The Good Soldier Švejk

	Macedonia
Wikipedia czdeenno MapSearch

Macedonia is used as an adjective through the author's term for Alexander the Great, Alexandr Macedonský.

Background

Macedonia was an ancient kingdom with its origin in the northern part of the Greek peninsula. During the reign of Philip II of Macedon and his son Alexander the Great it became an enormous empire, stretching all the way to the river Indus. The capital at the time (400 BC to 300 BC) was Pella. Macedonia is the first of more than eight hundred geographical reference in the novel, and it appears already in the third sentence!

Quote(s) from the novel

[Úvod] Velká doba žádá velké lidi. Jsou nepoznaní hrdinové, skromní, bez slávy a historie Napoleona. Rozbor jejich povahy zastínil by slávu Alexandra Macedonského. Dnes můžete potkat v pražských ulicích ošumělého muže, který sám ani neví, co vlastně znamená v historii nové velké doby.

Also written:Macedonie Hašek Makedonie cz Makedonien de Μακεδονία gr Македонија mk

Literature

• Ancient Macedonia ancientmacedonia.com

	Prague
Wikipedia czdeennnno MapSearch Švejkova cesta

Social-Demokraten, 21.12.1920

Krásná Praha, 1907

Světozor, 20.2.1914

Prague is named 72 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Prague is mentioned already in the introduction, and later on the action of the entire first part of the novel takes place in the home city of Švejk. The author knew Prague extremely well, and he refers to nearly 140 places in the city during the novel.

The plot takes place in the districts of Nové město, Staré město, Malá Strana and Hradčany. The principal area is NME where it all starts. Švejk probably lived very close to the street Na Bojišti which is located in this area. The plot also strays into suburbs that in 1922 became part of Greater Prague: Karlín, Vršovice, Žižkov, Motol, and Břevnov. Švejk also sets many of his innumerable stories in Prague and adjoining suburbs.

Background

Prague is the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic. It is located on the river Vltava and the population is about 1.2 million. After 1648 Prague has been little exposed to warfare and as a result the old city centre is very well preserved. The city can thus offer intact architecture from several eras and is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. The inner city area has since 1992 been on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Prague was already in the Middle Ages an important city and reached its summit during the reign of Charles IV, who was also Holy Roman emperor. After Bohemia came under Habsburg rule from 1526 onwards, it gradually lost its importance and was by the outbreak of World War I reduced to being one of several Austrian regional capitals.

Prague in 1914

At the outbreak of World War I the city was much smaller than today, consisting of the districts I. Staré město, II. Nové město, III. Malá Strana, IV. Hradčany, V. Josefov, VI. Vyšehrad, VII. Holešovice-Bubny and VIII. Libeň. The city was officially called Královské hlavní město Praha (Royal Capital Prague).

The numbering of the districts differed from today's; Malá Strana, for instance, was Prague III whereas it is now part of Praha I. The population count in 1910 was appx. 224,000, with suburbs included it was 476,000. More than 90 per cent reported Czech as their mother tongue, the rest were predominantly German speakers. In 1922 several adjoining districts were incorporated into the now Czechoslovak capital. The new administrative unit became known as Velká Praha.

Hašek's home city

Jaroslav Hašek was born in Školská 16 in Praha II. 30 April 1883. He lived in Prague and the nearby districts of Vinohrady and Smíchov until February 1915. From 19 December 1920 to 25 August 1921 he also resided in the city, although mostly in Žižkov which was still to become part of the capital. Part One and the beginning of Part Two of The Good Soldier Švejk were written here from March to August 1921.

Quote(s) from the novel

[Úvod] Dnes můžete potkat v pražských ulicích ošumělého muže, který sám ani neví, co vlastně znamená v historii nové velké doby.

[II.2] Když jsem šel do Prahy pro jelita.

[II.3] Desátník vzdychl: "Ani ty faldy na mantlu neuměl si udělat, až z Prahy si vobjednával vodičky a různý mastě na čistění knoflíků, a přece takovej jeho knoflík vypadal zrzavej jako Ezau.

[II.3] „Někdy,“ řekl Švejk, „se zas v gefechtu člověku udělá špatně, člověk si něco zvoškliví. Vypravoval v Praze na Pohořelci na ,Vyhlídce’ jeden nemocnej rekonvalescent od Přemyšlu, že tam někde pod festungem přišlo k útoku na bajonety a proti němu se vobjevil jeden Rus, chlap jako hora, a mazal si to na něho s bajonetem a měl pořádnou kapičku u nosu. Jak se mu von podíval na tu kapičku, na ten vozdr, že se mu hned udělalo špatně a musel jít na hilfsplac, kde ho uznali zamořenýho cholerou a odpravili do cholerovejch baráků do Pešti, kde se taky vopravdu nakazil cholerou.“

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Baedekers Österreich 1910

Also written:Praha cz Prag de

Literature

• Za starou Prahu Klub Za starou Prahu
• Stehlíkův historický a orientační průvodce ulicemi hlavního města Prahy František Stehlík
• Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních Oddíl I. Vojtěch Kraus 1907
• Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních Oddíl II. Vojtěch Kraus 1907
• Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních Oddíl III. Vojtěch Kraus 1907
• Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních Oddíl IV. Vojtěch Kraus 1907
• Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních Oddíl V. Vojtěch Kraus 1907
• Konec bahna Prahy, I. Karel Ladislav Kukla 1927
• Konec bahna Prahy, II. Karel Ladislav Kukla 1927
• Baedekers Österreich, Prag Baedeker 1910

	Austria
Wikipedia czdeenno MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Map of Austria from 1913, here showing the recruitment districts of k.k. Landwehr.

