Statue of Josef Kajetán Tyl in Plzeň

The statue of Josef Kajetán Tyl stands in Smetanovy sady, the ring park that wraps around the historic centre of Plzeň. It's a realistic bronze figure honouring one of the leading Czech writers and playwrights of the 19th century — the man whose stage lyrics later became the Czech national anthem.

Where exactly is the statue?

The statue sits in Smetanovy sady, one of several linked parks that form a green belt around Plzeň's old town, laid out on the ground once occupied by the city's medieval fortifications. It's a shaded, tree-lined stretch of the park favoured for a quiet stroll by locals and visitors alike. The statue's coordinates are 49.745202, 13.373498, making it straightforward to locate while planning a walk through central Plzeň.

Who was Josef Kajetán Tyl?

Josef Kajetán Tyl (1808–1856) was a Czech writer, journalist, actor and playwright, and one of the central figures of the 19th-century Czech National Revival. A song from one of his plays — later known under the title "Kde domov můj" ("Where is my home") — went on to become the national anthem of the Czech Republic. Tyl died in Plzeň in 1856, and the city has kept his memory alive in more than one way: the municipal theatre carries his name (Divadlo J. K. Tyla), and his grave marker still stands in the local cemetery. The statue in Smetanovy sady is one of several tributes to the writer scattered across the city.

What does the statue look like?

It's a standing, realistically modelled bronze figure set on a cylindrical granite pedestal. The work was created by the Czech sculptor Alois Sopr between 1982 and 1985, and formally unveiled on 14 February 1986. The overall treatment is restrained rather than monumental — no grand gesture or oversized scale, which suits the quiet character of the park around it.

Why is it worth a stop?

For anyone exploring Plzeň on foot, the statue makes a natural pause along a walk through Smetanovy sady, a route that mixes greenery with views of the surrounding old-town architecture. It's also a good reminder that the words and melody of the Czech national anthem have a very specific literary origin in 19th-century theatre, rather than being an anonymous folk tune. The park itself, as part of the green ring circling the old town, is a pleasant place to slow down under the trees, away from the traffic of the city centre.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Josef Kajetán Tyl? A Czech writer, journalist and playwright who lived from 1808 to 1856. A song from one of his plays became the Czech national anthem. He died in Plzeň.

Who made the statue and when? It was created by the sculptor Alois Sopr between 1982 and 1985 and unveiled on 14 February 1986.

Where exactly in Plzeň is the statue? In Smetanovy sady, the park ring around the historic centre, at coordinates 49.745202, 13.373498.

Is this the only monument to Tyl in Plzeň? No — the city also has his grave marker in the local cemetery and a theatre, Divadlo J. K. Tyla, named after him.

What is the statue made of? It's a bronze figure standing on a cylindrical granite pedestal.