Vítkov National Memorial on Vítkov Hill with the Tomb of an Unknown Soldier

The National Memorial on Vítkov Hill was built in 1928-1933 according to the design of architect Jan Zázvorka to honour Czechoslovak legionaries. Work on the artistic decoration and interior of the memorial ended in 1938. The opening ceremony of the National Liberation Memorial was planned for 28 October 1938, the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic, and was to be combined with a military parade to demonstrate the determination to defend our country. However, that did not happen because of the consequences of the Munich Agreement.

Further modifications to the memorial began after World War II, when it was to be supplemented by a memorial hall dedicated to the Second Resistance. A bronze equestrian statue of Jan Žižka z Trocnova by Bohumil Kafka was installed. After February 1948, the memorial was turned into the Pantheon of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. It became the last resting place of the leaders of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. In 1953, the Klement Gottwald Mausoleum was established here. After 1989, the remains of the representatives of the former regime were removed from the memorial.

The memorial has once again become a place commemorating military history and the fate of people who have contributed to our freedom; a place where ceremonial parades of military units are held on important occasions. 

The Courtyard of Honour and other parts of the memorial are regularly the venue for ceremonies associated with Czech statehood, attended by the highest constitutional officials and representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Czech Army.

Between 2000 and 2024, the Memorial was administered by the National Museum and was renovated. 

Since 1 June 2024, the memorial has been the property of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic under the administration of the Military History Institute Prague. The original intention of the architects Jan Zázvorka and Jan Gillar, and especially of General Rudolf Medek, the first director of the National Liberation Memorial, for the functional connection of the entire complex of buildings on Vítkov Hill in Prague was thus fulfilled after almost a hundred years.

The Ceremonial Hall, the Presidential Lounge and the Tomb of an Unknown Soldier are open to the public. A new exhibition is currently being prepared in the Central Hall and Mausoleum. The National Museum’s exhibition “Crossroads of Czech and Czechoslovak Statehood” is permanently closed.

Please note that the entire site is a place of remembrance. Any permission for events (e.g. filming, taking promotional photographs) in the internal and external areas of the National Memorial on Vítkov Hill must be requested in advance from the Military History Institute Prague. Commercial events are not allowed.

Vítkov National Memorial on Vítkov Hill with the Tomb of an Unknown Soldier

U Památníku 1900130 00 Praha 3 – Žižkov
phone: +420 224 497 603;
mobile: +420 605 961 973;
e-mail: katerina.valisova@vhu.cz; muzeum@vhu.cz

Opening hours Year-round:
Tuesday – Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM
The last visitor will be admitted to the museum at 5:30 PM.

Entrance to the National Memorial on Vítkov Hill is FREE.

Educational programmes / guided tours: Since September 2024, the National Memorial on Vítkov Hill has been under the administration of the Military History Institute Prague. Together with the new exhibition, we are preparing educational programmes for you. In the autumn of 2025, we will be glad to welcome you and your pupils to this majestic building. In the meantime, please look at the educational programmes offered by the Army Museum Žižkov located at the foot of Vítkov Hill.

HOW TO FIND US:

Public transport:

From the Florenc Metro station (line B and C), by buses No. 133, 175, 207 to the „U Památníku“ bus stop (2nd stop – push the button in the bus)
Go back against the direction of the bus and turn right uphill before the traffic lights.

From the Flora Metro station line A, bus stop „U Památníku“ to the U Památníku bus stop.
Then follow the direction of the bus and turn right uphill before the traffic lights.

Public transport: from the Biskupcova tram stop by trams 7, 10 and 11 or from the Ohrada bus stop by buses 133, 136 and 207. Then go along Pražačka Street and through the park to the memorial.

ADMISSION FREE

BASIC INFORMATION:

The memorial has a barrier-free entrance on the east side of the building.

It is forbidden to enter the interior of the memorial with bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, scooters, etc., except for compensatory aids.  

It is forbidden to enter the interior of the memorial with drinks and food, or to smoke, including electronic cigarettes and similar devices. 

It is forbidden to enter the National Memorial on Vítkov Hill with any animals except for guide and assistance dogs.

More information in the Visiting Rules of the Military History Institute Prague Museums

During the opening hours of the memorial, the viewpoint above the equestrian statue of Jan Žižka is accessible.
Café Vítkov is also open during the opening hours of the memorial

You can visit other museums:

The Army Museum Žižkov

U Památníku 2, Prague 3
Opening hours Year-round: Tuesday – Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM.
The last visitor will be admitted to the museum at 5:30 PM.
Free Entrance.

The Aviation Museum Kbely

Mladoboleslavská, Prague 9 – Kbely
Opening hours in the summer season (May – September) 10.00 AM – 5.00 PM
Open on weekends in October.
The last visitor is admitted to the museum at 5:30 PM.
Free Entrance.

The National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror

Resslova 9a, Prague 2
Opening hours Year-round: Tuesday – Sunday 9.00 – 5 PM
The last visitor is admitted to the museum at at 5:30 PM.
Free Entrance

The Military Technical Museum Lešany

Lešany u Týnce nad Sázavou

June and September: weekends only, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM;
July and August: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM;
Free Entrance