Schematismus der K. k. Landwehr ...,  1913.

Austria is named 56 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Austria is briefly mentioned in the introduction, but plays a key role throughout the novel and is mentioned many times. The Dual Monarchy, Austria-Hungary, is the main target of Jaroslav Hašek's satire. The author mostly uses the term Austria even when referring to the entire monarchy. The bulk of the novel takes place on Austrian territory: Part One, half of Part Two, the final chapter of Part Three and all of Part Four. The rest of the plot is set in the Hungarian part of the empire.

The satire is particularly stinging in [I.15] where Švejk for the first and only time reveals his true opinion on Austria: "Such an idiotic monarchy ought not to exists on earth".

Background

Austria was the political entity that ruled Bohemia from 1526 to 1918. From 1804 to 1867 the term applied to the entire Habsburg empire, but after the Ausgleich in 1867 it applied only to the Austrian part of what had now become Austria-Hungary. Vienna was capital throughout both periods.

A much used unofficial term for Austria from 1867 to 1918 was Cisleithanien. The official name until 1915 was Die im Reichsrat vertretenen Königreiche und Länder, from 1915 again Österreich. The area was officially an empire and Kaiser Franz Joseph I. was emperor until his death in 1916. Politically it was divided in 17 crown lands that enjoyed a varying degree of autonomy.

The result of the defeat in World War I was the empire's disintegration; the area was split between the new republic of Austria, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Poland, Italy and Romania.

Quote(s) from the novel

[Úvod] A tento tichý, skromný, ošumělý muž jest opravdu ten starý dobrý voják Švejk, hrdinný, statečný, který kdysi za Rakouska byl v ústech všech občanů Českého království a jehož sláva nezapadne ani v republice.>

[I.15] A oba pokračovali dále v rozhovoru, až konečně Švejk odsoudil Rakousko nadobro slovy: „Taková blbá monarchie nemá ani na světě bejt,“ k čemuž, aby jaksi ten výrok doplnil v praktickém směru, dodal druhý: „Jak přijdu na frontu, tak se jim zdejchnu.“

[II.4] Divizijní soud ve svém přípise na velitelství našeho pluku," pokračoval plukovník, "přichází k tomu mínění, že se vlastně o nic jiného nejedná než o soustavné štvaní proti vojenským částem přicházejícím z Cislajtánie do Translajtánie.

Also written:Rakousko cz Österreich de Ausztria hu

Literature

• 1914 - 2014, 100 Jahre erster Weltkrieg Österreichisches Staatsarchiv
• Erster Weltkrieg und das Ende der Habsburgermonarchie Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H.
• Allgemeines Verzeichnis der Ortsgemeinden und Ortsschaften Österreichs K.K. Statistische Zentralkommission 1915

	Kingdom of Bohemia
Wikipedia czenno MapSearch

Ottův slovník naučný.

Kingdom of Bohemia is just about mentioned in the introduction but plays otherwise a minor role, at least when it comes to direct references. Still a substantial part of the plot and almost all the anecdotes take place on the territory of the former kingdom.

Background

Kingdom of Bohemia was a historical kingdom that existed from 1198, and from 1526 to 1918 it was a political entity (crown land) ruled by the Habsburg Empire. Some of the Habsburg emperors were also crowned as kings of Bohemia. Kaiser Franz Joseph I. refused coronation and this caused a great deal of resentment amongst Czechs.

The emperor's executive in the kingdom was the "Statthalter" (governor) who held residence in Prague. The official languages were Czech and German. The kingdom was dissolved in 1918 and its territory became the most influental region in the newly proclaimed Czechoslovakia.

Quote(s) from the novel

[Úvod] A tento tichý, skromný, ošumělý muž jest opravdu ten starý dobrý voják Švejk, hrdinný, statečný, který kdysi za Rakouska byl v ústech všech občanů Českého království a jehož sláva nezapadne ani v republice.

Also written:České království cz Königreich Böhmen de

Literature

• Prag und das Königreich Böhmen Böhmischen Landesverbande für Hebung des Fremdenverkehrs ...
• Statistická příručka království Českého Zemská statistická kancelář království Českého 1913

	Czechoslovakia
Wikipedia czdeennosk MapSearch

Czechoslovakia is indirectly mentioned by the author through the term "The Republic". Later on there are several references, particularly in bitter outbursts against people who had worked for the Austrian oppressors and now lived comfortably in the new republic. See Mr. Slavíček and Mr. Klíma.

In the epilogue to Part One the country is mentioned by its full name.

Background

Czechoslovakia was a historic state in Central Europe. It was established on 28 October 1918 as a consequence of the collapse of Austria-Hungary at the end of World War I.

Czechoslovakia consisted the regions of Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, Carpathian Ruthenia, and a small part of Silesia. Until the Munich agreement destroyed the state in 1938, Tsjekkoslovakia was a highly developed democracy with a strong industrial base.

After the defeat of the Nazis, Czechoslovakia was restored with a democratic government, but in February 1948 the communists took power in a coup and a one-party state was established. In 1989 democracy was restored, but the state was split in the Czech Republic and Slovakia on 1 January 1993. This was one of the world's few peaceful political divorces.

