Příhodův park

Příhodův park is a small, quiet park in Domažlice, tucked between U Nemocnice, Sadová, and Tylova streets in the Hořejší Předměstí (Upper Suburb) district. It is one of the few places in town where fragments of the medieval town fortifications still survive — the park itself was laid out on the site of the old defensive ramparts that once encircled Domažlice.

What is there to see in the park?

The centerpiece of the park is the monument to Antonín Příhoda, the oldest modern sculpture in Domažlice. It was created in 1879–80 and ceremonially unveiled in 1881. The monument is one of the early works of Josef Václav Myslbek, one of the most important Czech sculptors of the 19th century, best known for the equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas on Prague's Wenceslas Square. That makes this modest park monument an interesting stop for anyone tracing Myslbek's early career.

Antonín Příhoda (1668–1749) served as dean and vicar of Domažlice. He was known for helping the poor, particularly supporting students, and for his interest in nature and fruit-tree cultivation — an unusual combination of pursuits for local clergy at the time. The monument commemorates his charitable work.

Today the park functions as a quiet green pocket in the middle of town, ideal for a short walk, a rest under the trees, or a break from street traffic. Families are well catered for too, thanks to a children's playground on site.

One unusual feature is the poesiomat installed in the park — the first of its kind in Domažlice. It is an interactive, mechanical device: visitors turn a hand crank and it plays a recited poem or a folk song tied to the region. It's an unusual pairing of literary tradition with an interactive outdoor installation, not something you find in every small Czech town.

Why visit?

Příhodův park layers three parts of the town's history into one small space: the medieval fortifications (the park's very ground), a 19th-century sculpture by a nationally significant artist, and a modern, interactive way of sharing local culture through the poesiomat. It makes for a worthwhile short stop while exploring Domažlice, especially for visitors interested in local history or traveling with children.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Příhodův park located? The park is in Domažlice, near U Nemocnice, Sadová, and Tylova streets, in the Hořejší Předměstí district.

Who was Antonín Příhoda? He was a dean and vicar of Domažlice who lived from 1668 to 1749, known for supporting the poor and students, as well as for his interest in fruit-tree cultivation.

Who created the monument in the park? The monument, made in 1879–80 and unveiled in 1881, is an early work by Josef Václav Myslbek, one of the most important Czech sculptors.

What else is in the park besides the monument? A children's playground and a poesiomat — an interactive device that recites poems and plays folk songs when its crank is turned.

Does the park have any connection to the town's fortifications? Yes, the park was established on the site of Domažlice's former defensive walls, making it one of the few surviving fragments of the medieval town fortifications.