Jan Žižka of Trocnov, one of the most celebrated commanders of the Hussite era.
Who created the statue?
The sculpture was made by Czech artist Karel Dvořák, whose signature appears on the front of the pedestal together with the dates 1926–1940, the period during which he developed the concept and worked on the piece. The bronze casting itself was completed after his death, at a foundry in Prague's Žižkov district – a part of the city whose name is likewise tied to the Hussite leader.
Why did the statue end up in České Budějovice?
The story behind its final location is more winding than one might expect. The original plan, recommended by a postwar Prague planning commission in 1949, was to place the statue in the narrowed section of the Old Town Square, in front of the town hall. That plan never materialised. An alternative idea was to donate the statue to Tábor, a town closely associated with the Hussite movement, but this too fell through, since Tábor already had its own monument to Žižka.
The statue eventually came to České Budějovice, where it was installed in front of the town hall in 1951. It did not stay there permanently: seven years later the city council decided to move it to the intersection of Novohradská and Žižkova streets, where it was installed in the spring of 1959, in front of the former Žižka barracks. It has remained at this location ever since.
Who was Jan Žižka?
Jan Žižka of Trocnov is one of the most significant figures in Czech history – a Hussite military commander renowned for his tactical skill and determination, despite losing his sight during his military campaigns. His image on horseback, in full armour, has become a symbol of resistance and resilience in Czech iconography, which is why monuments dedicated to him can be found in several Czech towns.
What should visitors know?
The monument stands at one of the busier intersections in České Budějovice, which makes it easy to reach on foot or by public transport – several main roads leading toward the city centre and toward Novohradská converge nearby. It serves as a useful landmark for anyone exploring the eastern part of the city, beyond the compact historic centre.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the sculptor behind the Jan Žižka monument in České Budějovice? The statue was created by Karel Dvořák, whose signature and the dates 1926–1940 appear on the front of the pedestal.
Where exactly does the monument stand? At the intersection of Žižkova and Novohradská streets, in front of the western facade of the former Žižka barracks.
Has the monument always stood in the same place? No. It was first placed in front of the České Budějovice town hall in 1951, before being moved to its current location in 1959.
Why did the statue not end up in Prague or Tábor? The plan to place it on Prague's Old Town Square was never realised, and Tábor turned down the offer because it already had its own Žižka monument.
What is the monument made of? It is a bronze casting, roughly three metres tall, depicting Jan Žižka on horseback.
Nearby places
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.