Mini-sculpture “Jihlava Hedgehogs”
🕒 Date of last update of the article: 16.02.2024 at 7:00 p.m | 🖋 Author: Viktor Shatrov
This group of mini-sculptures was installed in the city of Uzhhorod in May 2013. This event was timed to coincide with the Days of Czech Culture. The fact is that hedgehogs are a symbol of the Czech city of Jihlava, which is a twin city of Uzhhorod. In addition, hedgehogs are a symbol of the Hedgehog beer brewed in Jihlava. The opening of these sculptures was attended by the mayors of Uzhhorod and Jihlava. Initially, there were four hedgehog sculptures, but one, the smallest, was presented to the mayor of Jihlava. The authors of the sculptural group, sculptor Mykhailo Kolodko and blacksmith Vasyl Kryvanych, placed their Jihlava hedgehogs on the metal railing of Kyivska embankment opposite the fifth school (GPS: 48.622293, 22.294021).
Photos and video of the mini-sculpture “Jihlava Hedgehogs”
| 🗺 Location |
N48°37′21″ E22°17′39″ |
| 🗽 Opening date |
May 2013 |
| 🧑 Sculptor |
Mykhailo Kolodko |
| 🧑 Blacksmith |
Vasyl Kryvanych |
| 🧭 Distance from the center of Uzhhorod |
Near |
| 🚙 Road for |
Car, on foot |
| 🏕 Stop with a tent |
No |
| 🏡 Housing nearby |
Uzhhorod |
| ☕ Cafes and shops |
Uzhhorod |
Briefly about the city of Jihlava
The Czech city of Jihlava is located in the southeast of the country on the Jihlava River of the same name. It was first mentioned in chronicles in 1233. In 2010, it became a sister city of Uzhhorod.
This picturesque Czech town was once a centre of silver mining. During the real silver rush, Jihlava was one of the largest, most beautiful and richest Czech cities, where art, crafts, science and trade flourished.
The Legend of the Hedgehogs Sculpture Group
The original legend about this mini-sculpture was written by Nadiya Popadiuk in her book Uzhhorod – the World Capital of Mini-Sculptures. According to the legend, from the very beginning of the construction of the oldest church in Transcarpathia, the Horyany Rotunda, it was guarded by whole flocks of hedgehogs, animals endowed with wisdom, magic and healing properties in folk beliefs. The fame of this amazing and unique church reached King Přemysl Otakar II, the founder of Jihlava, himself. He was amazed by the story of the little hedgehogs, the guardians of the rotunda. Possessing silver ores and knowing that the deposits of the noble metal could be exhausted in the future, he ordered his soldiers to go to the magic church to take some of the hedgehogs and bring them to Jihlava to protect his city as well. In exchange for 300 hedgehogs, the king gave the church 300 silver coins. The animals quickly adapted to the new conditions, their population increased and they moved from the mines to the banks of the Jihlava River, and then to gardens and parks. Over time, they became a real symbol of the city. At the request of the clergy, a local sculptor melted down the Jihlava coins donated by the king and made three hedgehogs, which were installed on the railing of the Uzh river embankment to commemorate the world fame of the Horyany Rotunda and its little guardians, to the delight of the residents and visitors of Uzhhorod.
How to get to the Hedgehogs mini-sculpture in Uzhhorod?
| 🔰 Start |
From the Buffalo Bill mini-sculpture |
| 🚶 Distance on foot (via Kyiv Embankment) |
400 m |
| 🕒 Approximate time |
5 minutes |
| ⬆ Rise |
Mostly without ups and downs |
All Uzhhorod mini-sculptures
Скульптури
The grand opening of this romantic attraction took place in Uzhhorod on 14 December 2015. The mini-sculpture "Kristina Chaki and
Скульптури
The mini-sculpture was unveiled in Uzhhorod on 22 December 2014 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the invention
Скульптури
This mini-sculpture was unveiled on 10.03.2016. It is located in Uzhhorod near the pedestrian bridge on the Kyivska embankment. It
Скульптури
This mini-sculpture is an imitation of a railing tied in a knot. Mykhailo Kolodko decided to perpetuate the memory of
Скульптури
The group of mini-sculptures was installed in Uzhhorod in May 2013. The event was timed to coincide with the Days
Скульптури
The mini-sculpture of Ferenc Liszt was installed on the railing of Botanichna Embankment opposite the Philharmonic in May 2012. The
Скульптури
The mini-sculpture in the form of a bronze TV set with a famous work was installed in Uzhhorod on 02.12.17
Скульптури
