10 Must-Visit Battlefields: Top Travel Tips!
At Which way out of boredom, we introduced you to the bloodiest battles of our history. While many battlefields have left no clear signs of their past conflicts, other locations feature museums, memorials, and fascinating exhibits. A notable example is the Battle of Austerlitz, which is one of the most recognized battles in European history. This significant event happened on December 2, 1805, near Brno and Slavkov. Notably, it involved the direct participation of the French Emperor Napoleon I, the Russian Tsar Alexander I, and the Austrian Emperor Francis, leading their armies. It is often referred to as the Battle of the Three Emperors. Beyond the battlefield itself, it is remembered through sites like the Peace Memorial with its museum, Žuráň Hill—the vantage point where Napoleon observed the grim dawn before the battle—nature trails, and the annual battle reenactment in Tvarožné below Santon Hill.
Another journey you can take is to the Battle of Tachov Memorial located at High Peak, which honors the events from the year 1427, or to the cairn near Lipany, the site of the battle fought in 1434. While in Prague, you should visit White Mountain and the Hvězda Summerhouse. On November 8, 1620, this was the location where Catholic forces clashed with the army of the Czech Estates, who were defending reformist beliefs and culture. The Battle of White Mountain is recognized as the starting point of the Thirty Years’ War. Conversely, the closing chapter of this war occurred in March 1645 at Jankov in The Land of the Knights of Blanica, where one of the bloodiest engagements unfolded, now marked by a Memorial at the historic battlefield.
Majestic landmarks such as the Monument at Křečhora, Bedřichova vyhlídka lookout tower, and a dedicated cycling route honor the year 1757 and the Battle of Cologne, which was a pivotal engagement and one of the few victories of the Austrian army during the Seven Years’ War. Additionally, the significant Battle of Hradec Kralove, which occurred on July 3, 1866 at Chlum, was the largest and bloodiest clash of the Austro-Prussian War. This historic site features an area with a museum and a lookout tower. Walking across the battlefield, you’ll discover over 400 monuments, plaques, and graves. You can also explore sites related to the Battle of Trutnov, which includes an educational trail and the General Gablenz Memorial on the Šibenik hill, also acting as an accessible lookout point. You’ll find several intriguing memorials to various battles from history around Chlumec near Ústí nad Labem. The National World War II Memorial in Hrabyně serves as a reminder of the Ostrava-Opava operation, the most significant combat action of World War II on our soil, which took place from March 10 to May 5, 1945.
As an extra, we highlight clashes that influenced the fate of the Czech lands, even though they occurred outside of our borders. The Battle of Moravian Field took place in Lower Austria between the Danube and the lower section of the Morava River. In 1278, this battle saw the death of the Czech king Přemysl Otakar II. Further away, on the plains near today’s Serbian-Croatian-Hungarian border, the Battle of Mohacs happened on August 29, 1526. In this encounter, Czech, Hungarian, and Croatian kings saw Louis of Jagiellon fall. Following his demise, Ferdinand I of Habsburg ascended to the Czech throne, marking the start of a long dynasty of Habsburg rulers.
