The Vojna Memorial in Lešetice is the only surviving communist labour camp in the Czech Republic. Its tour routes A, B and C each focus on different subjects: they include the camp grounds, exhibitions on political persecution and uranium mining, and a gallery of contemporary art. It is therefore worth looking at the individual themes when planning your visit: would you mainly like to explore the historic site, learn more about the history of uranium mining, or see European art?
Three Tour Routes at the Vojna Memorial
Tour route A takes you around the camp grounds, where historic buildings have been reconstructed. These include the former command building, the detention cell, the so-called bunker, the infirmary, the cultural centre, accommodation block G and other buildings. In the command building, Route A also includes an exhibition on persecution after February 1948 and the Third Resistance. This route therefore combines a walk around the site with an exploration of political persecution and resistance.
Route B has a different focus. Its permanent exhibition, “Uranium in Czech History,” explores the development of uranium mining over the past two centuries and its impact on science, technology and society. It therefore looks beyond extraction to its wider effects. Route C leads to the “ORBIS PICTUS: EUROPA” gallery, which features contemporary European visual art. The three routes thus offer different themes for a visit: the camp grounds and their history, the development of uranium mining, or art from Europe.
A Memorial Site, Village Square and Landscape
The history of uranium mining is also visible in the landscape: the spoil heaps around Lešetice are reminders of uranium ore extraction. Together with the permanent exhibition on Route B, they offer two different ways to explore the subject—through the landscape and through its development in Czech history. The Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus stands in Lešetice’s village square. The sculpture “Obětem komunismu” was installed in 2010 in front of the main building of the Vojna Memorial in Lešetice. The observation tower at the Vojna Memorial is another local attraction; it offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Plan Your Cycling Route and Journey
For cyclists, Route 302A runs from the Vojna Memorial via Zavržice; it branches off Route 302. Signage and route details may change, so it is advisable to check the information before setting off. Another route connects the Vojna Memorial, Lešetice, Žežice, Brod, the railway station in Příbram and Svatá Hora. This route includes several different destinations and can be considered a separate part of your trip planning.
From Příbram, take road I/66 towards Milín to reach the memorial. Near Lešetice, turn right onto a local road towards Lešetice and the Vojna Memorial. The memorial is about 8 km from Příbram. Check the directions before you set off. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide which themes you would like your stay to focus on: the camp grounds and their history, the history of uranium mining, the art gallery, or local routes and attractions.
Discover more destinations: Hlubyně, Doubravice, Nalžovice, Dublovice, Ohrazenice, Čenkov, Dlouhá Lhota, Svatý Jan.
For the wider travel overview: Příbram District.
