Statue of František Palacký in Hodslavice

The Statue of František Palacký stands at the heart of Hodslavice, on a small square right in front of the house where one of the most important Czech historians of the 19th century was born. It's a modest but telling spot that ties the memory of a single man to the story of a small village on the border between Moravia and Silesia.

Who was František Palacký, and why does he have a statue here?

František Palacký (1798–1876) was born in Hodslavice, the son of Jiří Palacký, a teacher and tailor. He grew up in a house his father had built in 1796 to serve as a new Protestant school. Palacký went on to become a historian, politician and writer, carrying out most of his scholarly and public work in Prague, where he became one of the central figures of the Czech national revival. His home village never stopped being proud of him, which is why a monument dedicated specifically to him as a native of Hodslavice stands here rather than in the capital.

Where exactly does the statue stand?

The bronze figure stands in the open space between the Palacký family house and the Church of St. Andrew, right in the center of Hodslavice. The placement is deliberate: the statue, the birth house and the church together form a small memorial cluster that visitors can walk around in a matter of minutes. The birth house itself has been listed as a National Cultural Monument since 1978, underlining how important the site is considered within Czech historical memory.

When was the statue unveiled, and who made it?

The statue was ceremonially unveiled in September 1968, to mark the 170th anniversary of Palacký's birth. It was created by academic sculptor V. Navrátil, who portrayed the historian as a larger-than-life bronze figure — a scale that gives the monument gravity without overwhelming the small, intimate square it stands on.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Anyone visiting the statue should also take a look at the neighboring Palacký family house and the Church of St. Andrew, both just a few steps away; together they give a full picture of the place that produced one of the architects of modern Czech national identity. Hodslavice itself sits in a quiet, rural part of the country, so a stop at the statue pairs naturally with a walk through the rest of the village.

Frequently asked questions

Who was František Palacký? A Czech historian, politician and writer who lived from 1798 to 1876, born in Hodslavice and known mainly for his scholarly and public career in Prague.

When was the statue in Hodslavice unveiled? In September 1968, on the 170th anniversary of Palacký's birth.

Who sculpted the statue? Academic sculptor V. Navrátil.

Where exactly does the statue stand? On the square in the center of Hodslavice, between the Palacký family house and the Church of St. Andrew.

What is the statue made of? It is a bronze, larger-than-life figure.