Quote(s) from the novel

[Úvod] A tento tichý, skromný, ošumělý muž jest opravdu ten starý dobrý voják Švejk, hrdinný, statečný, který kdysi za Rakouska byl v ústech všech občanů Českého království a jehož sláva nezapadne ani v republice.

[I.14.2] Dnes jsou důstojničtí sluhové roztroušeni po celé naší republice a vypravují o svých hrdinných skutcích.

[I.16] Od hostinského Palivce nemůžeme žádat, aby mluvil tak jemně jako pí Laudová, dr Guth, pí Olga Fastrová a celá řada jiných, kteří by nejraději udělali z celé Československé republiky velký salon s parketami, kde by se chodilo ve fracích, v rukavičkách a mluvilo vybraně a pěstoval se jemný mrav salonů, pod jehož rouškou bývají právě salonní lvi oddáni nejhorším neřestem a výstřednostem.

Also written:Československo cz Tschechoslowakei de

	Ephesus
Wikipedia czdeenno MapSearch

Český svět, 18.12.1908.

Výbor ze spisů Xenofontových, Vilém Steinmann, 1880.

Ephesus is mentioned in connection with Herostratus, the vain fool who here gets compared to Švejk and stated to be his complete opposite. The terms "herostratic fame" refers to Herostratos setting fire to the temple in Ephesus to achieve fame.

Background

Ephesus was in ancient times an important port on the western coast of Asia Minor with around 250,000 inhabitants. The city was Ioanian Greece's economic centre and later one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire. The city housed one of the seven wonders of the worlds; the Temple of Artemis.

Quote(s) from the novel

[Úvod] On nezapálil chrám bohyně v Efesu, jako to udělal ten hlupák Herostrates, aby se dostal do novin a školních čítanek.

Also written:Efesos cz Ephesos de Efes tr

	Konopiště
Wikipedia dedkenno MapSearch

Světozor, 2.9.1910

Venkov, 19.6.1914

Konopiště is mentioned by Mrs. Müllerová already in the opening passage as she explains Švejk which Ferdinand has been murdered: "the Archduke Ferdinand, the one from Konopiště, the fat one, the religious one".

Background

Konopiště is a village and castle by Benešov that from 1887 to 1914 was owned by Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand, then Austrian heir to the throne. He and his family lived there for long periods. The castle is now a museum which exhibits amongst other items, Franz Ferdinand's around 475,000 hunting trophies and large amounts of classic furniture and paintings.

In 1913 the village had 115 inhabitants, spread across 13 houses. It belonged to okres og hejtmanství Benešov. The municipality of the same name was somewhat larger: 484 souls living in 53 houses.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] „Ale, milostpane, pana arcivévodu Ferdinanda, toho z Konopiště, toho tlustýho, nábožnýho.“ „Ježíšmarjá,“ vykřikl Švejk, „to je dobrý. A kde se mu to, panu arcivévodovi, stalo?“ „Práskli ho v Sarajevu, milostpane, z revolveru, vědí. Jel tam s tou svou arcikněžnou v automobilu.“

Also written:Konopist Bang-Hansen Konopischt de

	Sarajevo
Wikipedia bsczdeennnno MapSearch

Sarajevo is first mentioned by Mrs. Müllerová as she tells Švejk about the assassination of Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand. Later in the chapter the conversation at U kalicha revolves around the murder on the emperor-to-be and Sarajevo is mentioned many times by detective Bretschneider, Švejk and pubkeeper Palivec.

Background

Sarajevo was in 1914 as now the capital of Bosnia-Hercegovina. In 1878 Austria-Hungary occupied the area although it formally remained a part of Turkey until 1908 when it was annexed. The Bosnian capital was on 28 June 1914 the scene of the murder of Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand, an act that indirectly led to the outbreak of World War I. The killing was carried out by Serbian nationalists but it has not been proved that the Serbian government was involved.

The murders in Sarajevo is very directly the starting point of the novel these web pages are about.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] „Práskli ho v Sarajevu, milostpane, z revolveru, vědí. Jel tam s tou svou arcikněžnou v automobilu.“ „Tak se podívejme, paní Müllerová, v automobilu. Jó, takovej pán si to může dovolit, a ani nepomyslí, jak taková jízda automobilem může nešťastně skončit. A v Sarajevu k tomu, to je v Bosně, paní Müllerová. To asi udělali Turci. My holt jsme jim tu Bosnu a Hercegovinu neměli brát.

Literature

• Rakousko-uherští důstojníci u pevnosti Přemyšl VHÚ

	Bosnia
Wikipedia czdeenhrnnsr MapSearch

Ottův slovník naučný, 1893.

Bosnia is first mentioned by Švejk when he states to Mrs. Müllerová that Sarajevo is in Bosnia. Later, during the conversations at U kalicha mellom detective Bretschneider, pubkeeper Palivec and Švejk, and the area is mentioned several times. In Budapest a Bosnian regiment is mentioned.

Background

Bosnia is often mentioned together with Hercegovina as Bosnia-Hercegovina. This is the political unit that both areas belong to. Bosnia and Hercegovina have long been purely geographical terms.

The area was annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908. This led to widespread dissatisfaction amongst serbs and is arguably the main reason for the grievances that led terrorists to plot and execute the murder of Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] „A v Sarajevu k tomu, to je v Bosně, paní Müllerová. To asi udělali Turci. My holt jsme jim tu Bosnu a Hercegovinu neměli brát."

