Statue of Bedřich Smetana in Litomyšl

The Statue of Bedřich Smetana stands at the lower end of Smetanovo náměstí (Smetana Square) in Litomyšl, the composer's birthplace. The bronze figure, 1.7 metres tall, shows a standing man in a gentle contrapposto pose, his left hand resting on his hip and a musical score held in his right. It is one of the oldest and most recognisable monuments in town, placed right at the heart of the square that bears the composer's name.

Who created the monument, and how did it end up on Smetanovo náměstí?

The sculpture was made by Jan Štursa, one of the leading Czech sculptors of the early twentieth century. The architectural design of the monument as a whole — how the figure sits on its pedestal and relates to the surrounding square — was worked out by Pavel Janák, an architect associated with Czech Cubism and, later, functionalism. Pairing a sculptor with an architect on a single commission was typical for major public monuments of the period: the figure was meant not just to depict a person, but to sit convincingly within its urban setting.

When was the statue unveiled, and why then?

The monument was unveiled on 22 June 1924. The date was not accidental: 1924 marked the hundredth anniversary of Bedřich Smetana's birth in Litomyšl in 1824. The town chose to mark the anniversary with a lasting monument in the very place tied to the composer since childhood, and in doing so gave the central square its present name — Smetanovo náměstí.

What exactly does the sculpture show?

Rather than the stiff, ceremonial poses common in nineteenth-century monuments to famous figures, Štursa captured Smetana in a moment of quiet concentration — standing at ease, score in hand, as though caught mid-thought during or just after composing. That choice sets the statue apart from the era's more formal commemorative sculpture: the composer appears in an almost everyday posture, holding the sheet music that represents his life's work.

Why is this spot worth a stop while visiting Litomyšl?

Smetanovo náměstí is one of the town's most striking squares, lined with arcaded Renaissance and Baroque townhouses. The statue stands at its lower end, so a walk from Litomyšl Chateau toward the square naturally brings visitors past it. For anyone following the trail of sites connected to the composer — including the family's former home at the chateau brewery — the statue is a logical stop, tying Smetana's memory directly to the public space named after him.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the statue of Bedřich Smetana located? At the lower end of Smetanovo náměstí in Litomyšl (in the Litomyšl-Město part of town).

Who made the monument? The sculpture is the work of Jan Štursa; the architectural design of its setting was created by Pavel Janák.

When was the statue unveiled? On 22 June 1924, the hundredth anniversary of the composer's birth.

What is the statue made of, and how tall is it? It is bronze and stands 1.7 metres tall.

What does the sculpture depict? A standing figure of Bedřich Smetana in a relaxed pose, holding a musical score in his right hand.

Why was the monument placed in Litomyšl specifically? Because it is the composer's birthplace — Smetana was born there, and the square where the statue stands is now named after him.