About this place
The Partisan Memorial in Cikháj stands on Fryšavský kopec (Fryšava Hill), east of the village of Cikháj in the Žďár nad Sázavou district of the Vysočina region in the Czech Republic. It marks the site of a wartime partisan command post that operated in the forests of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands during the Second World War.
What does the memorial commemorate?
The monument honors the partisan brigade "Mistr Jan Hus" and the allied units "Zarevo," "Vpřed," "Jan Kozina," and "Kirov," all of which were active in the region during the German occupation. Fryšavský kopec was specifically chosen because it was the real location of the Mistr Jan Hus brigade's command staff, the base from which resistance operations in this part of the highlands were coordinated. Later, the Kirov unit used the same wooded slope to build a dugout and bunker, taking advantage of the dense forest cover.
When was the memorial unveiled and what is it made of?
The memorial was unveiled on 8 May 1975, marking the thirtieth anniversary of the liberation of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Army. It takes the form of a single large stone weighing 24 tonnes, transported to the site from forests near the village of Křižánky. Choosing a raw natural boulder rather than a sculpted monument reflects the rugged, forested character of the terrain where the partisans actually operated.
What inscriptions and symbols appear on it?
The stone bears the emblem of the Mistr Jan Hus partisan staff: a five-pointed star paired with a chalice, a symbol drawn from the region's Hussite tradition that gave the brigade its name. Beneath the emblem runs the inscription "Partyzán Husita 1938–1945," referencing the years of occupation and war during which the resistance movement was active across the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands.
Why was this exact spot chosen?
Fryšavský kopec is not a symbolic location picked for convenience — it is the actual site of wartime partisan activity. The presence of the brigade's command staff and the later Kirov dugout gives the place direct historical weight rather than purely commemorative value, which sets it apart from memorials erected at more accessible but historically unconnected locations.
How do you get there?
The memorial sits in forest east of Cikháj, within the Žďárské vrchy hill range, close to the peak of Žákova hora. The area is popular with hikers exploring the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, where trails also connect to other sites tied to the local resistance movement. Visitors typically reach the memorial on foot, as part of a longer walking route through the surrounding hills and forest.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the Partisan Memorial in Cikháj located?
On Fryšavský kopec, east of the village of Cikháj, in the Žďár nad Sázavou district of the Vysočina region, near the peak of Žákova hora.
When was the memorial unveiled?
On 8 May 1975, to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the liberation of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Army.
Which partisan brigade is the memorial dedicated to?
The "Mistr Jan Hus" brigade, together with the allied units "Zarevo," "Vpřed," "Jan Kozina," and "Kirov."
What is the memorial made of?
A single 24-tonne stone brought from forests near the village of Křižánky.
What is written on the memorial?
The inscription "Partyzán Husita 1938–1945," alongside an emblem showing a five-pointed star and a chalice.
Does the site have a direct historical connection to the partisans?
Yes — the location once held the Mistr Jan Hus brigade's command staff, and later a dugout and bunker used by the Kirov unit.
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