Obětem Světové Války

The Memorial to the Victims of the World War in Úhonice is a stone-and-sandstone monument standing on the village green in this Czech settlement, commemorating local residents killed during both world wars of the 20th century. It belongs to a common category of Czech village war memorials, but stands out for its elaborate sculptural form and for combining the memory of two conflicts on a single pedestal.

When was the memorial built?

The monument was erected in 1926, less than a decade after the end of the First World War. It originally honored only the victims of 1914–1918, but after the Second World War it was supplemented with a plaque dedicated to further victims, this time of Nazi terror — so today the memorial commemorates both wars on one shared structure.

What does the memorial look like?

Its base is formed from stone boulders arranged together to resemble a natural rocky outcrop. Rising from this base is a slender sandstone stele. Its front face carries a high relief depicting a boy and a girl — symbolizing war orphans — with shackles and a soldier's helmet lying at their feet, attributes pointing to captivity and war. Above the figures, the sculptor placed a landscape scene showing a village church and the sun, lending the whole composition a calmer, almost consoling tone despite the difficult subject. The inscriptions are set on plaques of polished black granite, which contrast in color with the lighter sandstone of the stele.

How many names are inscribed on the memorial?

The memorial lists 31 names of Úhonice residents in total. Of these, 23 are victims from the First World War period (1914–1918), and 8 are victims from the Second World War and the Nazi terror. This clearly separated arrangement of the two groups of names lets visitors distinguish who is being honored in connection with each conflict.

What inscriptions does the memorial carry?

The memorial bears two separate verse inscriptions, each assigned to a different war. One, dedicated to the victims of the First World War, has the character of a solemn call to remember the fallen. The other, concerning the victims of the Second World War, addresses the living residents of the village directly, reminding them of the price of freedom paid by their neighbors. Both are written in the patriotic, mournful register typical of Czech war memorials from that era.

Where exactly does the memorial stand?

The monument stands right in the center of Úhonice, on the local náves — the grassy village green that traditionally serves as a gathering place and site of remembrance in Czech villages. This location makes the memorial a natural point of reference for anyone driving through or walking around the village.

What should you know before visiting?

This is a small, unassuming memorial and not a tourist attraction in the classic sense — there is no parking area, no information boards, and no visitor infrastructure. Its value lies instead in being an authentic, still-maintained site of local community memory, of a kind that survives in large numbers across the Czech countryside, though rarely on tourist trails. It's worth a short stop if you're passing through the region and have an interest in 20th-century Czech village history.

Frequently asked questions

Who does the memorial in Úhonice commemorate? Village residents killed during the First World War (1914–1918) and victims of the Second World War and Nazi terror — 31 people in total.

When was the memorial built? In 1926, originally as a monument dedicated solely to First World War victims.

What material is the memorial made of? Stone boulders forming the base, a sandstone stele, and plaques of polished black granite.

What does the sculpture on the memorial depict? A boy and a girl symbolizing war orphans, with shackles and a helmet at their feet and a landscape with a church and the sun in the background.

Where exactly is the memorial located? On the náves, the main green in the center of the village of Úhonice.