Also written:Bosna cz Bosnien de Bosna hr Босна sr

	Bosnia-Hercegovina
Wikipedia bsczdeenno MapSearch

Ottův slovník naučný, 1893.

Bosnia-Hercegovina is first mentioned by Švejk when he states to Mrs. Müllerová at Sarajevo ligg i Bosnia and that Austria-Hungary shouldn't have taken it from the Turks. Later on the area is mentioned in the conversation at U kalicha between detective Bretschneider, pubkeeper Palivec og Švejk.

Background

Bosnia-Hercegovina was (and is) the political entity consisting of Bosnia and Hercegovina. The area was annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908. This led to widespread dissatisfaction amongst Serbs and is arguably the main reason for the grievances that led terrorists to plot and carry out the murder of Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand six years later.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] „A v Sarajevu k tomu, to je v Bosně, paní Müllerová. To asi udělali Turci. My holt jsme jim tu Bosnu a Hercegovinu neměli brát."

Also written:Bosna a Hercegovina cz Bosnien und Herzegowina de Bosna i Hercegovina hr Bosnia og Hercegovina nn Босна и Херцеговина sr

	Nusle
Wikipedia czdeen MapSearch

Nusle is first mentioned by Mrs. Müllerová when she refers to an assault with a revolver which took place there in her home town. The area is later referred to by pubkeeper Palivec at U kalicha and it is obvious that Nusle had a bad reputation at the time. There are several references to locations in Nusle later in the novel, the tavern U Bansethů being amongst them.

Background

Nusle was from 1898 a town in the Prague conurbation that grew rapidly during the industrial revolution. Riegrovo náměstí (now Náměstí Bratří Synků) was regarded the centre of the town. In 1922 it became part of greater Prague.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] Nedávno taky si hrál jeden pán u nás v Nuslích s revolverem a postřílel celou rodinu i domovníka, kterej se šel podívat, kdo to tam střílí ve třetím poschodí.“

Literature

• Nuselská radnice cs.wikipedia
• Z historie Prahy 4 David Polák

	Switzerland
Wikipedia czdeenfritno MapSearch

General Ulrich Wille, Swiss commander-in-chief during World War I.

Národní listy, 6.11.1904.

Switzerland provides in an anecdote by Švejk refuge for a guard who had lent his braces to an inmate who had murdered a captain. The prisoner hung himself in the braces. The guard got 6 months but escaped to Switzerland.>

Background

Switzerland was neutral during World War I and was in 1914 like today a federal republic. As a curiosity it must be mentioned that the Habsburg family hailed from Switzerland. During World War I Lenin lived in Switzerland. He was from 1917 to play an important role in the events leading to Russia's withdrawal from the war.

In addition Switzerland was during the war at times a place of refuge for Professor Masaryk and other Czechs who worked for national independence.

Hašek in Switzerland

Jaroslav Hašek wrote several stories set in Switzerland and by all accounts he visited the country in 1904. Although this can't be confirmed by other sources than the author himself, the fact that he usually based his stories from places he knew, gives a strong indication. In one story he wrote that he walked from Switzerland through Bavaria back to Domažlice. The trip must have taken place in the time-span July to September.

The first story with a Swiss setting was published in Národní listy already on 6 November 1904 and was called Oslík Guat (Guat the Donkey)[a] and takes place in the Bernese Alps. None of the places where the plot takes place can be identified according to the author's spelling. These places were "Dünsingen", "Tillingen", "Stroschein" and "Gallensheim". Mentioned in passing are Bern and Lake Constance. In the story Výprava na Moasserspitze[b] the narrator writes that he stayed in Bern and prepared an excursion to "Moasernspitze, six hours away, in the canton Bern". The summit is said to have been pointed, but none of the spelling variations give an indication of which mountain he meant. The narrator also informs that the stay took place at the end of June, a timing that is at odds with the author's known whereabouts at the time.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] To vědí, paní Müllerová, že v takový situaci jde každému hlava kolem. Profousa za to degradovali a dali mu šest měsíců. Ale von si je nevodseděl. Utek do Švejcar a dneska tam dělá kazatele ňáký církve.

Sources: Radko Pytlík

Also written:Švýcarsko cz Schweiz de Suisse fr Svizzera it Švejcar Švejk

	Portugal
Wikipedia czdeennnnopt MapSearch

Hoisting the Portuguese flag during World War I.

Portugal is referred to by Švejk when he talks about the killing of a fat king of Portugal. This surely refers to the assassination of King Carlos I. I of the house Bragança in 1908.

Background

Portugal was in 1914 a republic which still kept some colonies, mostly in Africa. At the beginning of the 20th century Portugal experienced a power struggle between reformist and conservative groups. The republicans gained the upper hand, and a republic was established in 1910, two years after the murder of the king and the crown prince.

On 9 March 1916 Germany declared war on Portugal and Portuguese forces took part in Africa and on the western front. Several Portuguese ships were sunk by German U-boats during the war.

After the war, Karl, the last Habsburg emperor, sought refuge in Portugal and he died at Madeira. See Erzherzog Karl Franz Joseph.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] Jestli se pamatujou, jak tenkrát v Portugalsku si postříleli toho svýho krále. Byl taky takovej tlustej.

