Pomník Karla VI. Monument

Pomník Karla VI., located on the northeast edge of the village Hlavenec in Praha- east district, is a Baroque monument from the first half of the 18th century. This monument was built as a thank you to Count Franz Antonín Špork for the award of the badge of the order of St. Hubert by Emperor Charles VI in 1723. The monument, which is 10 metres tall and has a six-sided form, is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

There was a monument in the context of baroque art that influenced Europe in the first half of the 18th century. Count František Antonín Špork asked Emperor Charles VI to give him the badge of the Order of St. Hubert, which happened during the festive hunt on November 2, 1723. With this gesture, the Count wished to gain the Emperor's favor and desire for the Order of the Golden Fleece, which he never succeeded in. The monument was built according to the design of architect František Maximilian Kanka and realized by sculptor Matyáš Bernard Braun in 1724-1725.

The architecture of the monument is characteristic of Baroque style. The lowest part consists of a stone base in the shape of a hexagon, from which a sandstone monument is lifted in the shape of a canopy with concave bent sides. Sokl is decorated with figural reliefs in decorative cartouche, which primarily display hunting motifs. On the corners of the monument there are three Roman-dorian columns, supporting the roof with a floating canopy and little angels. The central part of the monument is dominated by a statue of Emperor Charles VI in life size, dressed in ancient clothing.

The memorial went through several stages of administration and maintenance. After his solemn revelation on November 4, 1725, Count Špork celebrated the event by creating commemorative medals and copper-engraving for friends at home and abroad. In 1970 and between 1999- 2000, the memorial had a difficult restoration carried out by Jiří Kačer.

Today, the monument of Charles VI in Hlavence is accessible to visitors as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Its historical and artistic value, associated with the baroque heritage and personalities of that time, makes this monument an important place to visit. It is a reminder not only of Count František Antonín Špork and Emperor Karl VI., but also of the Baroque art that shaped Czech cultural space in the first half of the 18th century.

The monument is not only a monument to a historical event, but also a witness to the Baroque art and architecture of the time. His visit offers a view of the past and an opportunity to appreciate the historical importance of this place.