Ancient Obelisks: Markers of a Flood, Defenestration, Battle, and a Slap

Are you someone who enjoys looking at tall, impressive structures that rise like enormous stone fingers toward the sky? If so, visit Which way out of boredom where we will show you some impressive buildings that you really should check out. The most iconic is the Obelisk located at Prague Castle, which is just a short walk away from the Cathedral. However, you can also find obelisks in other locations: in some areas, they honor historic battles, while in others, they are simply there for their beauty. These hidden treasures in castle gardens act as reminders of history and create a unique atmosphere around them. If you are an admirer of architectural marvels, use these sites as unique spots for your photos. Join us as we explore the most stunning obelisks in the Czech Republic!

The most famous Czech obelisk: the Mrákotín monolith at St. Vitus Cathedral

Arguably, the most renowned obelisk in the Czech Republic is the Mrákotín monolith situated in the third courtyard of Prague Castle. This structure was established as a tribute to Czechoslovaks who lost their lives in World War I, thanks to the initiative of Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, the President of the Republic. However, it took seven years from the planning phase until its unveiling during the tenth anniversary celebrations of Czechoslovakia on October 28, 1928, as the story surrounding the monolith is quite intricate.

Finding a construction company willing to take on this project was a lengthy process; it took a year and a half before the task was assigned to the Mrákotín quarries. The massive monolith, which stands nearly nineteen meters tall, was extracted in the early part of 1923 from a quarry beneath the highest peak of the Highlands. The base of the obelisk measured 150 x 150 centimeters and its overall weight was 120 tonnes. However, the journey of the stone from Mrákotín to Prague was not successful, as it broke apart en route to the station in Telč. Consequently, in 1923, the President ordered a replacement monolith at his own expense. This new stone reached Prague in December 1925, arriving at the Dejvice railway station. It took several months before it was transported to Prague Castle, and the next two years were dedicated to making modifications to its final design, as envisioned by architect Jože Plečnik. Nonetheless, the obelisk lacked a decorative top, known as the pyramidion, for many decades, which had suffered damage during the stone’s extraction in the Mrákotín quarry. The final touch was finally completed in 1996 at the behest of President Václav Havel, when a two-meter high spire made of gold-plated steel was placed atop the obelisk, constructed by the Škoda factory in Plzeň.

In Mrákotín, the local municipal office features an exhibition on stone masonry, where you can discover many intriguing details about the journey of the monolith to Prague. It is also notable that the first broken obelisk led to the creation of two monuments: one was erected as a memorial to the fallen and can now be seen in Heroes’ Square in Telč, while the other was turned into a Monument honoring Czechoslovak Legionnaires who perished during World War I, located at Prague’s Pod Emmaus Square.

The oldest obelisks commemorating two governors

Just a short distance from the Mrákotín monolith lies a pair of stone obelisks situated in the Na Valech garden, positioned beneath the southern walls of Prague Castle. These were commissioned by Emperor Ferdinand III. to honor the events of the Prague defenestration of 1618, one for each of the governors involved: Jaroslav Bořita of Martinice (located under the windows) and Vilém Slavata of Chlum and Kosumberk (by the road). Legend has it that there was no landscaped garden beneath the south wall of the castle during that time, just some bushes that broke the fall of the two lords, allowing them to survive. The third individual involved in the defenestration, scribe Fabricius, unfortunately did not live long enough to have a monument dedicated to him. However, he was eventually elevated to nobility with the title “von Hohenfall,” translating to Lord of the High Fall.

Peace Obelisk in Brno

Another notable example is the Obelisk in Denis Gardens located in Brno. This area features numerous benches, stunning views of the city, and is only a short walk from Petrova and the lively city center. The Obelisk honors the triumph over Napoleon but doesn’t commemorate the iconic Battle of Austerlitz that occurred in 1805, one of the most well-known battles in European history. This obelisk dates back to 1818 and conveyed a different message: at that time, the feared warlord Napoleon was exiled on the island of St. Helena, peace finally reigned over the Habsburg Empire, and the Age of Enlightenment was beginning. This is the message that the obelisk expresses today in Denis Gardens in St. Peter’s Square. A grand ceremony was held to lay the foundation stone of the obelisk, and this memorial continued to play an important role even after the city walls were demolished, as it framed the view of the notable Elizabeth Strasse, known today as Hus Street.

