statue of Arnošt z Pardubic

The Statue of Ernest of Pardubice stands on the square that bears his name in the centre of Úvaly, a small town just east of Prague. Carved from sandstone, the monument depicts the first Archbishop of Prague at larger-than-life scale, rising 555 centimetres tall. It ranks among the oldest and most recognisable monuments in the Central Bohemian region, and for the people of Úvaly it embodies a strong local claim to a figure of national historical importance.

Why does the statue stand in Úvaly?

Úvaly has long been associated with the origins of Ernest of Pardubice. Local tradition links his birth to the Hostín manor, once located just outside the town and now part of Úvaly itself. When the 500th anniversary of his death fell in 1864, the townspeople decided to mark it with a permanent monument. A dedicated committee was formed and a nationwide fundraising campaign was launched, drawing donations from across the Czech lands over several years.

Who designed it, and what did it cost?

The statue was created by Jindřich Čapek, an academic sculptor from Prague, who designed the larger-than-life sandstone figure. The sculpture itself cost 2,100 guilders, while the full project — including the pedestal and associated works — came to 3,338 guilders and 12 kreuzers, financed almost entirely through public donations.

When was the statue unveiled?

The unveiling took place on 30 June 1869, the anniversary of Ernest of Pardubice's death in 1364. The ceremony drew an exceptionally large crowd for the era, estimated at around 8,000 people, and was attended by the then Archbishop of Prague, Bedřich Schwarzenberg, lending the occasion both civic and ecclesiastical weight.

Has the statue always stood in the same spot?

Not quite. Although it has stood on the square that now carries its name since the beginning, by the late 20th century the sandstone had suffered serious mechanical damage, become overgrown with moss, and weathered badly. In 1995 the town council decided on a full restoration combined with relocation within the square. In 1996 the monument was dismantled into 14 blocks, mechanically cleaned, and reassembled in a new position between two lime trees. Restoration continued into 1997, when missing sections were replaced with artificial stone by sculptors Jiří Kašpar and Josef Vajce together with restorer Miloš Sokol. A further conservation campaign followed in 2014.

Who was Ernest of Pardubice?

Ernest of Pardubice (1297–1364) was a pivotal figure in the history of the Church in Bohemia. In 1344 he became the first Archbishop of Prague, when the city was elevated to an independent ecclesiastical metropolis no longer subordinate to Mainz. A close advisor to Emperor and Bohemian King Charles IV, he took part in founding Charles University and played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of medieval Bohemia. He died on 30 June 1364.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the statue located? On Ernest of Pardubice Square in the centre of Úvaly, Central Bohemian Region, positioned between two lime trees.

What is the statue made of? Sandstone, carved as a larger-than-life figure standing 555 cm tall.

Why was the monument built in Úvaly specifically? Local tradition holds that Ernest of Pardubice was born at the nearby Hostín manor, now part of Úvaly.

When was the statue unveiled? On 30 June 1869, the anniversary of the archbishop's death, before a crowd of roughly 8,000 people and the then Archbishop of Prague.

Was the statue ever moved or restored? Yes — it was dismantled, restored and repositioned within the square between 1996 and 1997, with a further restoration in 2014.