Památník Vojna

The Vojna Memorial is a former forced labour camp near the village of Lešetice, on the boundary of Lešetice, Lazsko and the Zavržice district of Příbram, roughly 5 km southeast of the town. Today it is an authentically preserved prison camp complex functioning as a museum dedicated to the victims of communism, and it is considered unique of its kind in Central Europe.

What is the history behind the camp?

The site was built between 1947 and 1949 by German prisoners of war, who also gave it its name — Vojna, after a nearby hill. Once the German POWs left, the camp was converted between 1949 and 1951 into a forced labour camp for political prisoners of the newly installed communist regime. Inmates were sent to work in the surrounding uranium mines, which at the time were a critical source of raw material for the Soviet nuclear programme. At its peak, Vojna was the largest forced labour camp in Czechoslovakia, holding close to 2,000 prisoners at once. The site continued to operate as a prison for political opponents of the regime until 1961.

What can you see on site today?

Visitors walk through preserved dormitories, guard towers and other original structures that document both the daily routine of prisoners and the brutality of the regime that ran the camp. A permanent exhibition covers the history of communist repression and uranium mining in the region, illustrated with period photographs, personal belongings and survivor testimonies. The site also hosts the international exhibition "European Gulag," which places Vojna in the wider context of similar forced labour camps across the former Eastern Bloc. Many visitors describe the atmosphere as one of the most striking encounters with recent Czech history available anywhere in the country.

How do you get to the Vojna Memorial?

Driving is the easiest option — the site is just a few minutes from Příbram via well-marked roads, with parking right at the entrance. Alternatively, local public transport from Příbram covers the route, including buses that stop within walking distance of the memorial; travellers without a car can also combine a train to Příbram with a connecting local bus.

When should you plan your visit?

The memorial is run by the Příbram Mining Museum and opens seasonally, generally from spring through autumn, so it is worth checking current opening hours before setting out. A visit typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours, and it is worth allowing extra time to explore the outdoor parts of the complex as well. Since much of the site is outdoors, comfortable shoes are recommended, along with warmer clothing in cooler months. A trip here pairs well with a visit to the Svatá Hora pilgrimage site or the historic centre of Příbram, both just a short drive away.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Vojna Memorial located? On the boundary of the villages of Lešetice and Lazsko and the Zavržice district of Příbram, about 5 km southeast of the town.

When did the memorial open to the public? It was declared a cultural monument in January 2001 and reopened to visitors after extensive reconstruction on 18 May 2005.

What kind of work were prisoners forced to do? They were sent to work in the uranium mines surrounding Příbram.

Who manages the site today? The memorial is run by the Příbram Mining Museum, which operates the permanent exhibition along with temporary shows.