Sestry Klenkovy, Historic tombstone at Olšany Cemetery, Prague, Czech Republic
Sestry Klenkovy is a pale grey stone tomb slab at Olšany Cemetery, carved in relief with two recumbent child figures side by side in long draped garments, their hands resting near their waists; the slab's left side carries a fringe with a hanging tassel. The figures are shown without lower legs. Visitors place flowers, fruit and small toys on the slab.
The slab was originally placed in Old Olšany Cemetery I, which was dissolved in 1860; it was then transferred to its present spot in the Olšany Cemeteries. According to a Žižkov legend, two girls died in 1806 after a farm cart ran over their legs on a little-used street. The story made the slab famous in the 19th century, and it was saved during the cemetery's dissolution.
The names Františka and Antonie come from a wall plaque near the tombstone's original site, though that plaque likely belongs to other Klenka sisters. The story was already well known in the 19th century, and visitors still bring flowers to the girls, whose bodies are not buried here. Prague 3 maintains the slab through the "Adoption of Significant Graves" project.
The slab lies inside Olšany Cemetery, while the stone inscription plate of the real Klenkovy sisters is set in the outer side of the cemetery wall near the Church of St. Roch on Olšanské náměstí. The two spots are a short distance apart, one inside the grounds and one outside. The tombstone is cared for by Prague 3 under the "Adoption of Significant Graves" project.
The names Františka and Antonie come from a stone inscription plate on the outer cemetery wall near St. Roch's Church, not from the tombstone itself. The plate probably belongs to the real Klenkovy sisters, while the slab with the two child figures is a different memorial.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,909 contributors worldwide.