Žižkov

Most of this cadastral district lies in the municipal and administrative district of Prague 3, except for very small parts which are in Prague 8 and Prague 10. Prior to 1922, Žižkov was an independent city. The district is named after Hussite military leader Jan Žižka. It is situated south of Vitkov hill, site of the Battle of Vitkov Hill on July 14, 1420, where Žižka's peasant army decisively defeated the forces of Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor.

Žižkov was historically a working-class district, and was sometimes referred to as 'Red Žižkov', because so many of its inhabitants supported left-wing parties. Before World War II, it had a reputation as a rough area. This reputation spread across the whole former Czechoslovakia and it was still possible to trace it amongst the people many decades later.

Like many districts of the city, Žižkov today is socioeconomically diverse. It is undergoing a renewal, with many older buildings being reconstructed and restored. New fashionable cafes and restaurants are appearing and property prices are increasing rapidly. The western part of Žižkov is still known for its high concentration of brothels, strip clubs and cheap bars. Žižkov is said to have the highest number of pubs per capita of any city district in Europe , with more than 300. Yet only a short distance away are nice apartments and a new shopping mall with expensive stores. The Palác Akropolis is recognized as a center of cultural events in the area.

Two of Prague's most-visible landmarks are in Žižkov: the National Monument, with its giant statue of Jan Žižka on horseback (by Bohumil Kafka, it is the largest equestrian statue in the world) ; and the 216 meter-high Žižkov Television Tower, Prague's tallest structure.


The TV Tower with Mutant Babies

The very large Olšany Cemetery also takes up much of the district. The adjacent New Jewish Cemetery, one of two historic Jewish burial places in the district (the other being the Žižkov Cemetery next to the the Žižkov Tower), contains the grave of Czech-German writer Franz Kafka.

Žižkov also contains several beautiful parks. Among the most popular include the Holy Cross Hill, Vitkov, the park at the Židovských furnace, and the newly renovated Paradise Garden.

Prague's biggest Carnival celebration (called Masopust is Czech) is annually held in Žižkov. It, and the wine harvest festival, attract tens of thousands of visitors each year.