Mausoleum of Milan Rastislav Štefánik

The Mausoleum of Milan Rastislav Štefánik is a white travertine tomb on Bradlo Hill in the Myjava district, built on a two-tiered platform measuring 93 by 62 meters. Four obelisks, each 12 meters tall, surround a central sarcophagus and form a geometric layout that stands out against the surrounding meadows and forests.

Architect Dušan Jurkovič designed the structure, completed in 1928, to commemorate General Milan Rastislav Štefánik, an officer and diplomat who died in a plane crash near Bratislava in 1919. His death occurred only months after the end of World War I and the founding of Czechoslovakia.

The travertine comes from Spišská Teplica and was shaped using centuries-old stonecutting methods still practiced in Slovakia today. Visitors often see wreaths and Slovak flags placed near the sarcophagus, a sign that many people come here to remember a man who fought for his country's independence.

The structure stands in an open meadow and is accessible every day, with signs explaining the life and achievements of the general. Parking is available at the base of the hill, from where a path leads up that is easy to walk when the weather is dry.

Positioned at 543 meters (1,781 feet) above sea level, the site offers sweeping views across the Myjavská pahorkatina hills to the Little Carpathians on clear days. The travertine shifts in color throughout the day, ranging from warm beige to pale gray as the light changes.

Location: Brezová pod Bradlom

Creator: Dušan Jurkovič

Architectural style: Art Deco

Made from material: travertine

GPS coordinates: 48.67938,17.56373

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:44