Žižkův stůl

Žižkův stůl ("Žižka's Table") is a hilltop viewpoint near the village of Chlum, about 7 km north of the center of Hradec Králové and 2 km southeast of Všestary. Sitting at 311 meters above sea level, the spot takes its name from a legend tied to the Hussite military leader Jan Žižka of Trocnov.

Where exactly is Žižkův stůl?

The hill lies in the Hradec Králové region, between the villages of Všestary and Chlum – the latter best known as the site of the 1866 Battle of Königgrätz (Battle of Hradec Králové). A blue-marked hiking trail runs across the viewpoint, and cycling route no. 4270 passes nearby, making the spot a stop for both walkers and cyclists exploring the Chlum area.

Where does the name come from?

According to local tradition, Jan Žižka of Trocnov camped here with his army in 1423 (some accounts give 1422) during a campaign toward Hradec Králové, stopping at this exact spot to have a meal. That episode – the Hussite commander "dining at his table" on the hilltop – is what gave the hill its name. It's worth noting that several places in the Czech Republic are called "Žižkův stůl" (including the ruins of a fortified settlement elsewhere in the country), so it's worth double-checking that a given reference points to this hill near Chlum and Všestary rather than one of the others.

What can you see from the viewpoint?

Žižkův stůl offers wide, panoramic visibility. From here there's a direct view of the 1866 Chlum battlefield, and on a clear day the sightline extends to the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains), the Orlické hory (Eagle Mountains), and, to the south, the Železné hory (Iron Mountains). This mix of historical (the battlefield) and scenic (the mountain ranges on the horizon) views is the main reason the hill remains a stop on hiking and cycling routes through the region.

What monument stands on the hill?

A monument commemorating the Žižka legend stands at the top of the hill. It was built and funded by members of the Sokol gymnastics organization from Nechanice (Nechanický sokol), with its formal unveiling held on August 29, 1886. The monument takes the form of a tall pedestal topped with a chalice – a symbol referencing Hussite tradition, one that the wider 19th-century Sokol movement frequently invoked when building memorials at sites tied to Hussite history.

Frequently asked questions

Is Žižkův stůl the same place as the 1866 Hradec Králové battlefield? No – they are neighboring but separate sites. Žižkův stůl is a viewpoint tied to the 15th-century legend of Jan Žižka, and from it you can see the 1866 Chlum battlefield lying right next to it.

How do you get to Žižkův stůl? A blue-marked hiking trail leads to the hill, and cycling route no. 4270 runs nearby. The hill sits between Všestary and Chlum, about 7 km north of central Hradec Králové.

Who built the monument on the hill, and when? It was built by Sokol members from Nechanice and unveiled on August 29, 1886. It takes the form of a pedestal topped with a chalice, referencing Hussite tradition.