The equestrian statue by Prof. Michal Gabriel was installed on Theatre Square in May 2022.
In January 2017, in connection with the celebrations marking the 700th anniversary of the birth of Charles IV, the Rotary Club Karlovy Vary organised an art competition for the design of a statue dedicated to the King of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperor and founder of Karlovy Vary.
In cooperation with the artist and the initiators of the project, approximately seven locations in the spa district were considered. KAM KV proposed adding two more locations in the administrative centre of the city, on the condition that the proposed public spaces would undergo comprehensive revitalisation based on a coherent concept, with the artwork becoming an integral part of the site and contributing to the enhancement and cultivation of the public space.
The competition received 13 proposals from 12 artists. The expert jury awarded first prize to the design by Prof. Michal Gabriel, an academic sculptor, and recommended it for implementation. According to the evaluation committee, this proposal clearly fulfilled the brief best and met the requirements for an artwork capable of becoming a fully integrated part of the city's urban environment.
The ceremonial unveiling took place on 7 May 2022 on the occasion of the opening of Karlovy Vary's 665th spa season.
About the statue
The statue stands in the spa district of the city on Theatre Square. It is an equestrian monument constructed from 280 pieces of 10 mm-thick steel plate. The individual templates were cut using laser technology and layered together by welding. The pedestal consists of 56 steel plates. The gaps between them are defined by four short plates in the lower section of the pedestal.
The dense grid of steel plates creates a striking optical effect, particularly in the pedestal, where the silhouette of the Crown of Saint Wenceslas can be seen as a symbol of the majesty of Charles IV. The monument, including its pedestal, is 5.6 metres high and its weight is estimated at 30 tonnes.
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Holy Trinity Column
Statue of Charles IV
