památník obětí I. a II. sv. války

The Memorial to the Victims of the First and Second World Wars stands on a grassy plot at the junction of K hrádku and U Památníku streets in Božkov, a district of Pilsen (Plzeň) that falls within the Plzeň 2-Slovany administrative area. The spot lies along the road leading out of the city towards Červený Hrádek and the locality of Doubravka, away from the historic centre — making it a destination for visitors interested in local history rather than a stop on the standard sightseeing route.

What is the history behind this memorial?

The monument does not stand on an arbitrary site. The same spot once held a wooden memorial cross, already documented on a map from 1764, meaning the tradition of commemoration here goes back to the 18th century. The present stone monument was erected after the First World War on the initiative of Božkov residents, who wanted to honour their fallen neighbours and relatives. After the Second World War, a further plaque was added, extending the memorial's meaning to the victims of that later conflict as well.

What does the inscription say?

The monument bears the inscription: "1914–1918 Z Vaší bolesti a krve nechť budoucím vyrůstá mír. Obětem světové války věnují občané Božkova" (freely translated: "From your pain and blood, may peace grow for future generations. Dedicated to the victims of the world war by the citizens of Božkov"). Below it are listed the names of 38 residents of Božkov who fell between 1914 and 1918. A later plaque added the dates "1939–1945" together with 25 further names of victims of the Second World War — bringing the total number of people commemorated here to 63.

Why is the street called U Památníku?

The street running alongside the monument is named U Památníku, literally "By the Memorial" — a name it received in 1947 precisely because of its proximity to this site. It is a fairly unusual case of a street name referring directly and permanently to a local war memorial, which makes the monument easy to locate today even for visitors unfamiliar with Božkov's history.

What else is notable about the site?

Mid-20th-century records mention that a cross-shaped geoglyph — a pattern in the terrain visible from above — once accompanied the monument and was photographed in 1950. Today (as documented around 2015), only part of that original arrangement survives, though the monument itself remains intact and continues to be a recognisable landmark in Božkov. The land on which it stands belongs to the city of Pilsen.

Frequently asked questions

How many people does the Božkov memorial commemorate? A total of 63 people: 38 names of those who fell between 1914 and 1918, and 25 names of victims from 1939–1945.

Who funded the memorial? It was built on the initiative and at the expense of Božkov's residents to honour their fallen neighbours after the First World War; the plaque commemorating Second World War victims was added later.

Was there anything on this site before the monument? Yes — a wooden memorial cross once stood on the same spot, already recorded on a map dating back to 1764.

Is the memorial open to the public? Yes, it stands on a public grassy plot at a street junction; the land belongs to the city of Pilsen and access is unrestricted.

How do you get there? The memorial is located in Božkov, a district within the Plzeň 2-Slovany administrative area, on U Památníku street, on the route towards Červený Hrádek and Doubravka — best reached by public transport or car, since it lies outside Pilsen's historic centre.