New York firefighters memorial in Malá Strana

The New York Firefighters Memorial is a stone monument standing on Kampa island in Prague, on the street Na Kampě, right next to Charles Bridge. It was unveiled in 2010 on the initiative of Prague's volunteer firefighters and honors the 343 firefighters and rescuers from nearly two hundred New York City fire units who died on September 11, 2001, during the attack on the World Trade Center.

How was the memorial created, and who paid for it?

The monument was unveiled on the ninth anniversary of the attacks, on September 11, 2010. It was funded by the volunteer fire brigade of Prague 1 (Sbor dobrovolných hasičů Prahy 1), which collected the money among its own members. The gesture was meant to honor the professionalism and courage of the New York firefighters who rushed into the burning towers of the World Trade Center to save people trapped inside, many of them paying with their lives. A year after the unveiling, in 2011, a firefighter's helmet was added to the stone monument, and it has remained a distinctive part of the memorial ever since.

Where exactly does the memorial stand?

The memorial stands on Kampa, a small island on the Vltava sometimes called "Prague's Venice," at Na Kampě 7, only a few dozen meters from Charles Bridge. It sits along one of the busiest walking routes between Malá Strana and the riverside, so it is passed daily by many visitors heading toward the bridge or into Kampa park — though its modest form means some passers-by don't stop to read whom it commemorates.

Who exactly is being remembered here?

The memorial is dedicated to the 343 firefighters and rescue workers of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) who died on September 11, 2001, while trying to evacuate people from the burning towers of the World Trade Center. It remains one of the single largest losses of life in the history of American emergency services — a death toll among firefighters in one day that had no precedent. Placing such a memorial in Prague, thousands of kilometers from New York, was a grassroots initiative — an expression of solidarity from the local firefighting community with their counterparts across the ocean.

Are any ceremonies held at the memorial?

Yes. Every year on September 11, a commemorative ceremony (pietní vzpomínka) is held at the memorial on Kampa. It is attended by residents of Prague 1, representatives of the US embassy, and Prague's volunteer firefighters, and the event has become a fixed part of the city's calendar for marking the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. In later years, guests from New York — including firefighters visiting Prague around the anniversary — have also joined the organizers.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the New York firefighters memorial in Prague located? On Kampa island, at Na Kampě 7, right next to Charles Bridge.

When was the memorial unveiled? On September 11, 2010, the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Who funded the memorial's construction? Volunteer firefighters of Prague 1, who raised the money among their own members.

Who does the memorial commemorate? The 343 firefighters and rescuers of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) who died during the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Are any ceremonies held there? Yes, every September 11 a commemorative ceremony takes place there, attended by Prague 1 residents and representatives of the US embassy.