The Uzhgorod mini-sculpture "Napoleon" appeared relatively recently. It was unveiled on 5 July 2018. It became the thirty-fourth mini-sculpture in
Скульптури
The mini-sculpture was unveiled on 7 February 2015. It became the thirteenth in Uzhgorod. The sculptural composition was made in
Скульптури
The mini-sculpture of the king of pop art Andy Warhol was installed on 6 December 2014. It became the tenth
Скульптури
In June 2015, Uzhgorod joined the celebration of the Days of French Culture in Ukraine. On this occasion, sculptor Mykhailo
Скульптури
On February 17, 2015, Mykhailo Kolodko created a mini-sculpture that perpetuates the memory of Michael Strenk, an American soldier of
Скульптури
Few people know that the legendary magician and master of amazing escapes from cells and chests, Harry Houdini, has Transcarpathian
Скульптури
The mini-sculpture of the famous musician John Lord was installed in Uzhgorod on 27 November 2014. It is located on
Скульптури
The Uzhgorod mini-sculpture of the Carpathia ship is located on Teatralna Square next to Mykolaichyk on the railing of the
Скульптури
This mini-sculpture dedicated to the Hungarian poet and writer Janos Aran was installed on 25 October 2018. This mini-masterpiece by
Скульптури
The author of this bronze mini-masterpiece is Mykhailo Kolodko. He told us that the idea to erect a mini-sculpture of
Скульптури
On Koryatovycha Square, near the well-known Kobzar bookstore, there is another unusual mini-sculpture by Mykhailo Kolodko, which you can have
Скульптури
Popular unofficial names for this mini-sculpture are "Manneken Pis" or "Boy with a Jingle Boy". The mini-sculpture of the tinkling
Скульптури
The mini-monument to Prince Laborets was erected on 7 May 2016 on the walls of the Uzhhorod fortress. The monument
Скульптури
This bronze mini-sculpture by sculptor Mykhailo Kolodko and blacksmith Roman Murnyk was inaugurated on November 11, 2017 at 11 a.m.
Скульптури
Mikhailo Kolodko came up with the idea to immortalise the famous artist back in 2011. It took the author a
Скульптури
The author of this, as well as all other Uzhgorod mini-sculptures, is Mykhailo Kolodko. It was installed almost 12 years
Скульптури
Helper of St. Nicholas is the first mini-sculpture of Uzhgorod. Its author is Mykhailo Kolodko. It is located on the
Скульптури
Schweik is a world-famous character created by Czech writer Jaroslav Hasek. His work The Adventures of the Brave Soldier Schweik
Скульптури
This original mini-sculpture was opened on November 27, 2016, and became Mykhailo Kolodko's 27th miniature in Uzhgorod. Kukots is made
Скульптури
Although Peter the Great had never been to Uzhgorod, he was very fond of Transcarpathian wines. His mini-sculpture installed on
Скульптури
The sculpture of Mykola Shugai, the last of the Transcarpathian opryshks (participant of the peasant insurgent movement), was installed by
Скульптури
The mini-sculpture "Allo" was opened on September 17, 2017. It was on this day that Tivadar Puskas was born and
Скульптури
This patriotic mini-sculpture was installed on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. The author of the sculpture
Скульптури
This 29th mini-sculpture was opened in Uzhgorod on December 2, 2017. It was placed in front of the entrance to
Скульптури
The mini-sculpture "Hanukia" became the 27th in the city of Uzhgorod. This mini-masterpiece by Mykhailo Kolodka was opened on the
Скульптури
This mini-sculpture by Mykhailo Kolodko was installed on 2.09.2018 near the entrance door to the Uzhhorod Children's Art School on
Скульптури
This mini-sculpture was unveiled on 25.09.2015. It was timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the death of the
Скульптури
A mini-sculpture of Istvan Laudon with a magnolia in his hands has settled on the fence of the park of
Скульптури
This mini-sculpture of Mykhailo Kolodko became the 33rd in the city of Uzhgorod. It was installed on May 5, 2018,
Скульптури
On 1 April 2016, a mini-sculpture of a grape bunch was unveiled on the railing of Kyivska embankment in Uzhhorod.
Скульптури
This bronze mini-sculpture was installed on January 30, 2019. It is located on the railings of the Uzhhorod Hungarian building,
Скульптури
On August 25, 2019, a mini-sculpture of the Hungarian poet Istvan Dendesha was unveiled in Uzhgorod. This event was timed
Скульптури
On September 9, 2019, on the occasion of the anniversary of the opening of the Torigvel Center "Dastor", the 42nd
What’s interesting nearby?
