National Monument in Vitkov, Monument and museum on Vitkov Hill, Prague, Czech Republic
The National Monument in Vitkov is a mausoleum and museum on Vitkov Hill in Prague's Žižkov district, a long granite building that rises above the city. Inside, a large hall with columns and galleries opens up, from which stairs lead to exhibition rooms and a viewing terrace.
Construction began in 1928 as a monument to legionaries who fought in World War I and during the founding of Czechoslovakia, and was completed in 1938. After 1948, the building served under communist rule as a mausoleum for party members, before being rededicated in the 1990s.
The site takes its name from Vitkov Hill, where Jan Žižka won a battle in 1420. Visitors today witness ceremonies on state occasions, when wreaths are laid and the government honors the founding of the republic.
The climb to the monument is made via stairs or an access road from the neighborhood, and most indoor areas are accessible to wheelchair users. Visitors should allow time to view the exhibition and enjoy the view from the terrace, while the café offers a place to rest.
In front of the entrance stands a large equestrian statue of Jan Žižka, created by Bohumil Kafka in 1950 and among the largest of its kind in Europe. The figure measures nine meters in height, and the horse alone weighs more than 16 tons.
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