The Brno rider who amused the world: the statue of Jošt turns ten

In the very heart of Brno, the Czech Republic’s second-largest city, a monumental equestrian statue of Margrave Jošt of Luxembourg has stood since 2015. The eight-meter-tall bronze sculpture by acclaimed Czech artist Jaroslav Róna was meant to honor courage—one of the four classical virtues symbolically represented on Moravské náměstí. Instead, it became a viral sensation.

Photo: Miloš Šenkýř, Czech Radio

While the artist intended a modern interpretation of a classic equestrian monument, the public saw it differently. A photo taken from below—showing the space between the horse’s legs through which pedestrians can walk—sparked humorous associations. The shape of the horse’s head and legs, from that angle, resembles male genitals. The image spread instantly on social media, inspiring jokes, memes, and countless photo edits.

“I deliberately made the horse a mare,” Róna responded with humor. “But it seems some people only look for genitals in artworks. If they’re skilled with a camera, they’ll find them anywhere.”

Photo: Pavellllllll, Pixabay, Pixabay License

The statue quickly earned nicknames like “The Giraffe” or “Brno’s AT-AT,” referencing the robotic vehicle from Star Wars. Yet it remains a striking feature of the cityscape. Because it stands without a pedestal, people can walk freely beneath it, making it not only a work of art but also an interactive part of public space.

Jošt of Luxembourg, a 14th-century historical figure, was an important Moravian politician and diplomat. Elected King of the Romans in 1410, he died shortly thereafter. His modern statue now stands just a few meters from an older stone version that decorates the entrance to the former governor’s palace.