Austro-Prussian War of 1866
The Austro-Prussian War of 1866 significantly affected Trutnov. Here on June 27th, after fierce fighting and huge losses, the Austrian troops won but only this one time. However, the whole war was lost. The Austrians were commanded here by General Ludwig von Gablenz, who is buried here. However, the victory did not bring Trutnov much good, because the defeated Prussians dragged the town mayor and other important burghers into captivity and blamed them for their defeat.
War
The Austro-Prussian War of 1866 was sparked by the German Confederation. The victory of Prussia over Austria led to the establishment of Austria-Hungary monarchy and to the hegemony of Prussia in the North German Confederation and later to the unification of Germany but without Austria.
One of the most important battles took place in the hills near Trutnov on June 27, 1866. Fierce fighting took place especially at Šibeník and Janský vrch (Šibeník is a lookout tower and a memorial to Gen. Gablenz, Janský vrch is the chapel of St. John the Baptist called Janská kaple with a small military cemetery).
First of all, the Prussians arrived in Trutnov and set up their camp, thinking that the enemy was still very far away. That was confirmed to them by the town mayor, who had no idea at that time that the Austrians were fast approaching.
And then the fierce battle started. The surprised Prussians did not know where the bullets were coming from, but of course they immediately took up their positions. The fighting spread around the city and lasted for many hours. During these long hours, a huge number of men died on both sides. At that time, almost 60,000 infantry, more than 4,000 cavalry and 25 artillery batteries stood against each other. One of the heaviest shootouts took place on Janský vrch hill. The Austrians cost their victory over 4,000 dead and wounded, on Prussians side there was about 1,400 dead or captured soldiers.
The winning army was under the leadership of Ludwig Freiherr von Gablenz and defeated army under the leadership of Adolf von Bonin.
The educational trail the Day of the Battle of Trutnov on June 27, 1866, including the detailed descriptions of individual events, is dedicated to the battle.
Ludwig Freiherr von Gablenz
He was a baron, Austrian Field Marshal, and holder of the Maria Theresa War Cross. He was born in 1814 and from 1833 he served in the Austrian army, which gave him a great career. He was able to recognize at the right time that Austria was not well armed against the Prussian army and its equipment was outdated. Although he drew attention to this reality, he had no choice but to command such troops as he had at his disposal.
In 1871 he left military service and settled in Switzerland. He left the world voluntarily on January 28, 1874. He was outlived by his wife Helena and children Dyonis, Heinrich and Mathilda.
The winner of the Battle of Trutnov gen. Gablenz returned to his dead comrades-in-arms on September 28, 1905 and is still resting in the crypt of a cast iron monument on Šibeník Hill.
The war consequences - 80 days of captivity
When the town mayor Hieronymus Roth assured the Prussians of their safety, he had no idea that Austrian troops had already approached the city. Surprised Prussians believed that the sudden shooting came from some local houses where enemies were hiding. They considered it a betrayal. They immediately began searching all the houses, including the church and the dean's office. Even though they didn't find anyone, they still stood their ground. They were convinced that the betrayal is a betrayal and must be punished. They captured 19 town council people and the mayor and dragged them to the Prussian fortress Hlohov. The poor people spent almost 3 months here in fear for their lives. It wasn't until 80 days later that they returned home.
