About this place
The Václav Budovec monument stands on Týnská street in Prague's Old Town, right behind the Church of Our Lady before Týn, marking one of the most dramatic chapters of Czech history — the execution of 27 leaders of the Bohemian Revolt in 1621.
Where exactly is the monument located?
The memorial is mounted on the facade of house number 627, at Týnská 7, immediately next to the rear of the Church of Our Lady before Týn. Since 1617, this house had belonged to Anna Budovcová, wife of Václav Budovec z Budova — it was this direct family connection to the building that led to him being commemorated here rather than at the Old Town Square itself, where the execution actually took place.
What does the monument show?
The facade holds a statue of Václav Budovec placed above a memorial plaque. The plaque carries a short account of his life along with a quotation from his own words, and the whole composition is completed by the Budovec family coat of arms. The sculpture and plaque were created by Antonín Bílka, brother of the better-known Czech sculptor František Bílek. The work dates from 1927, commissioned by the house's owners at the time, who wanted to honor the memory of a former resident and the tragic circumstances of his death.
Who was Václav Budovec z Budova?
Václav Budovec z Budova (1551–1621) was a Czech nobleman, politician and writer, one of the leading figures of the Bohemian Estates' opposition before the Battle of White Mountain. After the revolt's defeat in November 1620, he was among the leaders sentenced to death by the Habsburg authorities, made an example for the rest of the Bohemian nobility and burghers.
When and how did the execution take place?
The execution took place on 21 June 1621 at the Old Town Square in Prague — a date that remains one of the most symbolic moments in modern Czech history. Václav Budovec was executed second, immediately after Joachim Andreas Šlik. In total, 27 representatives of Bohemian nobility and burghers who had taken part in the Estates' revolt against the Habsburgs lost their lives that day.
Why is this spot worth seeing?
The monument on Týnská is a quiet, easy-to-miss memorial — none of the crowds gathered a few dozen meters away at the Old Town Square and the Týn Church, even though it sits just around the corner from both. For visitors interested in the Bohemian Reformation and the pre-White Mountain period, it makes a natural complement to a visit to the square itself, where 27 white crosses set into the cobblestones still mark the exact site of the execution.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Václav Budovec monument stand? On the facade of house number 627 at Týnská 7 in Prague's Old Town, directly behind the Church of Our Lady before Týn.
Who designed the monument? The statue and plaque were made by Antonín Bílka, brother of sculptor František Bílek, in 1927.
Why was the monument placed at this particular spot? The house at Týnská 7 had belonged since 1617 to Anna Budovcová, Václav Budovec's wife — this direct family link to the building determined the location.
Who was Václav Budovec z Budova? A Czech nobleman, politician and writer, one of the 27 leaders of the Bohemian Revolt executed at the Old Town Square on 21 June 1621 following the defeat at the Battle of White Mountain.
Can the monument be viewed for free? Yes, it is on the exterior facade of the building and can be viewed from the street at any time, free of charge.
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