About this place
The statue of Jan Žižka of Trocnov stands on Gothard Hill just above the town of Hořice in eastern Bohemia, Czech Republic, and is considered the world's first monument dedicated to this famous Hussite military commander. The stone figure marks the site of a battle Žižka won there in April 1423 against opposition nobility forces led by Čeněk of Vartenberk.
Who was Jan Žižka?
Jan Žižka of Trocnov (c. 1360–1424) is one of the most celebrated military commanders of medieval Europe. He led the Hussite armies during the Hussite Wars of the 15th century and, remarkably, never lost a single battle in his entire military career. He lost sight in one eye during earlier fighting and later became completely blind, yet he continued to command his forces effectively, relying on defensive formations of war wagons (the famous "wagon fort" tactic) and disciplined infantry armed with war flails and early firearms. He died in 1424, most likely of plague.
Why and when was the monument built?
The monument was unveiled in 1873, on the 450th anniversary of the battle Žižka fought on Gothard Hill. It was built on the initiative of the local Sokol organization, a Czech patriotic gymnastics movement, to honor the Hussite commander's memory on the very site of his victory. The unveiling ceremony itself turned into a large patriotic demonstration against Austro-Hungarian rule, drawing roughly five thousand participants from Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia.
Who created the statue?
The monument was designed and carved by Pavel Jiříček, a local sculptor from Hořice who was only 22 years old at the time. His brother Josef assisted him in the work. The figure was carved from local sandstone — a fitting material, since Hořice has been renowned for generations as a center of stonemasonry and sculpture. The town is home to the well-known Secondary School of Applied Arts for Sculpture and Stonemasonry (Střední uměleckoprůmyslová škola sochařská a kamenická), which has trained generations of Czech stone artists.
How is Žižka depicted?
The statue shows the commander standing proudly upright, with a band covering only one eye, and a war mace (palcát) in his hands. This is, in a sense, an idealized depiction: by the final years of his life, Žižka was completely blind in both eyes. The sculptors chose instead to portray him in full strength, as a symbol of resilience and military genius rather than as a figure defined by his disability.
Why is this monument significant?
The Gothard Hill monument is regarded as the first monument in the world dedicated specifically to Jan Žižka, predating later and more famous statues of the commander, including the massive equestrian statue on Vítkov Hill in Prague. For Hořice and the surrounding region, it remains an important marker of local identity, linking the memory of Hussite history with the town's own stonemasonry tradition.
Practical information
Gothard Hill and the monument are accessible year-round, free of charge. Free parking is available nearby, making the site easy to reach by car. Thanks to its elevated position on the hill, the area around the monument also offers views over the surrounding Podkrkonoší landscape.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the Jan Žižka statue located? On Gothard Hill, directly above the town of Hořice in eastern Bohemia, Czech Republic.
When was the monument built? In 1873, on the 450th anniversary of the battle Žižka fought at this site.
Who designed it? Local Hořice sculptor Pavel Jiříček, together with his brother Josef.
What material is the statue made of? Local sandstone, in keeping with Hořice's long stonemasonry tradition.
Is there an entrance fee? No, the site is freely accessible year-round at no cost.
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