Rodné místo Jana Žižky

Jan Žižka's Birthplace is a memorial complex in the woods near the village of Trocnov, about 15 km southeast of Borovany in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. Tradition holds that this is where Jan Žižka of Trocnov, the legendary Hussite military commander, was born.

Who was Jan Žižka, and why is this spot significant?

Žižka was most likely born around 1360 into a family of minor gentry who held the manor at Trocnov. According to local legend, his mother took shelter from a thunderstorm under an old oak tree near the manor, and it was there that the future Hussite leader came into the world. The oak itself is long gone, but the spot where it supposedly stood is still marked today.

What can visitors see on site?

The site brings together two separate monuments to Žižka, along with visitor facilities built up around them.

The modest 1908 stone

The older of the two markers is a plain stone memorial, put up in 1908 by Adolf Josef Schwarzenberg, who owned the Trocnov estate at the time. It marks the exact spot where, according to tradition, Žižka was born beneath the oak.

The granite mound, 1958-1969

The second, far more imposing feature is a granite mound roughly 13 metres tall, designed by sculptor Josef Malejovský and built between 1958 and 1969. It has been listed as a National Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic in recognition of Žižka's place in national memory.

Manor remains and visitor amenities

Around both monuments lie the remains of the old manor farmstead and four fishponds. The complex also includes a forester's lodge with a playground and a restaurant, while a former monastery building in nearby Borovany houses a museum with a permanent exhibition on Žižka and the Hussite movement, opened in 2015, featuring artefacts, film material, and the chance to try on period costume. An archaeological open-air museum is also under construction on the grounds.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Jan Žižka's birthplace? In the woods near the village of Trocnov, about 15 km from Borovany in the South Bohemian Region (postal code 373 12 Borovany).

When was Jan Žižka born? Most likely around 1360, traditionally at Trocnov.

Who built the monument marking his birth? The first, modest stone was placed in 1908 by Adolf Josef Schwarzenberg, owner of the local estate. The larger granite mound was built between 1958 and 1969 to a design by sculptor Josef Malejovský.

Is there a museum nearby? Yes. A former monastery building in Borovany houses a museum with an exhibition on Žižka and the Hussite movement, open since 2015.

Are there places to eat or rest near the monument? Yes, the complex includes a forester's lodge with a restaurant and playground, and the monuments are surrounded by four fishponds.