We praise you God
One of the famous chapters in the history of the Hussite period was the Battle of Prague between the troops led by Jan Žižka of Trocnov and the troops of the Roman Emperor Sigismund, who after the death of King Wenceslas IV (Sigismund was his younger brother) laid claim to the Czech throne. The emperor's great army, composed of mercenaries from all over Europe, laid siege to Prague. Žižka, who had come from Tabor to help the Prague citizens, as an experienced military leader realized the importance of Mount Vitkov for the defense of the city. He partially fortified himself, but because his army was disproportionately weaker, he could leave only a small garrison at the site.
All approaches to Prague, except the road leading from the Poříčská Gate under the Vítkov Mountain to Tábor, were occupied by Sigismund. In order to secure the connection between Prague and the surrounding area, Žižka had two defensive wooden log cabins built on Vítkov, protected by a small moat and surrounded by a wall. He defended this key place alone with twenty-six men, two women and one girl.
Sigismund's troops launched an attack on Prague on Sunday 14 July 1420. Vitkov was to be conquered by cavalry from Meissen and Thuringia. They made a mighty charge up to the log cabins, but met with heroic resistance from the defenders. For a long time an unequal battle raged. In this desperate situation, the Pragueers stormed through the Poříč Gate into the backs of the mercenaries. The enemy, in panic and confusion, took flight down the steep slopes, where a large part of the cavalry perished.
The painting depicts the scene when Žižka descended with his warriors from Vítkov after the victory. At the field altar, the priest from Tabor holds the host, the other priests lie there in deep humility and together thank God for granting them victory. A man sits on a wicker basket behind the altar and accompanies the prayers by playing the field organ. To the left by the road, a young warrior dresses his wounds and a Tabor woman breastfeeds a child - a symbol of the new generation. In the background on the left, the Poříč Gate can be seen with the city walls, strongly illuminated by the sun's rays. On the right, Vitkov looms, with Žižka in his red cloak standing in deep thought, thanking God for this miraculous victory. On the ground in front of him lie captured weapons and equipment.
Vita App/gnews.cz-Jan Cerna_07
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