Památník svobody

Památník svobody (Freedom Memorial) is a monument in the Chodov neighborhood of Prague 11, standing right next to the medieval Chodovská tvrz fortress. Unveiled in 2010, it commemorates the founding of independent Czechoslovakia and honors those who fought and died for it during both world wars and in the post-war resistance against the communist regime.

Where is the memorial and how do you get there?

The monument sits in a park setting beside Chodovská tvrz, a former Gothic fortress located within the Jižní Město housing estate in Prague 11. This is the south-eastern part of Prague, away from the historic center but well connected by metro line C (Chodov station). Its position next to the historic fortress means the memorial forms part of a genuinely old corner of the district, rather than standing in an arbitrary location.

Who created the memorial and when was it unveiled?

The monument was created by sculptor Josef Vajce, and the official unveiling took place on Wednesday, 29 September 2010. The project was initiated by an association of legionary tradition bearers — a group carrying on the legacy of the Czechoslovak legions who fought for the country's independence during the First World War. The total cost of the memorial reached 1.2 million Czech crowns; the City of Prague contributed 800,000, while the remainder was covered by the Prague 11 district.

What does the memorial look like, and what does it symbolize?

The composition consists of three blocks of white-grey marble, each representing a different century. The right-hand block, with smoother edges, refers to the 19th century as a time of disappointment but also hope. The left-hand element, marked by rough, jagged edges, symbolizes the 20th century, scarred by world wars yet also defined by the struggle for democracy and freedom. The central form represents the 21st century as a period of new hope for humanity as a whole. A sphere crowns the composition, visually tying the three parts together into a single work. Hidden inside the memorial's base is a time capsule intended for future generations.

What historical events does the memorial commemorate?

Památník svobody primarily refers to the founding of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918 and to the military effort of the Czechoslovak legionaries who contributed to that outcome. At the same time, the memorial carries a broader meaning — it honors the victims of both world wars and participants of the so-called third resistance, the post-war opposition to communist rule in Czechoslovakia. The three-part form, spanning consecutive centuries, underlines the continuity of the struggle for freedom across more than a hundred years.

Why is it worth stopping here?

This is not a conventional tourist attraction with visitor infrastructure, but it is a notable stop for anyone interested in 20th-century Czech history and memorial architecture. Its location next to Chodovská tvrz makes it easy to combine a short visit to the monument with a look at the fortress itself and a walk through the surrounding park, well away from the crowds of central Prague.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Památník svobody located? Next to Chodovská tvrz, in a park within the Jižní Město housing estate, in Prague 11, close to the Chodov metro station.

When was the memorial unveiled? On 29 September 2010.

Who designed the memorial? Sculptor Josef Vajce, commissioned by an association preserving the traditions of the Czechoslovak legionaries.

What do the three blocks of the memorial represent? The 19th, 20th and 21st centuries — from disappointment and hope, through world wars and the fight for freedom, to hope for humanity's future.

Is anything hidden inside the memorial? Yes, its base contains a time capsule intended for future generations.