Map of Austria-Hungary in 1914. The itinerary of Švejk took place entirely within the borders of the Dual Monarchy.
"The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Švejk" is a novel which contains a wealth of geographical references - either directly through the plot, in dialogues or in the authors own observations. Jaroslav Hašek was himself unusually well travelled and had a photographic memory of geographical (and other) details. It is evident that he put great emphasis on this: 8 of the 27 chapter headlines in Švejk contain place names. In addition to the geographical names, he often refers to public houses and other institutions, which in most cases, even today, can be located.
This web page will in due course contain a full overview of all the geographical references in the novel; from Prague in the introduction to Klimontów in the unfinished Book Four. Countries, cities, towns, villages, mountains, oceans, lakes, rivers, islands, buildings, taverns and any institution that can be located geographically, are included. The list is sorted according to the order in which the names appear through the novel. The chapter headlines are from Zenny K. Sadlon's recent translation and will in most cases differ from Cecil Parrott's version from 1973. Please note that close to 150 entries have yet to be added.
- The facts are mainly taken from Internet sources but cross-verified when possible
- The quotes in Czech are copied from the online version of Švejk provided by Jaroslav Šerák and contain links to the relevant chapter
- The toolbar has links for direct access to Wikipedia, Google maps, Google search, Jaroslav Šerák and Švejk online
The names are coloured according to their role in the novel, illustrated by these examples: Sanok as a location where the plot takes place, Dubno mentioned in the narrative, Zagreb as part of a dialogue, and Pakoměřice as mentioned in an anecdote.
The Good Soldier Švejk index of places mentioned in the novel (674)
Show all
I. In the rear
1. The good soldier Švejk acts to intervene in the world war (31)
14. Švejk as military servant to senior lieutenant Lukáš (59)
II. At the front
2. Švejk's budějovická anabasis (74)
3. Švejk's happenings in Királyhida (52)
5. From Bruck on the Leitha toward Sokal (31)
III. The famous thrashing
1. Across Magyaria (44)
2. In Budapest (42)
3. From Hatvan to the borders of Galicia (64)
4. Forward March! (51)
|
I. In the rear |
 | |
11. Švejk rides with the field chaplain to serve a field mass | |||
 | New Guinea |  | |||
| |||||
New Guinea was in 1914 split between the Netherlands, the British Empire and Germany but Australian forces occupied the German part already in 1914.
New Guinea is the second largest island in the world and is located just north of Australia. Today the island is divided between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Role in the novel
New Guinea is mentioned by the author in connection with the religious rituals of cannibals, compared to current rituals related to the war. This is his introduction to Katz' og Svejk's field mass.
Quote from the novel
Lidožrouti ostrovů Guinejských a Polynesie, než sežerou slavnostně své zajatce či lidi nepotřebné, jako misionáře, cestovatele a jednatele různých obchodních firem či prosté zvědavce, obětují předtím svým bohům, vykonávajíce nejrozmanitější náboženské výkony. Poněvadž k nim nepronikla ještě kultura ornátů, vyzdobují své hyždě věnci z pestrého péří lesního ptactva. ... read more
Also written:Guinea Hašek Nová Guinea cz Neuguinea de
| Polynesia | | |||
| |||||
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The term "Polynesia" was originally applied to all the islands of the Pacific. The only major political and geographical entity is New Zealand. The American state of Hawaii is also in Polynesia. The islands are partly independent, partly belonging to other states (USA, Chile, France and Australia). Until 1914 Germany was also present (Samoa).
Role in the novel
Polynesia is named when the author expands his opinion on religious rituals.
Quote from the novel
Lidožrouti ostrovů Guinejských a Polynesie, než sežerou slavnostně své zajatce či lidi nepotřebné, jako misionáře, cestovatele a jednatele různých obchodních firem či prosté zvědavce, obětují předtím svým bohům, vykonávajíce nejrozmanitější náboženské výkony. ... read more
Also written:Polynésie cz Polynesien de Polynésie fr
| Spain | | |||
| |||||
Spain was in 1914 a kingdom and preserved its neutrality throughout the world war. Conflicts with Germany occurred because some Spanish ships were sunk, but there was never any armed action taken from the Spanish side.
