Sv. Hubert

The Statue of St. Hubert is a wooden sculpture honoring the patron saint of hunters, marksmen, and foresters, tucked away in the municipal forests of Hradec Králové, right on the edge of Albrechtice nad Orlicí. It's a small, understated site that doesn't announce itself from the main paths — you have to know it's there — but for anyone interested in forest walks and local hunting traditions, it's a memorable stop.

Where does the statue stand?

The sculpture is set deep in the Hradec Králové municipal forests, just behind a forest cemetery, deliberately placed away from the main hiking route. It's reached via a red-marked trail connecting the Na Plachtě area with Albrechtice nad Orlicí. The site was designed so that visitors seeking quiet and rest wouldn't be disturbed by passing hikers — the figure stands in a secluded corner of the forest rather than right on the path itself.

What is the statue made of?

The statue is carved entirely from wood, out of an oak trunk. Its front is fitted with a hand-forged iron grille, which protects the carving while underscoring the handcrafted character of the whole piece. It's a simple, rustic form, typical of the forest shrines and votive figures that foresters and hunters have traditionally placed at sites tied to their work.

Who was St. Hubert, and why is he honored here?

St. Hubert came from a wealthy noble family in Aquitaine and spent his youth devoted mainly to hunting. According to tradition, during one hunt he encountered a stag carrying a glowing cross between its antlers and heard a voice calling him to conversion. That story made him the patron saint of hunters, marksmen, and foresters — and his cult remains alive wherever forestry and hunting are part of daily life. The Hradec Králové municipal forest administration describes the statue as a symbol of the values that guide foresters: ongoing care for the forest and the protection of wildlife and nature.

What makes this spot notable?

According to the Hradec Králové municipal forests, this is the first and only statue of St. Hubert in the city and its immediate surroundings. That distinction has turned a modest, hidden figure into a recognizable point on the local trail map, drawing in visitors with an interest in hunting traditions and the history of local forestry.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the St. Hubert statue located? In the municipal forests of Hradec Králové, just behind a forest cemetery, along the red-marked hiking trail running from Na Plachtě to Albrechtice nad Orlicí.

What material was the statue made from? It's a wooden sculpture carved from an oak trunk, with a hand-forged iron grille protecting its front.

Who is St. Hubert? He's the patron saint of hunters, marksmen, and foresters, venerated after a legendary encounter with a stag bearing a glowing cross between its antlers.

Why is this site considered special? It's the first and only known statue of St. Hubert in Hradec Králové and its surroundings.

Is it easy to find? The statue stands deliberately off the main trail, in a quiet forest corner behind the cemetery — plan for a short detour from the marked route to reach it.