From 1989 the monument had been a subject of much debate until 2001 when it was handed over to the National Museum; they initiated extensive renovations and also gave the whole area a major facelift.
“The Monument was built in honour of the Czech legionnaires who served in World War I and as the last resting place of Czech President Masaryk, “said the director of the National Museum Michal Lukeš.
From Masaryk to storehouse
The beginning of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia brought about a change in its usage, and the plan was to dedicate the place to the mutual bond between Czech and German personalities. From 1941 even German dignitaries would come to pay homage to the Grave of an Unknown Soldier. However, the occupiers utilised it initially as a storehouse of the Wehrmacht. An awkward period between 1945 and1948 followed, when the original function of the monument was planned to be restored. The February of 1948 changed all that and the new hall commemorating the Second Resistance Movement was opened as the Hall of the Red Army.
From the warehouse to Gottwald
After the death of Czech communist President Klement Gottwald, the monument was changed into his mausoleum and played this role until the beginning of the 60s. Other high-ranking Czechoslovakian communists were also buried there. In 1989, their number reached more than a hundred. Subsequently families took care of most of them. The remaining 26 bodies that the families either refused or weren’t able to take over were taken care of by the Communist Party and buried in the Olšany Cemetery.
From awkward moments back to the Monument
After 1989, the monument and its usage was the subject of many discussions. Several proposals concerning its commercial use had been cold shouldered by the public before it was finally decided to entrust the Monument to the National Museum. “By taking this national cultural heritage over, we took upon ourselves a very demanding task to bring it back to its original purpose, to provide for its revitalisation and open it to the public. Our aim was not only to make the place into a “quiet symbol of Czech statehood,” but also to establish a modern museum that will be in touch with the public and especially with the new generation,” said M. Lukeš.
The building as a cross-section of history
These days, the monument offers an utterly unique exhibition of Czech modern history demonstrating the cross-roads of Czech history. It showcases many intriguing historical items such as the last letters from prison written by Milada Horákova and Heliodor Píka (imprisoned by the Communist regime), personal items of Jan Palach (who burned himself to death in protest against the Communist regime) and the typewriter belonging to Czech writer Pavel Tigrid. The engine room and control centre that used to belong to the K. Gottwald Mausoleum as well as some other tokens of those dark totalitarian times are still kept at the building. This means that not only the exhibition but also the building itself serves as a demonstration of the historical cross-roads of Czech history.
Museum Mile in the pipeline
In the future, the monument will become incorporated in the so called Museum mile, in which other significant cultural institutions will get involved. The route will start at Wenceslas Square, where the National Museum already owns two buildings (the second one has recently been opened in the former building of Radio Free Europe). From here it will carry on to the Railway Museum that is planned to be built close to Masaryk Station, in its historical heating station. Then it will lead through Florenc, stopover in the Prague City Museum, and through the National Military History Museum all the way to Vítkov hill.
New attractions that are on offer
Apart from the exhibition called Crossroads of Czech and Czechoslovakian History, the recently opened building offers a new café with a charming view of the city as well as a terrace that opens onto a breathtaking panoramic view of Prague. Until recently only very few people had been able to admire it.
Renovation cost
The total renovation costs of 321 million crowns were covered by the Ministry of Culture. Renovation of Jan Žižka of Trocnov equestrian monument is planned for the years 2010–2011 with an estimated cost of 30 million crowns. Annual operational costs will roughly amount to 25 million crowns.
Short-term exhibitions
Apart for the permanent exhibition, the place will become host to several short-term exhibitions. The first one is called the Prague Castle Photographic Archives 1918–1933 and presents a selection of President Masaryk’s pictures taken during official as well as private events. Another exhibition that is currently taking place shows pieces made by teenagers in workshops with the aim of presenting their perception of the totalitarian times.
The Grave of an unknown soldier will be renovated
There are still lots of changes to be made at Vítkov, the most important being the facelift of the Grave of an unknown soldier. “This unknown legionnaire who fought in the Battle of Zboriv was buried at the Old Town Hall in 1922. However, in 1941 he was removed from his grave and as of 1945 we lost all track of his whereabouts,” said Michal Burian from the Military Historical Museum. “After 1945 it wasn’t possible to re-establish the tradition of this legionnaire from the Battle of Zboriv because the Soviet army prevented it and the legionnaire was replaced by an unknown soldier from the Battle of the Dukla Pass. We currently have the relics of the Zboriv legionnaire and we will be able to place the relics of both soldiers next to each other - one of whom fought for an independent Czechoslovakia and the second one for its re-birth,” added M. Burian. The grave will be renovated next year.
How to get there?
Admission to the monument is free until the end of November as this period is treated as a trial operation. Management of the museum hopes that the transport issues to and from the museum will be satisfactorily solved. It is not clear yet whether a minibus will drive to the building. Currently you can walk to the monument on foot either from Ohrada or from Hus Avenue. There is no access from Karlín at all. “Žižkov Town Hall is considering the development of a suspension foot-bridge that would connect the hills Křížek and Vítkov, “said Ondřej Pecha who works in the Prague 3 Town Hall. Additionally, Zižkov Town Hall wants to gradually enable access to Petřín from the streets that end by the currently discontinued lane. Other solutions suggest building a lift that would grace the Karlín side. Access from this side is also currently possible by using the new stairs leading under Vítkov Hill that were built after the railway line had been closed.