Spain is today a constitutional monarchy with Madrid as its capital. The number of inhabitants is around 40 million. It is member of EU and NATO and the currency is Euro.
Role in the novel
Spain is mentioned by the author when he tells about methods for executing people, and accompanying rituals where clerics take part. In this case there is talk "of a chair where the victim is strangled", certainly the garrote (el garrote). This execution device has been in use until present times, and not only in Spain.
The country was mentioned indirectly already in [I.2] through the term "the Spanish boot", an instrument of torture. Some geographical points in Spain also appear in the novel: Madrid, Toledo and Seville. Amongst historical figures Ignatius of Loyola is the only one referred to. Literary figures on the other hand are better represented: Don Quijote, Sancho Panza and the still unidentified Duke of Almavira and his servant Fernando.
Quote from the novel
V Prusku vodil pastor ubožáka pod sekyru, v Rakousku katolický kněz k šibenici, ve Francii pod gilotinu, v Americe kněz na elektrickou stolici, ve Španělsku na židli, kde byl důmyslným způsobem uškrcen, a v Rusku bradatý pop revolucionáře atd. ... read more
Also written:Španělsko cz Spanien de España es
| Bremen | | |||
| |||||
Bremen is a city and port in north west Germany, 60 km south of the mouth of the river Weser. During the times of Švejk it had status as a "Freie Hansestadt" (Free Hanseatic city). Although Švejk says he has been to Bremen, there is no evidence that the author himself ever went there, so it is not clear what might have inspired this story.
What Jaroslav Hašek no doubt was well informed about was the Bremer Räterepublik from early 1919, one of the two best known Soviet Republics on German territory. The revolutionary republic lasted for only one month.
Role in the novel
Bremen is mentioned by Švejk when tells Otto Katz that he learnt to make grog in Bremen. He was there on his wanderings a few years back. Bremen is one of the few places outside Bohemia Švejk says he has been to.
Quote from the novel
„Když jsem před léty vandroval,“ odpověděl Švejk, „v Brémách od jednoho zpustlýho námořníka, který říkal, že grog musí být tak silný, aby, když někdo spadne do moře, přeplaval celej kanál La Manche. Po slabým grogu se utopí jako štěně.“ ... read more
Also written:Brémy cz
| English Channel | | |||
| |||||
English Channel is a strip of sea that separates England and France. It is part of the Atlantic Ocean, and connects this to the North Sea. The channel is at its narrowest between Dover and Calais where it is 34 km wide.
Role in the novel
English Channel is mentioned when Švejk tells Otto Katz that grog must be so string that one can swim across the Channel with one a these inside.
Quote from the novel
„Když jsem před léty vandroval,“ odpověděl Švejk, „v Brémách od jednoho zpustlýho námořníka, který říkal, že grog musí být tak silný, aby, když někdo spadne do moře, přeplaval celej kanál La Manche. Po slabým grogu se utopí jako štěně.“ ... read more
Also written:Kanál La Manche cz Ärmelkanal de fr fr
| Mödling | | |||
| |||||
Mödlinger Rathaus
Mödling is a town in Niederösterreich, with a population number (in 2007) of around 21,000. The town is situated 16 kilometers south of Vienna and is often called Perle des Wienerwaldes.
Witinger allegedly ran 40 km in 1 hours 48 minutes, which suggests that the author's imagination was in full flow or that he knew facts that have been lost for later generations. The marathon (41,185 meters) world record is 2.03.59 and was claimed by Haile Gebrselassie in Berlin in 2008. This is the first example in the novel of the author's disregard for chronological accuracy. Obviously he could also have got the distance wrong, the actual distance between the towns (16 km) gives an indication.
Role in the novel
Mödling is mentioned by the author in connection with the race Vienna - Mödling where senior lieutenant Witinger had won the cup that Otto Katz used as a chalice at the field mass. Witinger reportedly ran 40 km in 1 hour 48 minutes.
