“Unleashing the Wild Side: Discover Czech Republic’s Hidden Statues of Cats, Dogs, Foxes, Hares, and Baby Elephants!”

This time, we’ll focus on amazing animal heroes found in public places, rather than equestrian monuments, lion statues, animal-shaped rock formations, or sculptures meant for climbing or sitting on. Our journey today is dedicated to real life animals like cats, dogs, foxes, hares, elephants, and more creatures that have earned their own statues, monuments, or urban legends. Today’s adventure with Kudy z nudy will take us to towns, squares, parks, and rocky areas, showcasing fur, paws, tails, ears, snouts, and hooves. We’ll meet cats, a baby elephant beneath Králický Sněžník, the largest dog sculpture near Domažlice, Bystrouška the fox in Hukvaldy, The Brave Little Rabbit in the Toulovec Stables, and other animal friends who seem like they’ve always been part of our history.

Cats: from a family in Liberec to the felines that charm our cities

Cats behave as if the entire world is theirs—and in certain areas like squares, streets, walls, or in front of shopping centers, they quite literally claim those spaces for themselves. Cats even have their own special holiday in the travel calendar: International Cat Day on August 8 and August 17 is reserved for all black cats to celebrate. These occasions are perfect reminders that cats are among the most beloved animal figures appearing in public places. There are cat statues, sculptures, and other cat-inspired art in many locations like Prague, Jindřichův Hradec, Brno, Hradec Králové, and Most. In Kersko, wooden cat sculptures even guide you to Hrabal’s cottage, while in Hrusice you’ll find a small memorial dedicated to Mikeš the cat.
The city known for its cats is Liberec, which has embraced these creatures in various amazing ways. Outside of Plaza shopping centre, a charming cat family created by Martina Niubó-Klouzová consists of three white cats with colorful spots, made from fiber-reinforced concrete. Initially, they were placed in front of the historic Liberec Town Hall, but were later moved to the fountains near the shopping center where they’ve now permanently resided because the locals adore them. The artist got inspired to create these playful cats while watching the popular children’s show Teletubbies, and her young son helped refine their design.
Another unique cat feature in Liberec is the appearance of small mosaic cats on walls, building façades, steps, bus stops, and various hidden corners. What started as a family hobby gradually transformed into a web gallery and a map. Presently, it showcases over eight hundred cats, beautifully demonstrating how simple street art can turn an ordinary city into a delightful open-air gallery.
Another interesting cat tale is found in Karlovy Vary. Here, you can locate the Cat Monument on Jean de Carro’s Paths, on the Three Crosses hill, near Na Vyhlídce Street. The statue was placed on a high pillar by Baron August von Lützow, a well-known supporter of the arts in this area. Originally, the cat faced the old Gothic town hall, which once stood close to what is now known as Mlýnská Colonnade. However, it is said the Baron later turned it around to signal to the local councilors that their efforts were rather a waste of time.

Dogs: from the Chodský Giant to Švejk’s loyal companion

Dogs truly are man’s best friends and certainly deserve a day to honor them: International Dog Day is observed on August 26. Given their unwavering loyalty, dedication, and ability to make us laugh, it’s no surprise that dogs also have their own statues. For instance, in Chodsko, near the village of Újezd not far from Domažlice, on Hrádek Hill, is a monument to Jan Sladký Kozina, featuring the massive Chodský dog, one of the largest sculptures created by Michal Olšiak. The statue stands four meters high and eight meters long, making it look more like a building than an ordinary dog. This sculpture is hollow, allowing adventurous kids and adults to enter through a narrow door.
In Kralupy nad Vltavou, you’ll find a completely different vibe where the good soldier Švejk sits on a bench in front of the town hall with a dog beside him—a stable’s pinscher modeled after the sculptor’s own schnauzer, named Rebel. To keep the humor alive, you’ll also find a dog poo with a fly beneath the bench. It’s said that if you’re brave enough to touch it, you might get some good luck, but that’s something only the truly adventurous might choose to do.
Two watchful dogs stand guard over a road bridge in Blansko; yet another dog sculpture can be found by the statue in Most and in Lázně Klimkovice, there’s a sculpture by Pavel Drda showing a family watching a hang-glider overhead, where the dog is often petted for good fortune, and children love to sit on it.

The Fox: Bystrouška, Janáček, and wishes come true

Even though International Fox Day has not yet made it to the public holidays, down below Hukvaldy Castle sits a bronze fox named Bystrouška on a massive boulder. This statue honors the most famous figure from Hukvaldy, Leoš Janáček, and the main character of his opera, The Cunning Little Vixen. Legend has it that anyone who touches her tail while making a wish will see it come true within a year.
For another encounter with Bystrouška and Janáček, you should head to Ostrava. There, on Jiráskovo Square, stands a lifelike bronze statue of the composer, holding the fox Bystrouška tenderly in his arms. This artwork, created by David Moješčík, is also known for his pieces like Levitation and his work on the Operation Anthropoid memorial in Prague. The Ostrava sculpture features a stone base that serves as a bench, inviting you to take a moment and sit beside Janáček and Bystrouška.
The statue signifies Leoš Janáček’s deep connection to Ostrava: the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra calls this city home, and the music festival Janáček’s May used to take place here before merging with another festival in Hukvaldy. It was in Ostrava that the composer’s life came to an end in August 1928.

The Hare: a courageous jumper in Toulovcovy Maštale

One of the more obscure animal statues can be seen in Toulovcovy Maštale, not far from Proseč. This sandstone life-size hare stands proudly on a rock as if celebrating a daring escape from hunting dogs with its adventurous spirit. The original statue was commissioned around 1880 by Knölle, a local forester from Nové Hrady, and its current look was restored in 2005 by a local community group.
There is no marked path leading to the hare, making it a hidden treasure for those who enjoy exploring maps, subtle detours, and lesser-known destinations rich in history. The best route is along the dirt track from Zderaz to Polanka.

The Baby Elephant: a symbol of Králický Sněžník

The granite baby elephant beneath Králický Sněžník is one of the most renowned animal sculptures in the Czech Republic. It was created in 1932 by the German art group Jescher, whose members gathered at the Liechtenstein Chalet below the summit of Králický Sněžník. The sculpture was designed by Amei Hallegerová, the wife of the group’s leader, Kurt Halleger, and was carved by the stonemasonry firm Förster from Zlaté Hory.

Why an elephant, you wonder? Allegedly, members of the society believed that the sound of an elephant sneezing resembles their greetings of ‘ješ’. So, along with the lilac, the elephant became their symbol. Whether you take this tale at face value or with skepticism, one thing is sure: the granite baby elephant is now a cherished part of Králický Sněžník, alongside its stunning views, the gusty winds, and the challenging climb.