After the Battle of Vítkov Hill

One of the famous chapters of the history of the Hussite movement was the Battle of Prague (on Vítkov Hill) between the troops led by Jan Žižka of Trocnov and the army of Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, who had claimed the Bohemian throne after the death of King Wenceslaus IV (Sigismund was his younger brother). His large army, consisting of mercenaries from all over Europe, besieged Prague. As an experienced military leader, Žižka, who had moved in from Tábor to help the inhabitants of Prague, realised the importance of Vítkov Hill for the defence of the city. He partly fortified the place but because his troops were largely outnumbered, he could only leave a small part of his army there. All the access routes to Prague, except for the road leading from Poříčí Gate under Vítkov to Tábor, had been occupied by Sigismund’s men. In order to secure Prague’s connection to its surroundings, Žižka had two defence log cabins, protected by a small trench and walled, built on the hill. He defended this strategic place himself with twenty six men, two women and one girl.

Sigismund’s troops attacked Prague on Sunday, 14 July 1420. Vítkov was supposed to be conquered by the cavalry of Meissen and Thuringia. Their powerful attack enabled them to get to the cabins but there they met with the defenders’ heroic resistance. The uneven battle raged for a long time. In this desperate situation, the Praguers entered the place through the gate and attacked the mercenaries from the rear. In panic and confusion, the enemy fled down the steep slopes, where most of the cavalry perished.

The painting shows the scene of Žižka and his warriors having descended Vítkov after their victory. The Tábor priest is holding a wafer at a field altar and other priests are lying there in deep humility, thanking God for the victory. Behind the altar there is a man sitting on a wicker basket, accompanying the prayers on a portable organ. On the left of the road a warrior is bandaging his wounds and a Tábor woman is breast-feeding her baby, a symbol of a new generation. In the background, Poříčí Gate and the city walls are seen, distinctly lit by the rays of the sun. Vítkov is outlined on the right, Žižka wearing a red cloak is standing deep in thought and thanking God for the miraculous victory. Lying on the ground in front of him are captured weapons and armour.