Quote from the novel
Tak dostaneme sportovní pohár od nadporučíka Witingra od 75. pluku. On kdysi před lety běhal o závod a vyhrál jej za ,Sport-Favorit’. Byl to dobrý běžec. Dělal čtyřicet kilometrů Vídeň-Mödling za 1 hodinu 48 minut, jak se nám vždycky chlubí. Jsem hovado, že všechno odkládám na poslední chvíli. Proč jsem se, trouba, nepodíval do té pohovky.“ ... read more
| Zhoř | | |||
| |||||
Zhoř is the name of several places in Bohemia. Forfattaren har nok kjendt til dei fleste av desse, så det er uvisst kva for ein han meiner. Ein må likevel gå ut frå at det er frå distrikt han kjende godt f.eks Vysošina eller Sør-Bohemia. Zhoř ved Vilémov er ein klår kandidat ettersom den er nemnd i same anekdote-rekkja som Chotěboř.
Role in the novel
Zhoř is mentioned in an anecdote Švejk tells the priest in Vršovice, where he implicitely threatns with the worst if the field altar, the property of the army, doesn't appear again. The place is mentioned again later in the story about Špatina in [III.2].
Quote from the novel
Jeden člověk ve Zhoři taky vyoral nějakej kalich na poli, kterej pocházel ze svatokrádeže a byl tam schovanej na lepší doby, až se na to zapomene, a považoval to taky za pokyn boží a šel, místo aby jej rozšmelcoval, k panu faráři s tím kalichem, že prý ho chce darovat kostelu. ... read more
| Chotěboř | | ||||
| ||||||
Chotěboř is a town in Vysočina with 9,633 inhabitants (2011). It is located 14 km north east of Havlíčkův Brod and belongs to the district of that same name.
Role in the novel
Chotěboř is mentioned in Švejk's conversation with the priest in Vršovice, relating to a certain Pivoňka.
Quote from the novel
Nějakej Pivoňka z Chotěboře považoval jednou také za boží řízení, když se mu do rukou připletla ohlávka s cizí krávou. ... read more
| Zambezi | | |||
| |||||
Zambezi is Africa's fourth longest river and flows from west to east in the southern part of Africa.
Role in the novel
Zambezi is mentioned in the author's description of the field altar, which just as well could have been used by pagans from that area.
Quote from the novel
Nebylo také možno zjistit bez fantasie, co vlastně představují obrazy namalované na těch třech dílech. Jisto je, že to byl oltář, kterého by mohli stejně používat nějací pohani na Zambezi či šamáni Burjatů i Mongolů. ... read more
Also written:Sambesi de
| Buryatia | | ||||
| ||||||
Gusinoye Ozero
Buryatia is a republic in Siberia between Baikal-sjøen and Mongolia. The Burjats is a people of mongolian descent, no in a minority in the republic. In 1923 Buryatia became an autonomous Soviet republic (ASSR). The capital is Ulan-Ude and the Trans-siberian railway goes through the republic.
In 1920 Jaroslav Hašek ran propaganda activities amongst the Burjats and even taught himself some of the language. It is proven that he visited the region and at least got as far as Гусиное Озеро (Gusinoye Ozero), close to the Mongolian border.
Source: Pavel Gan
Role in the novel
Buryatia is mentioned in the authors description of the field altar which according to him just as well could have been used by Buryat and Mongol shamans.
Quote from the novel
Nebylo také možno zjistit bez fantasie, co vlastně představují obrazy namalované na těch třech dílech. Jisto je, že to byl oltář, kterého by mohli stejně používat nějací pohani na Zambezi či šamáni Burjatů i Mongolů. ... read more
Also written:Буряад Республика bu Burjatsko cz Burjatien de Республика Бурятия ru
| Mongolia | | ||||
| ||||||
Gers in Songal, Northern Mongolia
Mongolia is a republic in Asia between Russia and China and broke away from China in 1911. During the Russian civil war Mongolia changed hands several time, but from 1921 the communists led by Damdin Sükhbaatar got the upper hand, something that led to nearly 70 years of communist rule and strong links to the Soviet Union. A legacy from this period is the use of the Cyrillic alphabet.
