“I believe in God and my guns” These were the defiant words of Captain Václav Morávek a legendary figure whose courage echoes even now from this very plaque. This unassuming memorial marks the spot where he fell in a fierce gun battle with the Gestapo on March 21 1942.
The Václav Morávek Plaque isn’t just a piece of stone. It’s a testament to unwavering resistance during the dark days of Nazi occupation. It tells the story of a man who defied tyranny armed with faith and firepower. Morávek was a key member of the Three Kings a clandestine resistance group. Along with Josef Balabán and Josef Mašín they relayed vital information to the Czechoslovak government-in-exile in London. They also masterminded daring acts of sabotage across enemy territory.
Morávek’s final stand began at Prague’s Pražský most Bridge. He was trying to aid his agent Václav Řehák who had been apprehended by the Gestapo. A confrontation ensued. Morávek skillfully discarded his briefcase containing compromising documents and money meant for a double agent’s escape. He then engaged in a brutal shootout. Despite suffering multiple gunshot wounds he fought relentlessly. The autopsy report ultimately disproved the Gestapo’s claim of suicide. The fatal shot pierced his aorta a wound he couldn’t have inflicted on himself.
This plaque unveiled in 1946 and relocated in 2014 stands as a poignant reminder. It’s accompanied by three stone blocks symbolizing the Three Kings. The smallest is 150 cm tall the next 180 cm and the largest 200 cm.
The Václav Morávek Plaque isn’t just a historical marker. It’s a symbol of defiance. A testament to one man’s courage in the face of overwhelming odds. It’s a place for reflection on the sacrifices made for freedom. Take a moment to remember Captain Morávek. His legacy lives on in the stones and in the stories we tell. His actions resonate in the heart of Prague to this day.