Erected in 1950, the statue of a horse-mounted Jan Žižka can be seen across the city and, until 2009, was reputed to be the world's largest equestrian sculpture.

The statue, located at the top of Vítkov hill, in the Žižkov neighborhood, is 9 meters high, or 22 meters if you include the pedestal.

Born in 1370, Žižka, who lost one eye as a young man and the other later in life, followed the teachings of religious reformer Jan Hus.

After Hus was burned at the stake in 1415, Žižka defended Bohemia from the Catholic crusades in what became known as the Hussite Wars.

Leading an army of farmers and peasants, the aging Hussite general used innovative tactics and weapons to secure several famous victories, including one here at Vítkov.

Completed in 1938, the large building behind Žižka was built as a mausoleum for Czechoslovak soldiers killed during World War I.

In the 1950s, under Communism, the mausoleum became a resting place for the body of Klement Gottwald and other Communist presidents.

After 1989's Velvet Revolution, their remains were removed and the building, which was acquired by the Národní Muzeum (National Muzeum) in 2001, was used only occasionally.

There are now plans to convert the mausoleum into a museum of 20th century Czech history, which is due to open in October 2009.

Ashley N. Knierim/Prague TV Staff