In 1920 Jaroslav Hašek was involved on the periphery of the political struggle for Mongolia and he indeed knew Sükhbaatar in person. In the story Malé nedorozumění he writes that he travelled all the way to Urga (now Ulaanbaatar), but this story has not been verified and is surely an example of "mystifikace".
Source: Pavel Gan
Role in the novel
Mongolia is mentioned by Jaroslav Hašek in his description of the field altar "that just as well could have meen used by Buryatian and Mongolian shamans".
Quote from the novel
Nebylo také možno zjistit bez fantasie, co vlastně představují obrazy namalované na těch třech dílech. Jisto je, že to byl oltář, kterého by mohli stejně používat nějací pohani na Zambezi či šamáni Burjatů i Mongolů. ... read more
Also written:Mongolsko cz Mongolei de Монгол Улс mn Монголия ru
| Kostel svatého Mikuláše | | |||||
| Komenského nám. 84/-, Vršovice | |||||||
| |||||||
Kostel svatého Mikuláše is a catholic church in Vršovice. It is in baroque style and was built in 1704. The vicarage is next door to the church. The address information shows that František Dusil was vicar in 1907.
Role in the novel
Kostel svatého Mikuláše is implicitly mentioned when Švejk and Katz go to Vršovice to recuperate the field altar which was hidden inside the sofa Katz had sold. Two spots are mentioned: the vicarage and the sacristy.
Quote from the novel
Jestli farář tvrdil, že polní oltář nepatří do pohovky, polní kurát se zmiňoval o tom, že tím méně podle toho patří z pohovky do sakristie kostela, kam chodí samí civilisté. Švejk činil při tom různé poznámky, že je lehko obohacovat chudý kostel na účet vojenského eráru. „Chudý“ řekl v uvozovkách. Nakonec šli do sakristie kostela a farář vydal polní oltář pod touto zápiskou: Přijal jsem polní oltář, který se náhodou dostal do chrámu ve Vršovicích. Polní kurát Otto Katz ... read more
| Břevnovský klášter | | |||||
| Markétská ul. 1/-, Břevnov | |||||||
| |||||||
Břevnovský klášter is a Benedictine monastery in Břevnov, Prague. It was founded in 933 and was the first of its kind in Bohemia. The architectural style is baroque and hails from the 18th century. Today "Hotel Adalbert" and restaurant "Klášterní šenk" are both found on the monastery's premises.
Role in the novel
Břevnovský klášter is mentioned because Katz and Švejk got their equipment for the field mass here: monstrance, ciborium and a bottle of mass wine.
Quote from the novel
Neboť ještě jeli pro sportovní kalich k nadporučíku Witingrovi a potom pro monstranci, ciborium a jiné příslušnosti ke mši do břevnovského kláštera, včetně i láhve mešního vína. ... read more
| Posázaví | | ||||
| ||||||
View from Lipnice across the Sázava valley
Posázaví is a region in the Vysočina region, and is the name of the area by the river Sázava. The river flows from east to west, the source is the lake Velké Dářko and it flows into the Vltava by Davle south of Prague.
This was an area Jaroslav Hašek knew very well from the time he lived in Lipnice nad Sázavou (25.8 1921 - 3.1 1923).
Role in the novel
Posázaví is mentioned by the author when he describes the field altar and where he compares some of its motives with the landscape by the Sázava.
Quote from the novel
Vojáci se vždy hádali a luštili ten rebus. Někdo myslel dokonce, že je to krajinka z Posázaví. ... read more
|
|
I. In the rear |
| |
11. Švejk rides with the field chaplain to serve a field mass | |||
| © 2012 Jomar Hønsi | Last updated: 22/5-2013 | hits since 5/11-2009. | Statistics |
|
