- CountryCzech Republic
- Town:Prague
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Year of creation:1950
- Rider(s):Zizka, Jan
(1360-1424) fought in the Battle of Grunwald in 1410. The first Reformation began in Bohemia and culminated in the burning of Jan Hus as a heretic. Jan Zizka became the leader of the Hussite army consisting of farmers and peasants. Being a pragmatist in developing his military strategy, he nevertheless gained the victory over Crusaders sent to destroy the Hussites’ movement.
- Sculptor(s):Kafka, Bohumil
(1878 – 1942 in Prague) was a Czech sculptor and pedagogue. He studied in Prague with sculptor Josef Václav Myslbek before moving to Vienna and then Paris to continue his studies. He worked in London, Berlin and Rome before returning and settling in Prague. He frequently worked in an Expressive symbolist style, was a noted animalier as well as being known for his decorative sculpture. He was considered a predecessor to the Art Nouveau style and was highly influenced by the works of Auguste Rodin.
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This huge equestrian statue on Vitkov Hill in Prague, where the decisive battle took place, commemorates the victory. Together with its pedestal, the statue measures 22 metres in height. It is said that during World War II the Germans searched for the pre-war model of the statue in order to destroy it. The model was cut into pieces and hidden in many different places. After the war, the pieces were put together and the statue was cast.