Also written:Portugalsko cz

	Waterloo
Wikipedia czdeenfrnlno MapSearch

Waterloo and the famous battle there is mentioned by the author when he describes the pub landlord pubkeeper Palivec and his knowledge of Victor Hugo. Švejk also mentions it in [II.1] when on the train to Tábor.

Background

Waterloo is a town in Walloon-Brabant in Belgium, near Brussels. The town is known because of the famous battle that took place nearby on 18 June 1815, when Wellington and Blücher were victorious against Napoléon's French army. The battle took place at Mont-Saint-Jean south of the town and meant the end of Napoleon's political and military career.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] Palivec byl známý sprosťák, každé jeho druhé slovo byla zadnice nebo hovno. Přitom byl ale sečtělý a upozorňoval každého, aby si přečetl, co napsal o posledním předmětě Victor Hugo, když líčil poslední odpověď staré gardy Napoleona Angličanům v bitvě u Waterloo.

[II.1] Napoleon se u Waterloo vopozdil vo pět minut, a byl v hajzlu s celou svou slávou..."

	Balkans
Wikipedia czdeennnno MapSearch

The New York Times Current History, March 1915

Balkans is mentioned once by Švejk in the conversation at U kalicha. Later the peninsula appears in the conversation between Mr. Wendler and Oberleutnant Lukáš.

Background

Balkans was at the start of the 20th century the least stable part of Europe. The two Balkan Wars had been fought in 1912 and 1913; first Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria and Montenegro against Turkey, then Serbia, Montenegro and Greece against Bulgaria.

In the Second Balkan War, Romania and Turkey joined the war against Bulgaria when they realised that these were about to loose. Serbia got out of these wars politically strengthened, a fact which made Austria-Hungary increasingly uneasy and which may have contributed to their uncompromising stance in 1914.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] A Švejk vyložil svůj názor na mezinárodní politiku Rakouska na Balkáně. Turci to prohráli v roce 1912 se Srbskem, Bulharskem a Řeckem. Chtěli, aby jim Rakousko pomohlo, a když se to nestalo, střelili Ferdinanda.

[I.14.5] Pro chmel je nyní ztracena Francie, Anglie, Rusko i Balkán.

Also written:Balkán cz

	Serbia
Wikipedia czdeennnnosr MapSearch

Österreichische Illustrierte Zeitung,  9.8.1914.

Verdenskrigen i samtidige skildringer. 1914.

Serbia is first mentioned in the conversation at U kalicha between Švejk and detective Bretschneider about the Balkans. Thereafter it reappears repeatedly, the slogan Heil, nieder mit den Serben! is quoted a few times.

From Part Two onwards the Serbian army, irregulars and civilians are often mentioned in stories told by veterans from the campaign against Serbia.

Background

Serbia was in 1914 a kingdom on the Balkans that played a key role during the outbreak of World War I. Austria-Hungary made the Serbian government responsible for the murder of Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian and Hungarian thrones. Serbia was the first country declared war on, and the first country to see fighting. Serbia stood up well against the forces of the Dual Monarchy and repelled three invasions in 1914, despite suffering heavy losses themselves. But after Bulgaria entered the war and German forces assisted the Austrians, their resistance was broken in October 1915.

Serbia was the country that relative to population figures suffered the worst losses in the war (indeed in any modern European conflict): roughly 27% of the population perished, many of them in the worst typhus epidemic known in history.

The borders of Serbia were in 1914 somewhat different from today. The kingdom included Macedonia but not Vojvodina and Banat which at the time were part of Austria-Hungary. The capital was (and still is) Belgrade.

The 91st regiment in Serbia

Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 was sent to the Serbian front immediately after the outbreak of war and took part in all three invasions. They spent most of the time between 15 August and 15 December 1914 on Serbian territory. Their losses were frightening and when they finally withdrew across the Danube by Belgrade they were, like the rest of the invading army, utterly decimated. Several officers that later provided prototypes for Švejk's superiors took part in the campaign: Franz Wenzel, Čeněk Sagner, Rudolf Lukas, Josef Adamička and Jan Eybl. Every one of them apart from Eybl (he was there only the last three weeks) were at some stage injured or reported sick.

At the beginning of October 1918 the regiment was, as part of the Infanteriedivision Nr. 9, sent back to Serbia (Vranje south of Niš) because Bulgaria had pulled out of the war and their forces needed to be replaced. This was eventually one long retreat northwards in an army that was by now disintegrating. Hans Bigler was the only prototype of figures in The Good Soldier Švejk that took place in this desparate campain and he ended by being captured.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí the country is briefly mentioned at the start of chapter 5. The author notes that the Austrian army was in trouble in Serbia, in Prague people were happy and in Moravia they were preparing cakes to welcome the cossacks. This had happened when Švejk was in prison at the start of the war.[1]

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] A Švejk vyložil svůj názor na mezinárodní politiku Rakouska na Balkáně. Turci to prohráli v roce 1912 se Srbskem, Bulharskem a Řeckem. Chtěli, aby jim Rakousko pomohlo, a když se to nestalo, střelili Ferdinanda.

[I.13] Nadporučík Machek zajat v Srbsku, dluhuje mně 1500 korun. Je zde víc takových lidí. Ten padne v Karpatech s mou nezaplacenou směnkou, ten jde do zajetí, ten se mně utopí v Srbsku, ten umře v Uhrách ve špitále.

