Hornberg Castle is a historic fortification located in the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany. The castle, which is situated on a hill above the town of Hornberg, dates back to the 13th century and has played a significant role in the history of the region.
The castle was first built in the early 13th century as a defensive fortress, and it was used to control the surrounding territory and protect the people of the region from invaders. Over the centuries, the castle was expanded and renovated, and it eventually became a residence for the local nobles.
The Jan Hus Memorial stands at one end of Old Town Square. The huge monument depicts victorious Hussite warriors and Protestants who were forced into exile 200 years after Hus, and a young mother who symbolises national rebirth. The monument was so large that the sculptor designed and built his own villa and studio where the work could be carried out. It was unveiled in 1915 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus' martyrdom. The memorial was designed by Ladislav Šaloun and paid for solely by public donations.
Born in 1369, Hus became an influential religious thinker, philosopher, and reformer in Prague. He was a key predecessor to the Protestant movement of the sixteenth century. In his works he criticized religious moral decay of the Catholic Church. Accordingly, the Czech patriot Hus believed that mass should be given in the vernacular, or local language, rather than in Latin. He was inspired by the teachings of John Wycliffe.