Vojtěch (Adalbert) Lanna statue

In the city park between Kanovnická and Lannova streets stands a bronze statue of Vojtěch Lanna, a prominent industrialist from České Budějovice who was instrumental in making the Vltava navigable and in introducing railroads in the Czech Lands. The memorial was made in 1879 by Viennese sculptor Franz Pönninger. The monument has survived several political regimes. It withstood both World Wars, which was not easy since bronze sculptures and bells were confiscated in both to make weapons. The statue survived the German occupation. It even witnessed the liberation, but was then torn down by Soviet Army engineers soon thereafter on the night of 24 May 1945. The German inscriptions on the pedestal were the reason given for the demolition. The statue of Vojtěch Lanna was ceremonially re-erected in 1993.