A cast-iron obelisk that serves as both a memorial and grave

While older elegant monuments were often crafted from a single piece of stone, the tale of the Gloomy Monolith proves that such projects can be quite complex. In modern times, obelisks are frequently made from a combination of stones or metal and may even have hollow interiors. An excellent example is the obelisk near Trutnov, a slender cast iron structure standing seventeen meters tall, which commemorates June 27, 1866, the Battle of Trutnov, noted for being the only Austrian victory during the war against Prussia in 1866. The interior of this obelisk houses the remains of General Gablenz, who led the Austrian army to victory. A staircase inside allows visitors to view the former battlefield, as well as the surrounding towns and countryside. There is also a nature trail from the town center that leads to the hills and various sites of the battlefield.

Liechtenstein obelisks

The trend of erecting obelisks spread to the Liechtenstein estates in Austria and across Moravia during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

In the English park near Nové Zámky close to Litovel, you will still find an obelisk known as the Chimney, while other obelisks once stood in the Lednice-Valtice area. Of the four that were originally built, only one remains today, and it is the oldest: the Obelisk designed by architect Josef Hartmuth, erected in 1798 to celebrate the peace established between Austria and revolutionary France at Campo Formio. This twenty-three-meter-tall spire made from sandstone blocks stands in an avenue leading from the castle of Lednice to Weird, currently located within the Obelisk preserve.

However, many other obelisks have vanished, such as the so-called Slap, which stood near Hlohovec. This obelisk was struck by lightning in 1867 and ended up becoming part of the foundations of nearby cottages, barns, or cellars. How did it acquire such a weird name? According to an old tale, a princess reportedly slapped Prince Christopher of Liechtenstein here for losing the Mikulov estate in a card game. There are still older paintings that show another obelisk that used to stand on a smaller elevation near Valtice, and a third was once displayed on an island within one of the Lednice ponds.

Where can you find other notable obelisks?

• • Which obelisk offers the best view of the surrounding landscape? Fans of Šumava would likely choose the granite monument of Adalbert Stifter, which towers high above Lake Plešný.

• • The Rohan Stone on Ještěd is shaped like an obelisk. It marks the border between the lands owned by the Clam-Gallas and Rohan families and commemorates Adela Rohan’s visit in 1838.

• • In front of the facade of the Invalid House leading to Sokolovská Street in Prague, there is an obelisk honoring twenty soldiers who lost their lives in the flood of 1890. When the Vltava River’s rising waters threatened a temporary bridge and the Military Swimming Pool during the night of September 2 to 3, the battalion commander sent engineers to try and save them. Unfortunately, a strong current swept the soldiers away, resulting in the drowning of twenty men.

• • Obelisks from Ancient Egypt still adorn public spaces in cities like Istanbul, London, Paris, and Rome. While you won’t find an authentic Egyptian obelisk here, even the smaller replicas carry their own charm, along with captivating and often little-known stories. For instance, Rieger’s obelisk on Gothard Hill in Hořice, erected in 1907, recounts the rich history of the oldest sculpture and stone school in Europe.

• • Another notable obelisk, Via Lucis in Uherský Brod, is adorned with several quotations and references to the works of Jan Amos Comenius. This obelisk was unveiled to celebrate the 400th anniversary of his birth and was designed by Ivan Theimer, a leading sculptor of Czech descent who resides in France and Italy.

• • Beautiful obelisks found in castle parks and gardens will transport you back to the elegant days of the old nobility. Such sites can be found in the parks at Uherčice Castle, Krásný Dvůr Castle, Kynžvart Castle, in the Under Castle Garden in Kroměříž, or in the Templ Forest Park near Dolní Rožínky.

• • A border stone shaped like an obelisk also decorates the restored historical road between Spálený Poříčí and Blovice.

• • Among the family of obelisks, you will also find the Memorial of Aerobatics at Příbram Airport, the only aerobatics memorial in the world, dedicated to Czech and Slovak aerobatic pilots, whose achievements have made our country a notable force in the world of aerobatics throughout the century-long history of aviation.

Dive into the Intriguing World of Czech Obelisks

Discover a network of historic obelisks scattered across Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia. Each monument commemorates a pivotal event in Czech—and European—history while enhancing its natural or architectural setting.

Visitor Tips

• Many obelisks are located within landscaped parks—combine your visit with a nature walk or castle tour.

• Check opening hours for private estates (e.g., Kynžvart Castle) before planning your trip.