“St\u0159e\u0161ovice sv\u00fdm padl\u00fdm 1914-1918.” These words etched in stone tell a story of sacrifice. They are the inscription on the Pomn\u00edk padl\u00fdm za 1. sv\u011btov\u00e9 v\u00e1lky. It is a war memorial in Prague.
The Pomn\u00edk padl\u00fdm za 1. sv\u011btov\u00e9 v\u00e1lky stands in Macharovo Square. It sits on the square’s central axis. The O\u0159echovka building marks one end of this axis. The war memorial marks the other.
Observe the statue. A soldier is depicted in it. He is larger than life. The soldier is wounded. He is falling backward toward the ground. His uniform shows him to be an infantryman. Ammunition pouches and a dagger hang at his waist. Wraps cover his legs. A helmet lies next to his right arm. His head is tilted back. His eyes are closed and his mouth is slightly open.
The front of the pedestal has an inscription. It reads “St\u0159e\u0161ovice sv\u00fdm padl\u00fdm 1914-1918”. Part of the inscription has disappeared. It was originally longer. It said: “St\u0159e\u0161ovice to its fallen in the fight for freedom 1914-1918”. The back of the pedestal bears another inscription. It says: “Built by the care of the citizens of St\u0159e\u0161ovice in 1929.” Names of the fallen are carved on both sides of the pedestal.
Legend says that the memorial is carved from limestone. The limestone came from Pu\u010di\u0161\u0107a. Pu\u010di\u0161\u0107a is in former Yugoslavia now Croatia.
Another war memorial is located on Karlovo nám\u011bstí. It honors soldiers who served in the medical corps. They fell while saving the wounded. This memorial stands in the courtyard behind the former New Town College. It features a tall pylon. The inscription reads “In memory of the world war 1914–1918”. A laurel wreath decorates it. Sculptors Josef Fojt\u00edk and Josef V\u00e1la designed the memorial. It honors the “Samaritans”. They were soldiers who served as medics on World War I battlefields. A soldier-Samaritan is on the right. He wears a field uniform. Samaritans rescued wounded comrades under enemy fire. Their names are on ten plaques. A figure of a woman is on the left.
The names on the plaques include S. S. N. Zimmelein and Gftr. Jos. Darmovzal. Others include Zugsf. Franz Mare\u0161 and S. S. Josef Bambas. Also listed are S. S. Ferd. Houda and S. S. Josef Ku\u010dera. Many more names are inscribed.
The Karlovo nám\u011bstí memorial was restored from 2017 to 2018. This included the statues and plaques. An elliptical pool with water sits in front of the memorial.
Yet another memorial stands in Kr\u010d. It was unveiled on October 28 1931. Marie Welzov\u00e1 provided the land and most of the funds. Academic sculptor Bohu\u0161 Hlav\u00e1\u010dek created the memorial. The city decided to repair this memorial. It was damaged before 1989. Someone stole the plaques with the names of the fallen. Originally two marble plaques were attached.
These memorials stand as testaments to the great war. They honor the fallen. Each tells a unique story. They remind us of the sacrifices made for freedom.