[I.14.4] Švejk posadil se na lavici ve vratech a vykládal, že v bitevní frontě karpatské se útoky vojska ztroskotaly, na druhé straně však že velitel Přemyšlu, generál Kusmanek, přijel do Kyjeva a že za námi zůstalo Srbsku jedenáct opěrných bodů a že Srbové dlouho nevydrží utíkat za našimi vojáky.

[I.14.5] Kromě toho naše manévry na Srbsku pokračují velice úspěšně a odchod našich vojsk, který jest fakticky jen přesunutím, vykládají si mnozí zcela jinak, než jak toho vyžaduje naprostá chladnokrevnost ve válce.

[I.14.6] "Náš pán je přísnej, a jak posledně se říkalo, že nám Srbsku natloukli, tak přišel celej vzteklej domů a sházel v kuchyni všechny talíře a chtěl i mně dát vejpověď."

[I.15] Všechny civilisty Srbsku spálit do posledního. Děti ubít bajonety!

[II.2] Tu odcházel domů a po jeho odchodu vždy někdo řekl: "Naši to zas někde Srbsku prosrati, že je vachmajstr takovej nemluva."

[II.2] Černožluté obzory počaly se zatahovat mraky revoluce. Na Srbsku, v Karpatech přecházely batalióny k nepříteli. 28. regiment, 11. regiment.

[II.2] ...jak nadporučík Kretschmann, který se vrátil ze Srbska s bolavou nohou (trkla ho kráva), vypravoval, jak se díval od štábu, ku kterému byl přidělen, na útok na srbské posice:

[II.3] Nešťastnou náhodou ještě nad tím nápisem byl jinej: ,My na vojnu nepůjdeme, my se na ni vyséreme,` a to bylo v roce 1912, když jsme měli jít do Srbska kvůli tomu konzulovi Procházkoví.

[II.3] „U pětasedmdesátýho regimentu,“ ozval se jeden muž z eskorty, „prochlastal hejtman celou plukovní kasu před válkou a musel kvitovat z vojny, a teď je zas hejtmanem, a jeden felák, kterej vokrad erár vo sukno na vejložky, bylo ho přes dvacet balíků, je dneska štábsfeldvéblem, a jeden infanterista byl nedávno v Srbsku zastřelenej, poněvadž sněd najednou svou konservu, kterou měl si nechat na tři dny.“

[II.3] Švejk seděl na odestlané posteli nadporučíkově a naproti němu seděl na stole sluha majora Wenzla. Major se opět vrátil k regimentu, když byla v Srbsku konstatována jeho úplná neschopnost na Drině.

Also written:Srbsko cz Serbien de Србија sr

Literature

• Operative Kriegsführung, 1914 Serbien - Kolubara, Belgrad ÖStA
• Den serbiske Hær Verdenskrigen i samtidige skildringer. 1 1914
• Das Lächeln der Henker Anton Holzer, Der Spiegel

	Bulgaria
Wikipedia bgczdeennnno MapSearch

Bulgaria after the 2nd Balkan War

Steirische Alpenpost, 23.8.1913.

Bulgaria is mentioned during the conversation between Švejk and detective Bretschneider at U kalicha about Balkans.

Background

Bulgaria was a kingdom on the Balkans that was neutral during the first year of World War I. In September 1915 the country entered the war on the side of the Central Powers. Her main motive to join was to repair the damage after the defeat by Serbia in Second Balkan War. Bulgaria took part in the attack on Serbia in October 1915, the offensive that finally broke Serbia's resistance. Bulgaria was in 1914 slightly larger than today, she had to cede Thrace to Greece in 1918.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] A Švejk vyložil svůj názor na mezinárodní politiku Rakouska na Balkáně. Turci to prohráli v roce 1912 se Srbskem, Bulharskem a Řeckem. Chtěli, aby jim Rakousko pomohlo, a když se to nestalo, střelili Ferdinanda.

Also written:България bg Bulharsko cz Bulgarien de

	Greece
Wikipedia czdeelenno MapSearch

Greece after the 2nd Balkan War

Steirische Alpenpost, 30.8.1913.

Greece is mentioned in the conversation at U kalicha between Švejk and detective Bretschneider about the Balkans. The former touched on their role in the First Balkan War.

Background

Greece was neutral at the start of the war but in November 1916 it joined the Entente, strongly influenced by prime minister Venizelos. Greece was at the time a kingdom ruled by the House of Glücksburg. The country was in 1914 slightly smaller than today, it acquired Thrace from Bulgaria in 1923.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] A Švejk vyložil svůj názor na mezinárodní politiku Rakouska na Balkáně. Turci to prohráli v roce 1912 se Srbskem, Bulharskem a Řeckem. Chtěli, aby jim Rakousko pomohlo, a když se to nestalo, střelili Ferdinanda.

Also written:Řecko cz Griechenland de Ελλάδα el

	Vltava
Wikipedia czdeennnno MapSearch

Čechy,  1910.

Český svět,  28.6.1907.

Vltava is first mentioned in the anecdote about the man who jumped from the bridge in Krumlov. The river is mentioned several times later in the novel and Švejk must have crossed it twice during his anabasis in [II.2], without it being explicitly stated. The first crossing was between Květov and Vráž, the second on the train just before arriving in Budějovice.

