Erected in 1915, when Czech was still ruled by the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Hus’ martyrdom, this large scale monument is the centerpiece of Old Town Square. Hus, a protestant forerunner, was influenced by the writings of John Wycliffe. He preached to common peoples in the Czech language instead of Latin. He believed the primacy of the Bible over church leadership. He opposed papal power, selling indulgences, and Crusade against Naples. He was condemned as a heretic and burned at the stake at the Council of Constance on July 6, 1415.
During the Communist era, sitting quietly beneath his monument is a passive act of defiance.
Today, Hus is honored by the secular Czech Republic as one who defied powerful foreign authority. July 6 is a Czech public holiday.
View from the top of the Old Town Square Tower