Lidice Memorial | A Must Visit World War 2 Monument from Prague
The Lidice Memorial is a somber and emotional, yet memorable day trip from Prague, Czech Republic.
The war memorial is a moving tribute to a village whose name was almost lost forever by the heinous actions of Nazi soldiers. A village with a sad and tragic story. This village is Lidice and it is less than 30 minutes from Prague.
The Czech Republic has many reminders of World War II scattered throughout the country, but the Lidice Memorial stuck with me as one of the most emotional tributes to the innocent victims of war.
This is a quick guide on how to visit the Lidice Memorial from Prague, a brief history, and things that are worth visiting at the Lidice Monument.
Table of Contents
- How to Visit Lidice From Prague
- A Brief History of Lidice
- Things to See at the Lidice Memorial
- Practical Information for Visiting the Lidice Memorial
- How to Return to Prague from Lidice Memorial
- Conclusion | A Somber Visit to the Lidice Memorial
How to Visit Lidice Memorial From Prague
The Lidice Memorial is less than 30 minutes by public transportation from Prague. Without a doubt, this site should be included on an itinerary when visiting Prague.
Prague has an amazing public transportation system, so it’s easy to visit as a half-day trip from Prague.
Prague to Lidice By Bus
The bus departs from the tram station: Nádraží Veleslavín. Exit the tram station upstairs to where the buses depart from.
Nádraží Veleslavín station is on the GREEN LINE in Praha 6.
The most DIRECT bus from Nádraží Veleslavín is bus #300. In about 15 minutes and only 4 stops, the bus drops right across the street from the Lidice Memorial. The bus runs frequently. Make sure to exit at bus stop Lidice Památník.
Additionally, bus number #322 drops at Lidice Pamatnik, but takes around 40 minutes.
➜Verify the bus schedule here, or download the slick IDOS.CZ app for your phone
The bus station is found just across the road 61. Be mindful that you will have to cross the road to reach the memorial.
Prague to Lidice By Car
If planning a road trip through the Czech Republic, it’s easy to rent a car and drive. Lidice is only a 45-minute drive from the heart of Prague.
Additionally, Lidice is just past the airport, where most people opt to pick up a rental car. From the Prague Airport to the Lidice Memorial is only about a 10-minute drive.
There is a parking lot in front of the memorial that also offers two fast-food restaurants.
A Brief History of Lidice During World War II
Lidice was a town of only 500 inhabitants, and it was destroyed by the Nazis after the death of their police chief Heydrich. Heydrich was mortally wounded by Czechoslovak parachutists.
Hitler, in an act of desperation for the retaliation, ordered Lidice to be destroyed. This was all based on rumors of Lidice having a distant connection to the parachutists. All of the 173 male inhabitants were dragged from their homes and shot in masses.
With all of their men dead, the women spoke of true horrors as the Nazis forcefully ripped their children from their arms. The Nazis made promises to the women that the children would be delivered to them within a few days upon arrival at their work camps.
The women were sent to work camps, bearing the red triangle of political prisoners. They arrived at the camp frantically, searching for their children, children that would never come.
The Lidice Memorial is a haunting tribute to the innocent victims of Lidice. The Nazis tried to erase this town by burning it to the ground, consequently, killing most of its population. They even went as far as digging up those already dead and looting their graves.
Lidice was meant to vanish forever, but it lives on, in the form of the touching Lidice Memorial and through the other villages around the world that carry the name Lidice, as a token of remembrance.
Things to See at the Lidice Memorial
The Lidice Memorial can be visited over a few hours. Here are some of the highlights and things to see when visiting Lidice Memorial.
Permanent Lidice Memorial
The memorial sits hovering over where the village’s foundation sat 75 years ago. The Lidice monument is modest and houses a simple, yet very emotional, museum.
While it’s free to wander the memorial grounds and stroll the ground, don’t bypass the Lidice Museum. It is small, but the information is startling and educational.
The permanent exhibit is called And Those Innocent Were Guilty. First, a visit to the Lidice Memorial starts with a brief movie about the history of the village. There is a lot of common-day footage, a realization that this village did not know the fate it would soon suffer.
After the video, walk through the modern, yet educational museum. The most powerful piece of the museum can be viewed at the exit, where a sorrowful video of all the women survivors plays on repeat. Their pain tells of not only surviving Lidice but of their harsh lives at the work camps.
One of the hardest parts to hear is their melancholy stories of the realization that their children had been massacred and would never come home. I don’t think anyone left the room with a dry eye.
Walk the Memorial Grounds
After the powerful permanent exhibit at the Lidice Memorial, walk through the grounds. There are pieces of remaining foundations with well-labeled plaques, so as to get a feel of what the village looked like before that fateful day that would change everything.
