Flag Burning War Memorial

War Memorial 1938-1945

I've seen this memorial a number of times and never taken a picture of it and finally I just had to get off the tram and do it. A number of things fascinate me about it, not least of which the fact that I can't seem to find any information about who created or commissioned it and when. 

Particularly of interest to me is why they chose to memorialize World War II through a charred version of the national flag. I'll let you know when I find more information one day. Maybe I'll just have to take one of those tours one day.

Communism and Those Affected

Memorial to the Victims of Communism

This memorial is powerful in and of itself. It is honestly one of those pieces of art that simply needs no words but I will say this. It was placed at the bottom of Petřín Hill and has actually suffered damage from a bombing in 2003 which no terrorist or activist groups ever claimed.


The interesting part is that while most memorials are for those who have died, this memorial is for everyone who was affected by the communist regime in the Czech Republic, or in the artists words, "also those whose lives were ruined by totalitarian despotism."


On the bronze line going through the middle it says:

• 205,486 arrested
• 170,938 forced into exile
• 4,500 died in prison
• 327 shot trying to escape
• 248 executed

Living here has taught me many things and that is that this sort of affect on people's lives doesn't just end overnight. It's a long struggle for the people to finally gain control over their lives and their government again.