The original 1931 statue suffered significant damage from lightning strikes and acidic rain, necessitating its move indoors in 1980.
Albín Polášek, the sculptor, was born in the nearby town of Frenštát pod Radhoštěm before emigrating to the United States.
The replica statue was crafted from fine-grained granite to increase resistance against the freezing and thawing cycles of the Beskids.
Radegast is often associated with the ancient Slavic cult of the sun and agricultural prosperity.
The statue was financed through a public fundraising campaign led by expatriate Czechs living in Chicago.
The Statue of Radegast is a 3.2-meter tall granite sculpture depicting the Slavic god of hospitality, fertility, and sun, located in the Beskids mountain range. Designed by Albín Polášek, an American sculptor of Czech origin, the statue was unveiled in 1931. The original sculpture is kept in the town hall of Frenštát pod Radhoštěm due to severe weather erosion caused by the harsh mountain climate. The outdoor monument currently on the mountain is a high-quality replica installed in 1998. It stands near the hiking trail connecting the mountain saddle of Pustevny with Mount Radhošť. The statue features the god holding a bull's head and a horn of plenty, representing his role as a deity of abundance. It remains a symbolic landmark of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids region.
Position yourself slightly below the statue to capture the carving against the open sky and mountain horizon.
Wear sturdy hiking footwear as the path to the statue is unpaved and can be uneven.
Check mountain weather forecasts before visiting, as the ridge is exposed to sudden wind and temperature drops.
Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens to capture the statue against the mountainous backdrop.
Do not attempt to climb or touch the statue, as the porous stone is susceptible to oils and physical damage.
Respect the site by staying on designated paths to preserve the surrounding alpine vegetation.