Because the river runs through Prague, Švejk must have crossed it a few times in the first part of the novel. Across Karlův most he was escorted by two soldiers on the way from Hradčany to serve Feldkurat Katz. Before that Mrs. Müllerová pushed him across a bridge in a wheelchair for him to get to the draft board at Střelecký ostrov. He would also have had to cross the river when he went to borrow money from captain Hauptmann Šnábl at Bruska.

Background

Vltava is the longest river in Bohemia. From its sources in Šumava, it passes Krumlov, Budějovice and Prague, before emptying into the Elbe by Mělník. The river's length is 430 km, and the catchment area is 28,090 km². In foreign languages the German name Moldau is frequently used.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] Musel skočit v Krumlově s toho mostu do Vltavy a museli ho vytáhnout, museli ho křísit, museli z něho pumpovat vodu a von jim musel skonat v náručí lékaře, když mu dal nějakou injekci.“

[I.3] Soudní lékaři podívali se významně na sebe, nicméně jeden s nich dal ještě tuto otázku: „Neznáte nejvyšší hloubku v Tichém oceáně?“ „To prosím neznám,“ zněla odpověď, „ale myslím, že rozhodně bude větší než pod vyšehradskou skálou na Vltavě.“

[I.10.2] Projevoval mučednické touhy, žádaje, aby mu utrhl hlavu a hodil v pytli do Vltavy.

[I.10.3] Vy máte vilu na Zbraslavi. A můžete jezdit parníkem po Vltavě. Víte, co je to Vltava?“

[I.15] "Před dvěma léty, pane nadporučíku," řekl plukovník, "přál jste si být přeložen do Budějovic k 91. pluku. Víte, kde jsou Budějovice? Na Vltavě, ano, na Vltavě a vtéká tam Ohře nebo něco podobného.

[II.2] Zášť hrozná, nesmiřitelná, vendetta, krevní msta, dědící se z ročníku na ročník, provázená na obou stranách tradičními historkami, jak buď infanteristi naházeli dělostřelce do Vltavy, nebo opačně.

Also written:Moldau de

	Krumlov
Wikipedia czdeenno MapSearch

Postcard from 1910

Alois Chytil, 1915.

Krumlov is mentioned in the anecdote about Bohuslav Ludvík and also a few times in Part Two. The miller Offiziersdiener Baloun, a central character in the latter part of the novel, comes from the area around Krumlov.

Background

Krumlov was until 1920 the name of Český Krumlov, a town not far from the Austrian border. The district of Krumlov was located in the recruitment area of Infanterieregiment Nr. 91, so Jaroslav Hašek would have known many fellow soldiers from there. See Ergänzungskommando.

The medieval structure of the town has been preserved and it is on the world heritage list of UNESCO. It has become a major tourist attraction.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] Musel skočit v Krumlově s toho mostu do Vltavy a museli ho vytáhnout, museli ho křísit, museli z něho pumpovat vodu a von jim musel skonat v náručí lékaře, když mu dal nějakou injekci.“

Also written:Krumau de

Literature

• Chytilův úplný adresář Království Českého Alois Chytil 1915
• Český Krumlov František M. Čápek 1913
• Historie města Český Krumlov ckrumlov.info

	Most v Krumlově
Wikipedia cz MapSearch

Most v Krumlově is mentioned in the anecdote about Bohuslav Ludvík who jumped from the bridge in Krumlov into the Vltava.

Background

Most v Krumlově was according to the story a bridge across the Vltava in Krumlov. The story does not reveal which one the author has in mind, but it is probably Lazebnický most in the centre which is the oldest and best known bridge there. In this mainly German-speaking town the bridge was at the time also called Baderbrücke.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] Musel skočit v Krumlově s toho mostu do Vltavy a museli ho vytáhnout, museli ho křísit, museli z něho pumpovat vodu a von jim musel skonat v náručí lékaře, když mu dal nějakou injekci.“

Also written:Bridge in Krumlov en Brücke in Krumau de Bru i Krumlov no

	Zliv
Wikipedia czdeen MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Alois Chytil, 1915.

Zliv is mentioned in an anecdote by Švejk, told to detective Bretschneider. It was about a gamekeeper who was shot by poachers.

Background

Zliv is a village in South Bohemia, situated 10 km north west of Budějovice and 4 km west of Hluboká.

Hašek and Zliv

During the summer of 1896 (or 1897), Hašek's mother Kateřina took the children on a trip to the area around Protivín to visit relatives. Both his parents were from this area. They visited Zliv, Mydlovary, Hluboká, Budějovice, Putim, Skočice, Krč, Protivín, Ražice, and Vodňany. All of these places appear in The Good Soldier Švejk and some of them even in the short stories.

In the spring of 1915 Jaroslav Hašek reportedly appeared in Zliv again, now on an unauthorised "excursion" from the Budějovice garrison.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] To byl ve Zlivi u Hluboké před léty jeden hajný, měl takové ošklivé jméno Pinďour.

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Václav Menger, Jaroslav Šerák

Also written:Zliw Reiner

Literature

• O městě Město Zliv

	Hluboká
Wikipedia czdeen MapSearch

Alois Chytil, 1915.

Hluboká is mentioned in the same anecdote as Zliv, about the widow after the gamekeepers who turns up at the office of The prince at Hluboká to ask for advice.

At Gendarmeriestation Putim in [II.2] it is mentioned by Wachtmeister Flanderka when he informs Švejk how seriously he has got lost on his anabasis.

