Lešetice: History at the Vojna Memorial

If you are considering Lešetice as a travel destination, the Vojna Memorial in Lešetice is its main cultural attraction. It is the only preserved communist labor camp in the Czech Republic. The visiting routes focus on different themes; there are also local memorials, a chapel, and traces of uranium ore mining. The three routes cover persecution after February 1948, uranium mining, and contemporary European visual art.

Visiting routes at the Vojna Memorial

Route A covers the camp grounds and their reconstructed historic buildings: the former command building, the detention cell, the so-called bunker, the infirmary, the cultural hall, accommodation building G, and other buildings. The command building houses an exhibition on persecution after February 1948 and the Third Resistance, which is part of the route. Route A thus connects the buildings on the camp grounds with a specific focus on political history.

Route B covers the permanent exhibition “Uranium in Czech History.” It examines the development of uranium mining over the past two centuries and its effects on science, technology, and society. In comparison with Route A, the focus shifts: Route A centers on the camp grounds and persecution, while Route B explores uranium mining and its consequences. Route C includes the “ORBIS PICTUS: EUROPA” gallery, featuring contemporary European visual art. This art focus complements the historical themes of the other routes.

Chapel, monument, and landscape

The Chapel of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus stands in Lešetice village square. In 2010, the sculpture “Obětem komunismu” was installed in front of the main building of the Vojna Memorial in Lešetice. Spoil heaps around Lešetice are reminders of uranium ore mining. They connect a visible feature of the landscape with the mining theme also covered on Route B. The observation tower at the Vojna Memorial offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Plan your routes and journey

Cycling route 302A runs from the Vojna Memorial via Zavržice and branches off from Route 302. As signage and the route may change, check the current route before setting out on a bike ride. One route connects the Vojna Memorial, Lešetice, Žežice, Brod, the railway station in Příbram, and Svatá Hora. These destinations provide specific reference points for planning your trip, but do not indicate how long the walk or drive takes.

From Příbram, you can reach the Vojna Memorial via road I/66 in the direction of Milín. Near Lešetice, turn right onto a local road towards Lešetice and the Vojna Memorial. The memorial is about 8 km from Příbram. Check the route before setting off. This will help you plan your journey and explore the different highlights at your destination.

Discover more destinations: Pečice, Dublovice, Nečín, Nalžovice, Osečany, Hlubyně, Dubenec, Drahenice

For the broader travel overview: Okres Příbram.