Busta Adama Mickiewicze Statue
Adam Mickiewicz is one of the most important visitors to Karlovy Vary, although it only stopped once in the city. The Polish poet (1798-1855) arrived at the spa in 1829 and during his several days stay he met a Polish member of Roman Soltyk. This meeting proved fatal - Soltyka later became an inspiration for the character of one of the main heroes of Mickiewicz's romantic epic Pan Tadeas, one of the most important works of Polish literature.
The grateful Poles for Mickiewicz's visit gave the spa world a lasting reminder to the city. In 1897, Polish guests in the park near the Richmond Park had a memorial dedicated to the famous poet resurrected. The author of the bronze bust was Polish sculptor Tadeusz Baraącz, while the granite base was realized by the Pilsen company Jan Cingroš according to the author's design. There was a floral garden surrounded by a low decorative fence around the monument - the original monument had an elegant look and care of the surroundings.
During the first half of the twentieth century, however, the monument did not unfold the fate of many European sites - it was damaged and its bronze parts were lost. After World War II, in 1947 (according to former sources in 1950), the memorial decided to renew. The new monument, which was revealed on 17 October 1948, comes from the workshop of Karlovy Vary painter and sculptor Břítislav Werner. Although it had a smaller scope than the original bust and its bronze elements were carried out in a simpler form, the new monument remained faithful to the original intention.
Today's likeness of the monument reflects its rich history. The bronze bust of the poet rests on a two-step prism pedestal made of polished red Swedish granite. Sokl is decorated on the front with a flat bronze relief with an art allegory - harp, goose quill and bouquet - which replaced the original sculpture. Under this motif is a Latin inscription in gold letters, while on the back is a gilded inscription in Polish. Side pillars are decorated with flaming torches in place of original bronze volutes. You can find the signature of author Bretislav Werner on the lower left side of the plinth.
The monument has been declared a cultural monument and is protected since 1958 (event. 1964) under registration number SAR 17491 / 4-896. When visiting the park, it is easy to find it - it stands as a silent witness to the unique encounter of the great personalities of world culture and the urban spa tradition of Karlovy Vary.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- 1829
- Adam Mickiewicz visited Karlovy Vary.
- 1897
- The origin of the original monument by Tadeusz Barącz.
- 1947
- Replacing the original monument with a new work by Břetislav Werner.
- 1948
- The unveiling of a new monument.
Architectural development
The original monument from 1897 was damaged in the first half of the 20th century and the bronze parts were broken off. The new monument by Břetislav Werner, made of bronze on a granite pedestal, was completed in 1947.
Historical events
- 1829
- Adam Mickiewicz visited Karlovy Vary and here he met Roman Soltyk.
- 1897
- The original monument was created by Tadeusz Barącz.
- 1948
- The unveiling of the new memorial of Břetislav Werner.
Points of interest
- Adam Mickiewicz stopped in Karlovy Vary only once during his trip to the spa in 1829. - During his stay in Karlovy Vary, a Polish poet recognized Roman Soltyk, who became an inspiration for the character hero Mickiewicz's epic Mr. Tadeas. A memorial dedicated to Adam Mickiewicz was set up in 1897 by Polish guests in a park near the Richmond Park Hotel. - The original monument was damaged during the first half of the twentieth century and its bronze parts were lost. - The new monument, revealed on October 17, 1948, comes from the workshop of Karlovy Vary painter and sculptor Břítislav Werner.
Guide
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This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
The Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz visited Karlovy Vary only once, in the year 1829. Nevertheless, he is counted among the notable visitors to the city. During his several-day spa stay, he met Roman Soltyk, a member of the Polish parliament. This man later became a living model for one of the characters in his Romantic epic Pan Tadeáš.
Polish spa guests commemorated the poet's stay in the spa. In 1897 they had a monument erected in the park in front of the Richmond park hotel. The bronze bust was created by Polish sculptor Tadeusz Barącz. The granite pedestal was made according to his design by the Plzeň company Jan Cingroš. Around the monument there used to be a flower bed with a low decorative circular fence.
In the first half of the twentieth century, the monument was apparently damaged and all the bronze parts were broken off. After the Second World War, it was given a new form. According to one source, this happened in 1947, according to an earlier one in 1950. The original bust was replaced by a new, smaller one. The other bronze parts were also supplemented, but in a simpler execution. The author of the new form is Karlovy Vary painter and sculptor Břetislav Werner. The restored monument was unveiled on October 17, 1948.
