Brno's Equestrian Statue of Margrave Jobst

The Equestrian Statue of Margrave Jobst of Luxembourg is an eight-meter-tall bronze monument located in Moravian Square in Brno, Czechia. Designed by Czech sculptor Jaroslav Róna and officially unveiled on October 28, 2015, the four-metric-ton sculpture was commissioned by the City of Brno for approximately 7 million CZK. The artwork anchors the historic walking axis connecting Freedom Square to Moravian Square and honors a powerful medieval ruler through distinctively modern public art.

A Unique Pedestal-Free Design

Unlike traditional monumental sculptures, the statue of Margrave Jobst lacks a pedestal. Sculptor Jaroslav Róna intentionally omitted a base to lower the traditional pathos associated with historic monuments. This design choice creates a playful architectural gate, allowing pedestrians to walk directly underneath the horse. The unusually long, four-meter-tall stilt-like legs have earned the sculpture local nicknames such as "The Giraffe" and "Brno's AT-AT" in reference to the Star Wars franchise.

The Viral Optical Illusion

Because the statue rises high above the pavement without a base, viewers standing beneath the monument look directly upward to see the knight in helmet and armor holding a spear and a sun-like round shield. Looking straight up from a specific vantage point directly between the horse's front legs reveals a famous optical illusion. From this angle, the horse's head and neck form a phallic shape, a sight that became a widespread viral internet meme immediately upon the statue's unveiling.

The History of Margrave Jobst

The monument depicts Jobst of Luxembourg (c. 1351/1354-1411), the nephew of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. Jobst was born, raised, and died in Brno, ruling Moravia from the city. During his reign, he restored the Brno mint and used Špilberk Castle as his seat of power. He was elected King of the Romans in 1410, shortly before his death. His remains are buried in the adjacent Church of St. Thomas, which faces the back of the equestrian statue. Nearby, the Governor's Palace also hosts an older historical stone relief of the Margrave at its portal.

An Allegory of Courage

Beyond its historical subject, the artwork officially represents Courage, or Fortitude. This addition completed Moravian Square's artistic representation of Plato's four cardinal virtues. The statue joins Justice, located at the Supreme Administrative Court, Temperance, represented by a local fountain, and Prudence, depicted by a 3D historic town map.