Štefánikova mohyla na Bradle
Mohyla na Bradle is the final resting place of the Slovak general Milan Rastislav Štefánik (1880 - 1919). It is located in Myjavská pahorkatina, at an altitude of 543 m above sea level. You will find the mound between Brezová pod Bradlom and Košariská, the birthplace of the author of famous quotes such as: "I will fight my way through, because I want to fight my way through," "Believe the truth, live the truth, and defend the truth," or “He who thinks that others will win his freedom for him is not worthy of it.”
M. R. Štefánik was an important scientist, soldier, politician (vice-chairman of the Czechoslovak National Council, minister of war), astronomer, photographer, and diplomat. He was a key figure in Slovakia, mediating contacts with French state officials and co-organizing the Czecho-Slovak Legions and the establishment of our modern statehood. Together with T. G. Masaryk and E. Beneš, they played an important role in the founding of Czecho-Slovakia.
Štefánik died tragically on May 4, 1919 near Ivanka pri Dunaji while returning to his homeland together with members of his Italian crew, who are buried alongside him on Bradlo. The mound is a masterpiece by architect Dušan Jurkovič and represents the highest standard of European monumental architectural creation. The cornerstone was laid on the fifth anniversary of Štefánik's death. The monument was solemnly unveiled on September 23, 1928. The structure has a rectangular shape. The lower terrace measures 93 x 62 m, while the upper terrace measures 45 x 32 m. Along the edges of the terrace stand four obelisks, each 12 m high. In the center of the upper terrace rises a sarcophagus with a tomb, under which Štefánik's grave is located at a depth of 8 m.
Its construction took 280 working days and costs reached an incredible 2,813,262 CZK. After the fall of the totalitarian regime, it underwent reconstruction that lasted almost 7 years, until 1996. In 1968, it was declared a national cultural monument, and in 2009, it was inscribed on the European Heritage list.
If you want to pay tribute to General Štefánik, read the text on the plaques on his tomb, or enjoy breathtaking views, the peak of Bradlo and the mound rising above it are the ideal place. You can reach the summit from the parking lot along a winding road with sharp turns. An ideal addition to this trip is a visit to Múzeum M. R. Štefánika, located in his birthplace in Košariská. Book your stay near Štefánik's Mohyla na Bradle, ideally on the page accommodation Brezová pod Bradlom or accommodation Košariská, and enjoy your trip.
