Statue of Radegast on Radhošť’

The artificial stone statue was created in America by Albín Polášek. The sculptor, who could not find work in his native country, was teaching sculpture at the Academy of Art in Chicago at the time.

According to stories from that time, the transport with the statue got stuck in one of the curves of the old road from Trojanovice to Pustevny, which is now known as the “prince’s road”. A violent storm came and Radegast was pulled out of the trap by a team of six horses the next day. The soldier who kept guard at the statue overnight was said to have even been killed by lightning.

Radegast is the pagan god of war and victory, but also the god of hospitality and abundance. The ancient Slavs used to go to the Radhošt’ mountain to honour this god. The cult of Radegast was attempted to be displaced by the Christian saints Cyril and Methodius, who erected a cross on Radhošt’. The idol of Radegast is said to have moved to the underground spaces of Radhošt’. According to legends, there are still corridors, caves and underground temples there.