A promenade above Prague

The main idea for the whole modification project is an attempt to leave the hill in its original natural form, not to overwhelm it with distinctive objects and to naturally rely on the basic advantage of Vítkov—the hitherto somewhat underestimated views of the whole city. The modifications, designed by the leading Czech landscape architect Zdeněk Sendler, affect all parts of the park.

The iconic site is newly decorated by a promenade made from brushed concrete with water features and a gravel piazzetta containing benches and 40 new trees, mostly sycamores and maples, which should tolerate the dry and hot Prague summers well. This replaced the original road and asphalt car park. The promenade includes a geyser and 201 water jets—101 misting and 100 conventional jets, which are switched on from May to September. The heritage-protected fountain located just behind the monument was also put into operation. Water management is generally better arranged. The water features have their own technology shaft, the water circulates in the system and the rainwater is drained into soakaway trenches and soakaway crates.

Another new feature is the creation of a bistro with public toilets, which have been lacking in the area for a long time. Café Vítkov is at the top of the monument itself, with a terrace and a view of Prague, but you have to climb up to it. The new, more accessible bistro is partially recessed into the hillside, has a green roof and creates a natural amphitheatre with shaded seating. It was built on the site of a former car park. You can have a coffee or a beer here from September.

The paths on the south side and the stairs on the north side of the park were restored last year and will soon connect Vítkov to Karlín. A new footbridge will be built at the bottom as part of a development project in Pernerova Street. This will create a natural connection between Prague 3 and Prague 8 and improve the overall accessibility of the entire park.

How Vitkov changed over the years

Vítkov is one of the most important hills in Prague. The oldest surviving record of the hill above Žižkov dates back to 1041, when it was covered by dense forest growth, gradually cut down as it was settled. During the reign of Charles IV, vineyards were established on the slopes and top. Most of them belonged to clerical estates, others to German and Czech burghers. And one of them was the Prague constable Vítek of Hora, after whom the hill is named. The most significant historical milestone is undoubtedly the military success of the Hussites led by Jan Žižka of Trocnov, who defeated a Crusader army here on 14 July 1420. By the way, have you ever thought of looking more closely at the names of Prague streets? In Žižkov you will find several that refer to the Hussite movement and Czech Brethren—Želivského, Táboritská, Štítného, Husitská and Roháčova. In the 1890s, the western plain of the hill was transformed into an urban orchard under the direction of landscape architect František Thomayer.

A park with one of the largest bronze statues in the world

The National Monument, built between 1928 and 1932 to a design by Jan Zázvorka, is the park’s most striking landmark. The building’s main purpose was to commemorate the Czechoslovak legionaries and the Czechoslovak resistance during the First World War. But the monument has seen strange times. It served as a Wehrmacht warehouse during the Second World War and functioned as a mausoleum for Klement Gottwald in 1954–1962. Today, the remains of an unknown soldier from the Battle of Zborov and the Dukla operation are buried here. There is also an exhibition of Czech and Czechoslovak modern history, which was supplemented in 2012 by a new National Museum exhibition called Laboratory of Power. In 1950, one of the tallest bronze equestrian statues in the world was unveiled in front of the monument—the memorial to Jan Žižka by sculptor Bohumil Kafka. Interestingly, Kafka sketched the design as early as 1931 and completed the plaster model in November 1941. Shortly after its completion, however, he died. The statue was cast after the end of World War II and unveiled on the anniversary of the Battle of Vitkov, 14 July 1950. The northern foot of the slope is home to the Military History Institute and the Army Museum, which has recently undergone reconstruction.

Mirroring on Tachovské náměstí

The whole of Vítkov and its surroundings are gradually being transformed and coming to life. The tunnel between Karlín and Žižkov on Tachovské náměstí has newly been decorated with stainless steel mirror sheets. The curved mirrors are playful, interactive and create unique and original images for everyone who passes through the site. The installation is the culmination of more than fifteen years of efforts to transform the space. The overall revitalisation of the square by the studio ov architekti was already recognised last year by the jury of the Czech Architecture Awards.