The bronze bust of the poet stands on top of a twice-stepped prismatic pedestal made of polished red Swedish granite. At the top it is closed by a profiled cover plate. On the front of the pedestal there used to be a bronze sculpture, an allegory of art in the form of a harp, a goose quill and a bouquet. During the restoration, it was replaced by a flat bronze relief with the same motif. Below it is a Latin inscription in gold letters. On the back of the pedestal is a gilded Polish inscription.
On the side pillars there were originally bronze volutes. On the current monument, in the spirit of the times, they were replaced by flaming torches. In the lower part of the left side of the pedestal is the artist's signature. The entire pedestal rests on a single prismatic step made of unpolished granite.
The monument is a cultural heritage site and has been protected as a heritage monument since the nineteen fifties.
Tips for visitors
The best time to visit Adam Mickiewicz's bust is early in the morning or in the evening in summer when the park is peaceful and pleasant warm light allows beautiful photos.
You can verify the current connection using an online search engine that offers the most effective routes.
When visiting, it is recommended to take a camera or mobile phone with you to capture the beautiful panorama of the park and the statue itself. Thanks to the quiet environment it is ideal for relaxation and creativity.
For photography it is best to choose the park at a time when the sun illuminates the statue from the side, allowing interesting effects of shadow and light. The park offers several places with different points of view.
The historical area of Karlovy Vary is just 30 minutes' walk from the bust. For families with children it may be interesting to explore the nearby terrain and perhaps visit the Richmond parkhotel where there is a toy car or other attractions.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
This is a structure in a public space that can usually be seen from outside free of charge. We have not verified that this particular one is freely accessible.
Where is the monument?
Location: Slovenská, Karlovy Vary, Karlovarský kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic as a cultural monument (register no. 17491/4-896).
For kids
Imagine going back to when Poland was the Lithuanian Union - a huge state that reached from Baltyk to the Black Sea. This place was part of this great empire back then.
It was like a small town in the heart of Europe and one of the most famous Polish poets Adam Mickiewicz lived here. This man was like a star at the height of his fame - everyone entertained him, everyone honored him, and everyone read his poems.
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Events nearby
Zdroj akcí: otevřená data měst a obcí ČR (Národní katalog otevřených dat) a kalendář akcí Národního památkového ústavu.
Nearby
The surrounding landscape: historical centre of Prague, other sights: Staromestske namesti, Cathedral of St. Vitus, Petřín.
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Trips and activities nearby
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1. Park area (park) - A space surrounding a monument that offers a quiet environment for observing art. 2.Busta Adama Mickiewicze (statue) - The main destination of the route, which honours the memory of a great Polish poet. 3. The base of the monument (stone element) - Detailed view of the craft processing of the base, which is a solid part of the whole work.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring brings fresh air and awakening greenery to Karlovy Vary, which form a fine frame around the statue. Soft spring light is ideal for shooting details of the bust. I recommend wearing more layers of clothing because the weather is variable. It is best to visit the memory in the morning when the city centre has a quieter atmosphere.
The summer season is characterized by rich green trees and intense sun, which highlights the contours of the monument. The town is full of visitors in the main season, so it is advisable to come very early in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds. Don't forget light, breathable clothes and sun protection because in the summer months it can be hot in the streets.
Autumn wraps around the statue with golden and red leaves, creating a melancholy and romantic mood. The lighting is finer in this period, which gives the place depth. It's practical to carry a waterproof jacket or umbrella for frequent collisions. I recommend that the walk be planned for the late afternoon when the light is most atmospheric.
In winter, the monument is more severe, especially if it is covered by a layer of snow or freezing air. The atmosphere is cosy and quiet at advent time, although there are expectations of holidays in the city centre. It is necessary to choose really warm clothes and fixed shoes. Given the short days, it's best to leave in the morning so you can have daylight.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
Atmosphere of the place
This atmospheric visualisation of the place and period was generated by artificial intelligence. It is not real footage of the location.
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Sources and literature
Photos: Václav Štorek / CC BY-SA 4.0, rozlišení zvýšeno umělou inteligencí — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
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