Pomník Svatopluka Čecha v Litni Memorial

Pomník Svatopluka Čecha v Litni is a supersonic statue, revealed on 5th June 1938 in Beroun County. Located in Sady Svatopluka Czech Republic in the street Pod Walls. It reminds the Czech poet and writer whose strong connection to this village is confirmed by literary work and family history.

Svatopluk Čech spent part of his childhood here between 1853- 1856. His father, František Jaroslav Čech, worked in Litni as economic manager of Franz Daubka estate. His popular collection in the shadow of the linden, published for the first time in 1879, is closely related to the poet and the village. In the work he mentions the linden at the church of St. Peter and Paul, which became his symbol. After the damage to the roots in 1914, the tree began to die and in the 1920s only the tribe remained. This led to the creation of a dignified monument and the conversion of the surroundings into orchards. Two organizations worked on the project for ten years: The Union of Svatopluk Czech Republic in Prague and the Association for the Modification of Svatopluk Czech orchards in Litni under the direction of Dr. Josef Honzík. The project was supported by Ferdinand Strejček, Zdeňka Čechová and other artists or scientists.

The statue according to the design of J. Macha is carved from the mountain sandstone and stands on a stone rectangular pedestal. It shows sitting Svatopluk Czech Republic in life size. In his left hand, he keeps an open book at the waist level while in his right hand he holds a pencil on the table. The author's signature is carved on the pedestal as well as the name of the Central Industrial School of Stonework and Sculpture in Hořice. The monument has a rustic character and is seen as an important cultural-historical object. Although the details are well-developed, the overall processing shows impartiality in the form of an oversized writer's head.

The memorial stands on an elevated lawn between the church and the parish. In the field there is a simple foundation and stylized rock on which the sitting figure is facing west. The surrounding area consists of a park with lime and a square area with benches. Nowadays the monument is part of the Lesser Path Liteň; There are three information panels at the memorial about the poet. The Museum of Svatopluka Czech Republic and Jarmila Novotné have been located in the former parish building since 2004. The building is registered in the central list of cultural monuments of the Czech Republic.

Visiting this place offers insight into literary history and a reminder of the important personality of the Czech nation. In a quiet environment of orchards, the monument is an important stop for anyone interested in the cultural history of the region.