Źameček Memorial
The Źameček Memorial in Pardubice commemorates the 194 victims executed by the Nazis in 1942, preserving the site as a place of remembrance, education and reflection.
The Źameček Memorial, located in Pardubice in the Czech Republic, is a solemn place of remembrance dedicated to the victims of Nazi terror during the Second World War. This historic site marks the location where, in 1942, following the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, 194 people were executed by Nazi forces as part of brutal reprisals against the local population.
Once the site of a former gamekeeper’s lodge, Źameček became one of the most significant execution grounds in the region during the Nazi occupation. Today, the memorial complex preserves the original grounds and commemorates the victims through a carefully designed memorial that invites quiet reflection and collective remembrance.
Visitors to the Źameček Memorial can learn about the tragic events that took place here through a small but powerful exhibition that presents photographs, documents and personal stories of those who lost their lives. Outdoor information panels and guided tours help visitors understand the historical context and the role this site played during the reprisals that followed the events of Operation Anthropoid.
The memorial is an important place for education and public memory. It regularly hosts commemorative ceremonies, educational visits and programmes for schools that help younger generations learn about the impact of Nazi occupation on local communities and the enduring importance of standing up for freedom and human rights.
As a candidate for the European Museum Academy’s Luigi Micheletti Award, the Źameček Memorial stands out for its dedication to preserving this historic site as a space for truth-telling, reflection and respect for the victims. It shows how places of tragedy can become meaningful places of learning, and how museums and memorials can keep history alive in ways that encourage remembrance and responsibility.