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General and historical info

The Vojna memorial, once a prison camp, is now a museum dedicated to the victims of communism. 
It is located in the woods 5km south of Příbram, in a place known for its minerals, such as iron, silver, and uranium, and takes its name from the nearby Vojna hill.

Initially established as a camp for German prisoners of war from 1947 to 1949, it later became a prison for political opponents of the communist regime.

As German prisoners were required to be deported to Germany under international agreements in the late 1940s, the camp began to empty.
Following the communist coup of February 1948, the camp administration started filling the area with political prisoners of the new regime.

These inmates were primarily political opponents with anti-communist ideals and supporters of democracy, labeled as “class enemies” and detained illegally.
They were sentenced in show trials on charges of treason, espionage, subversion, and attempting to flee the country without authorisation.
Additionally, others who served their sentences at Vojna included individuals convicted for what was known as black trade.

The prisoners were employed in uranium extraction work at the nearby mine, and in maintenance of the camp, including its expansion.
Over time, Vojna evolved into becoming the largest forced labor camp for uranium mining in Czechoslovakia.

Starting from May 1950, the site was secured by a special unit of the SNB (Sboru Národní Bezpečnosti, the Czechoslovak police).
In 1951, a reorganization transformed the Vojna forced labor camp into a prison, which operated until its closure on 1 June 1961. This decision was prompted by a decrease in prisoners following the amnesty in 1960.

The remaining inmates were transferred to labor camps in nearby areas, and the Vojna complex was used by the Czechoslovak and then Czech army from 1961 until 2000.

What to see in Vojna

Given that Vojna is the last location where authentic prison structures from the era of communist persecution still remain, the Czech government decided to transform the site into a memorial.

As a result, in 1999, it was decided that the camp would be incorporated into the Příbram Mining Museum, serving as a place of reflection and reverence to commemorate the suffering endured during the communist period.

Although the history of the prison camp was brief, it is crucial to preserve awareness of its existence and of the events that took place there for future generations.
In January 2001, Vojna was designated a cultural monument, and after an extensive reconstruction, it opened to the public in 2005.

The exhibitions explore the persecution after February 1948, the anti-communist resistance, and the history of uranium mining.
Among the sixteen most historically significant surviving buildings that still stand, the following are open to visitors:

  • The camp headquarters building
  • The correctional facility
  • The bunker
  • A living quarters building
  • The cultural center
  • The former prison infirmary
  • One of the guard towers

Some buildings host exhibitions that display original letters, clothing, newspaper clippings, and other artifacts.
These items introduce the history of uranium mining, the persecution that occurred after February 1948, and the anti-communist resistance.

A particularly bitter irony is that many heroes of the anti-fascist resistance were imprisoned here alongside their adversaries, including Hitler’s war criminals, members of the former Nazi regime, collaborators, and traitors.

On the official website, you’ll find all the information about visiting the Vojna site, including the updated opening hours.

How to get there

If you travel by car, there is a free parking in front of the entrance.

Otherwise, by public transport you first reach Příbram (by train or by bus) and then take a bus from there to Zavržice. From the bus stop it is a short walk of around 2km to Vojna.
Another option is to reach Lešetice by bus from Příbram and then walk for 2.5km following the yellow marked path until the site entrance.

Remember to always check the actual timetable before planning your trip.