Архітектура, Храми
An acquaintance with Uzhhorod would be incomplete without a visit to the famous Horyany Rotunda, which is one of the
Музеї
The Transcarpathian Art Museum named after Yosyp Bokshai was founded in 1948. It is located in the building of the
Замки, Музеї
The museum was founded on 20.06.1945 in Uzhgorod. At that time it was called the People's Museum of Transcarpathian Ukraine
Архітектура, Храми
One of the best examples of Transcarpathian church architecture of the past is the Church of the Archangel Michael of
Архітектура, Музеї
In 1981, the museum of the outstanding Transcarpathian artist Fedir Manailo was founded in Uzhhorod. He came from the village
Музеї
In the shadow of the castle walls of the Uzhgorod Fortress, there is a unique museum-sansen. During the 1960s and
Замки, Музеї
After the need for the defensive function of the Uzhgorod landmark disappeared, a seminary was established in the castle. Today,
Замки
Count Nandor Ploteni was one of the greatest violinists of the nineteenth century. In 1896, Ferdinand Ploteni and his large
Водойми
Healing, hot thermal water comes straight from the heart of the earth and enters the thermal pools of "Zolota Gora"
Замки
Once upon a time, a Turkish princess settled in the valley of the Uzh river, "by coincidence" also an evil
9 hours
From 850 ₴
1 day
From 5900 ₴
18 hours
From 2500 ₴
16 hours
From 3500 ₴
17 hours From 2500 ₴
18 hours
From 4450 ₴
1 day (7 hours)
From 500 ₴
2 or 3 hours
From 1100 ₴
18 hours
From 2900 ₴
5 days / 4 nights
From 4500 ₴
2 hours 15 minutes
From 150 ₴
By agreement
From 500 ₴
1 day (12 hours)
From 1100 ₴
7 days / 6 nights
From 2225 ₴
7 days / 6 nights
From 2225 ₴
1 day (10 hours)
From 1050 ₴
3 days / 2 nights
From 2295 ₴
14 hours
From 1900 ₴
10 hours
From 900 ₴
1 day (14 hours)
From 1100 ₴
1 day (8 hours)
From 950 ₴
1 day (7 hours)
From 500 ₴
1 day (8 hours)
From 800 ₴
14 hours
From 1100 ₴
1 day (10 hours)
From 900 ₴
10 hours
From 1000 ₴
2 hours
From 150 ₴
8 hours
From 450 ₴
3 days / 2 nights
From 3691 ₴
4 days / 3 nights
From 4200 ₴
4 days / 3 nights
From 3999 ₴
2 hours
From 150 ₴
2 hours
From 150 ₴
8 hours
From 800 ₴
2 days / 1 night
From 2550 ₴
2 days / 1 night
From 2391 ₴
2 days / 1 night
From 1999 ₴
2 days / 1 night
From 2650 ₴
9 hours
From 7000 ₴
3 days / 2 nights
From 5600 ₴
Upon request
From 1100 ₴
On request
From 300 ₴
3 hours
From 85 ₴
10 hours
From 950 ₴
12 hours
From 1100 ₴
10 hours
From 900 ₴
3 hours
From 400 ₴
3 hours (on request)
From 1800 ₴
10 hours
From 950 ₴
Hotel
6 Prykordonna St., Huta village
+380 ....
from 750₴/day
Hotel
Shandora Petefi Square, 4-6, Uzhgorod
+380 ....
temporarily closed
Hotel
Malokamyana street, 10, Uzhgorod
+380 ....
from 1100 ₴/night
Ужгород
вул. Миколи Гоголя, 14, Ужгород
+380 ....
від 999 ₴/ніч
Restaurant
28 Uzhanska St., Kamyanytsia village
+380 ....
Restaurant
street of Karpatska Ukraina, 98, Uzhgorod
+380 ....
Cafe
Uzhgorod, Independence embankment, 2
+380 ....
Cafe
Uzhgorod, Mynayska Street, 6A
+380 ....
Cafe
Uzhgorod, Dukhnovycha Street, 16
+380 ....
Cafe
Uzhgorod, 7 Korzo Street
+380 ....
Leisure activities nearby
Park
Uzhhorod, Bozdosh Park (Slovyanska naberezhna, 31)
+380 ....
Park
Uzhhorod, Bozdosh Park (Slovyanska naberezhna, 31)
+380 ....
Rope parks
Uzhgorod, Park of Culture and Leisure Podzamkovy
+380 ....
Bicycle rental
Uzhgorod, 9B Generala Svobody Street
+380 ....
Bicycle rental
Uzhgorod, Mukachevska street, 33
+380 ....
Bicycle rental
Uzhgorod, st. Transcarpathian, 45
+380 ....
Historian, publicist, blogger, public figure
Author of the article: Viktor Shatrov
Number of articles: 1100+
Knowledge of languages:: Ukrainian, English
Favourite quote: “Travelling – the only thing that makes you richer“
He was born and lived all his life in Uzhhorod. He graduated with a gold medal from Uzhhorod School No. 1 named after Taras Shevchenko (now Uzhhorod Lyceum named after Taras Shevchenko). He studied at the History Department of UzhNU, graduating with honours in 2009. He worked as a senior researcher at the Transcarpathian Museum of Folk Architecture and Life, a lecturer at the East European Slavic University.
