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National Monument at Vítkov
Did you know there's a statue up here that's SO heavy, it weighs as much as THREE HUNDRED elephants all standing on top of each other? That's the giant horseman statue of Jan Žižka you're looking at - the biggest bronze statue in the whole WORLD! This concrete fortress wasn't always here - way back in 1420, farmers with pitchforks beat an entire army of knights right on this hilltop... can you imagine? Now look for the secret zigzag path that leads to a hidden tomb where a mummy in a glass box has been waiting since 1953! Count how many steps it takes you to reach the top - I bet it's more than 200!
Did You Know?
- The National Monument at Vítkov is home to the third largest bronze equestrian statue in the world—a towering, 9-meter-high sculpture of Jan Žižka, the legendary one-eyed Hussite general who led Czech forces to a pivotal victory against Catholic crusaders in the Battle of Vítkov Hill in 1420, making the site a symbol of Czech resilience and independence for over 600 years.
- During the Communist era, the monument served as a mausoleum for Klement Gottwald, Czechoslovakia’s first Communist president—his embalmed body was displayed here from 1953 until 1962, when it had to be cremated due to preservation issues, turning the monument into a unique (and somewhat eerie) chapter of 20th-century political history.
- Beyond its dramatic history, the monument offers one of Prague’s best panoramic views, with a rooftop terrace and café where visitors can enjoy sweeping vistas of the city—a perfect spot for families to relax after exploring the interactive exhibitions on Czech and Czechoslovak statehood, which include artifacts, multimedia displays, and even the grave of an unknown soldier.