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Statue of Charles IV

A significant Neo-gothic monument based on the model of Arnošt Hähnel (a sculptor from Dresden) was made by the workshop in Nürnberg in 1848 for the 500th anniversary of the foundation of the Charles University. The statue of Charles IV is superhuman in size, almost 4 m high. He leans on a sword with one hand and holds the foundation bull of the Prague University in his other hand.

  • Monuments & Architecture
  • statue/memorial

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On the almost 4m high pedestal there are allegories of four faculties (theological, medical, legal and philosophical) and on the corners there are four figures of the significant personalities from Charles' time: Arnošt of Pardubice, Jan Očko of Vlašim, Beneš Krabice of Weitmile and Matyáš of Arras. The monument was built on the newly decorated space after the removal of the military guardroom and the transfer of the vineyard column. The unveiling of the monument took place only in 1849, because in 1848 there were fights in the near surroundings and the monument had to be covered to be protected. It is one of the most significant Neo-gothic monuments in Central Europe.

The monument was paid for by the university and through collections.

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Contacts

  • Statue of Charles IV
  • Křižovnické náměstí
  • Praha 1 – Staré Město

Information source: Prague City Tourism