It was a bit of a surprise to see lots of families out enjoying the Memorial Grounds. Families were riding their bikes around the park’s many trails. I even saw some children splashing and playing in a small stream.
Something devastating had happened here only 75 years ago, but now this space was bringing joy to families and offered a place of solidarity. This gave me a little peace of mind and helped me cope with the weight of grief.
The Children’s War Victims Monument
One of the most moving pieces at the Lidice Memorial is the Children’s War Victims Monument. The monument is dedicated to the 88 children who perished after the devastation of Lidice.
Sadly, of the 105 children in the village, only 9 were chosen to be selected for “Germanization.” Another 7 children were sent to an Orphanage. The rest of the 88 children were held for a short period while wearing only the clothes on their backs.
The children were told to write letters to distant relatives. Some letters are on display at the permanent exhibit at the museum. All the children ask for is shoes and an extra set of clothing. One heartbreaking letter asks for the crumbs of bread usually fed to the rabbits.
The letters were sent to their relatives. The next day, all these children were exterminated by gas on their way to Chelmno. The families who received these pleading letters didn’t even realize that the children were long dead.
The statues seem to capture the children’s confusion in their eyes. Their look of fear pulled at all my heartstrings and is still embedded in my mind. The monument is lovingly showered with children’s toys and trinkets adding tenderness and humanity to the harshness of the memorial.
Don’t Skip the Gallery and Rose Garden
Next, head to the Gallery. It is only a 10-minute walk from the Memorial and in the new part of Lidice. It’s convenient to walk through the Rose Garden on the way. The Rose Garden pays tribute to cities like Lidice who were targets of destruction during WWII.
The Gallery consists of two floors, of that, the first floor houses the permanent exhibition. The art showcased here was dedicated to Lidice by artists from all corners of the world.
A local artist was instrumental in the creation of the gallery. Her daunting words sent chills down my spine and echoed in my mind.
The second floor of the Galley houses “The International Children’s Exhibition of Fine Arts Lidice.” This annual event was started in 1967 and is a commemorative to the children who were killed in Lidice, and all other children who continue to suffer and die from wars across the globe.
Children from all corners of the world submit their artwork for a yearly theme. Walking up to the second floor was so colorful and bright, a touching tribute to those innocents who are taken so young.
Stop by the House Museum (House #116)
Near the Gallery is a house that was used by the women when they finally returned to what was left of their demolished village. The house focuses on the rebuilding of Lidice by these incredibly strong women. The small house offers insights into how the women came together to rebuild their community.
It is important to note that of the 500 inhabitants, only 153 women and 17 children returned to Lidice.
Practical Information for Visiting the Lidice Memorial
The entrance fee to Lidice Memorial includes the permanent exhibit in the museum, the worthwhile Galley, House #116, the grounds, and the rose garden.
- Cost: 150 CZK ($6.50 USD)
- Guided tours are available for purchase by the hour.
Lidice Memorial | Find it Here: Tokajická 152, 273 54 Lidice, Czechia | Hours: Daily, 9:00 – 17:00 | Official website of the Lidice Memorial
Plan on a visit to Lidice Memorial taking at least 1.5 hours. Most visitors end up spending around 3 hours touring the grounds, visiting the museum, and touring the gallery and house.
Interested in More World War II History near Prague?
There are many sights in the Czech Republic that highlight the tragic history of World War II. The Terezin Memorial was a propaganda tool and work camp for many imprisoned Jewish people and those against the Germans.
In Pilsen, visit the Patton Memorial, which highlights the liberation of Pilsen. Yes, this is the same Pilsen famous for the Pilsner Urquell Brewery.
➜ Those travelers who feel more comfortable visiting sites with a guide can book this Operation Anthropoid Tour in Prague, which also includes a stop at the Lidice Monument.
How to Return to Prague from Lidice
After touring the Lidice Memorial, simply drive back to Prague or cross 61 and wait for the next bus. Buses are frequent and are found on the opposite side of the street where you were dropped off.
Conclusion | A Somber Visit to the Lidice Memorial
In conclusion, a visit to Lidice Memorial will stir many emotions. One thing is for certain, it is a touching memorial to those who lost everything, and the few who returned to help rebuild their home.
With the heartbreaking museum, honorary statues, rose gardens, and a gallery that displays remembrance in the form of artistic creativity, a visit to Lidice Memorial should not be skipped. It is a beautiful and powerful tribute to those who were the innocent victims of hate.
Although hard to visit, the Lidice Memorial is worth visiting, especially with its close proximity to Prague.
I have to admit, I only heard about Lidice and the tragic story that unfolded here, after living in Prague for over a month, but I highly recommend a visit to both Lidice Memoria and the Terezín Memorial. We must never forget this tragic past, especially as we continue to navigate similar situations in the modern-day world.
Have you visited the Lidice Memorial? If you feel comfortable, please share your experiences in the comments below.
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