Jan Hus monument — Attraction in Prague

The Jan Hus Monument (Pomník Jana Husa) is a large statue in Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) in Prague, dedicated to Jan Hus, a Czech religious reformer and national hero. It was unveiled in 1915, on the 500th anniversary of Hus’s death.

Who Was Jan Hus? • A theologian, philosopher, and preacher who criticized the corruption of the Catholic Church. • Influenced by John Wycliffe, he called for church reforms and promoted services in the Czech language instead of Latin. • Excommunicated and burned at the stake for heresy in 1415 at the Council of Constance. • His followers, the Hussites, led major religious and military movements in the 15th century.

About the Monument: • Designed by Ladislav Šaloun, a self-taught sculptor. • Made of bronze, the monument features Jan Hus standing defiantly, surrounded by two groups: • His followers (Hussites), representing the resistance and national pride of the Czech people. • Exiles, symbolizing those who suffered after Hus’s execution. • An inscription at the base reads: “Love each other and wish the truth to everyone”, reflecting Hus’s teachings.

Symbolism & Importance: • A national symbol of Czech identity, freedom, and resistance against oppression. • Stands in contrast to the nearby Marian Column, which was associated with Habsburg rule and Catholic dominance. • A place where Czechs have historically gathered for protests and celebrations.

The Jan Hus Monument remains one of Prague’s most significant landmarks, honoring a man who shaped Czech history and inspired later reform movements, including...

The Jan Hus Memorial (Czech: Pomník mistra Jana Husa) stands at one end of Old Town Square, Prague in the Czech Republic. The huge monument depicts victorious Hussite warriors and Protestants who were forced into exile 200 years after Hus in the wake of the lost Battle of the White Mountain during the Thirty Years' War, and a young mother who symbolises national rebirth. The monument was so large that the sculptor designed and built his own villa and studio where the work could be carried out.[1] It was unveiled in 1915 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus' martyrdom. The memorial was designed by Ladislav Šaloun and paid for solely by public donations.

Born in 1369, Hus became an influential religious thinker, philosopher, and reformer in Prague. He was a key predecessor to the Protestant movement of the sixteenth century. In his works he criticized religious moral decay of the Catholic Church.

Accordingly, the Czech patriot Hus believed that mass should be given in the vernacular, or local language, rather than in Latin. He was inspired by the teachings of John Wycliffe. In the following century, Hus was followed by many other reformers - e.g. Martin Luther, John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli. Hus was ultimately condemned by the Council of Constance and burned at the stake in 1415. This led to the...

This monument of stone and bronze made by Ladislav Šaloun is one of the most significant Art Nouveau and Symbolist works of Czech Monumental Sculpture. It is dominated by the figure of the martyr Huss above a burning stake, looking towards the main Hussite Church of the Virgin Mary in front of Týn Church. Then there are groups of people, fighters with a shield and a flail and opposite to it there is a group of humiliated people, representing the exhiles in the period of the oppression after the Battle of the White Mountain. In 1903 the foundation stone of this monument was laid and the monument was unofficially unveiled in 1915 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus martyrdom (the festive event was prohibited). Celebrations were postponed for a more favourable time. Prague citizens at least covered the monument with flowers at that time. After the foundation of the Republic, signs were added and in 1926 bowls for fires and railings The huge monument depicts victorious Hussite  warriors and Protestants  who were forced into exile 200 years after Hus in the wake of the lost Battle of the White Mountain , and a young mother who symbolises national rebirth. The monument was so large that the sculptor designed and built his own villa where the work could be...