Statue of Mikuláš Karlach

The Statue of Mikuláš Karlach is a modest yet meaningful monument at Vyšehrad in Prague, honouring the provost whose work at the turn of the 20th century shaped much of the site as visitors see it today.

Who was Mikuláš Karlach?

Mikuláš Karlach (5 December 1831 – 5 November 1911) was a clergyman of the Vyšehrad Chapter, serving as canon from 1871 and as provost from 1902. Under his leadership, the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul underwent its neo-Gothic reconstruction, the Vyšehrad Cemetery was expanded, and Slavín — the collective tomb for distinguished Czech artists and scholars — was built. Karlach also initiated turning the former farmland between the cemetery and the estate building into a park, known today as Karlachovy sady (Karlach Gardens).

Where does the statue stand, and what does it look like?

The statue is located in Karlachovy sady, the park at Vyšehrad created on Karlach's own initiative and named after him. It is carved from sandstone quarried at Božanov, and its author is sculptor Pavel Malovaný.

When was the statue unveiled?

The monument was ceremonially unveiled on 29 June 2003, as part of celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the completion of the basilica's neo-Gothic reconstruction — the very project Karlach had initiated and overseen during his lifetime.

Why pair the statue with a visit to Vyšehrad?

Vyšehrad is a historic fort in Prague, on the east bank of the Vltava River, just over 3 km southeast of Prague Castle. Likely founded in the 10th century, it still preserves the layout of an old stronghold. Within its grounds stand the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, the Vyšehrad Cemetery — the resting place of many notable Czechs, including Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, Karel Čapek, and Alphonse Mucha — and Prague's oldest rotunda, the 11th-century Rotunda of St Martin. Tucked among the trees of Karlachovy sady, the Karlach statue is a natural stop for anyone walking between the basilica and the cemetery.

What should you know before visiting?

The statue stands in a publicly accessible part of Vyšehrad, so it can be seen free of charge, unlike the interior of the basilica or some of the fort's other exhibitions. A walk through Karlachovy sady pairs well with a visit to the cemetery and the surviving fortifications, which offer views over the Vltava.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Mikuláš Karlach? A Catholic clergyman who served as canon from 1871 and provost of the Vyšehrad Chapter from 1902, and who initiated the basilica's reconstruction, the cemetery's expansion, and the building of Slavín.

Who created the statue? Sculptor Pavel Malovaný, working in Božanov sandstone.

When was the statue unveiled? On 29 June 2003, during celebrations of the centenary of the basilica's neo-Gothic reconstruction.

Where exactly does the statue stand? In Karlachovy sady, a park at Vyšehrad established on Karlach's own initiative.

Is there an entrance fee to see the statue? No, it stands in a freely accessible part of Vyšehrad.