Later in the chapter Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek how he was given an injection by a cripple from Hluboká. This caused muscle rheumatism and he was admitted to hospital (Budějovická nemocnice).

Background

Hluboká is a small town in South Bohemia, 15 km north of Budějovice. It was one of the favourite haunts of German-Roman emperor Charles IV, who often visited when he resided in Budějovice. Nowadays Hluboká is best known for its Windsor-style chateau which until 1938 belonged to the House of Schwarzenberg.

Jaroslav Hašek visited Hluboká during his childhood (1896 or 1897), and probably also in 1915. See Zliv.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] Byla až v kanceláři knížete pána na Hluboké a stěžovala si, že má s těmi hajnými trápení. Tak jí odporučili porybnýho Jareše z ražické bašty.

[II.2] Tak se podívejte, vojáku. Od nás na jih je Protivín. Od Protivína na jih je Hluboká a od ní jižně jsou České Budějovice.

[II.2] Až jsem se ti jednou ,U růže’ seznámil s jedním invalidou z Hluboké. Ten mně řekl, abych jednou v neděli k němu přišel na návštěvu, a na druhý den že budu mít nohy jako konve. Měl doma tu jehlu i stříkačku, a já jsem opravdu sotva došel z Hluboké domů. Neoklamala mne ta zlatá duše. Tak jsem konečně přece měl svůj svalový rheumatismus.

Also written:Frauenberg de

Literature

• Chytilův úplný adresář Království Českého Alois Chytil 1915

	Mydlovary
Wikipedia czen MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Mydlovary

Jaroslav Hašek ve fotografii, 1959.

Alois Chytil, 1915.

Josef Hašek (1843-1896)

Jaroslav Hašek ve fotografii, 1959.

Mydlovary is mentioned by Švejk in a story he tells detective Bretschneider about U kalicha, about the gamekeeper Pepík Šavel.

I [I.5] Mydlovary is mentioned again when Švejk tells an anecdote from when he did military training with Infanterieregiment Nr. 91.

Background

Mydlovary is a village in South Bohemia, 16 km north west of Budějovice and the birthplace of Josef Hašek, the father of Jaroslav Hašek. He was born in house number 8. The budding satirist visited Mydlovary during his childhood (1896 or 1897) and couldn't have been far away in 1915. See Zliv.

The fact that his father was born in Mydlovary is significant. This meant that Jaroslav Hašek had right of domicile here so he, just like his literary hero, was drafted into Infanterieregiment Nr. 91.

Early story

In 1911 Hašek wrote a story centred around Mydlovary: Vislingská aféra v Mydlovarech. It was first printed in Karikatury 7 March 1911 and soon after it appeared in Šípy in Chicago![a]

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] Zastřelili ho pytláci a zůstala po něm vdova s dvěma dítkami a vzala si za rok opět hajného, Pepíka Šavlovic z Mydlovar.

[I.5] „U skautů,“ zvolal Švejk. „o těch skautech rád slyším. Jednou v Mydlovarech u Zlivi, okres Hluboká, okresní hejtmanství České Budějovice, právě když jsme tam měli jednadevadesáté cvičení, udělali si sedláci z okolí hon na skauty v obecním lese, kteří se jim tam rozplemenili.

Also written:Mydlowař Reiner Mydlowar de

Literature

• Obec Mydlovary Obec Mydlovary
• Genealogie Jaroslava Haška Jaroslav Šerák

	Ražická bašta
MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Photo from the site, 2010

Ražická bašta is mentioned by Švejk in an anecdote about the pond warden Jareš, no doubt inspired by the author's grandfather, Antonín Jareš. This connection appears again in chapters [I.14] and [II.2].

Background

Ražická bašta was a fishpond construction between Ražice and Putim that belonged to the noble Schwarzenberg family. The authors grandfather was pond warden here and Hašek wrote a few stories about him in Veselá Praha in 1908 called Historky z ražické bašty. The pond and barrier is still there but is no longer used for fish-farming. The pond wardens building is not there, but is still visible on an army-map from 1928.

The young Jaroslav Hašek visited the area in 1896 or 1897 together with his family. See Zliv.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] Tak jí odporučili porybnýho Jareše z ražické bašty.

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Jaroslav Šerák

Literature

• Nápověda a vysvětlivky Jaroslav Šerák
• Dra Bělohlava Podrobné mapy zemí koruny České Nakladatel F. Topič
• Historky z ražické bašty Jaroslav Hašek 1908

	Mexico
Wikipedia czdeenesnnno MapSearch

"Světem letem", Enrique Stanko Vráz,  1896.

Mexico Mexico is mentioned again in [II.2] when Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek tells Švejk about conditions in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91.

In [II.2] the country again appears, gain indirectly, through the term "the Mexixcan border". Here Fähnrich Dauerling is compared to Maxican bandits so the theme is no doubt the border with USA.

Background

Mexico was in 1914 a republic suffering turmoil after the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz had been overthrown in the revolution in 1911. In the period from 1864 to 1867 Maximiliano I. av Mexico was emperor, and it is in this context the country is mentioned in the novel.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] Manželku Alžbětu mu propíchli pilníkem, potom se mu ztratil Jan Orth; bratra, císaře mexického, mu zastřelili v nějaké pevnosti u nějaké zdi.

[II.2] Nyní vám, kamaráde, musím něco říct o Dauerlingovi," pokračoval jednoroční dobrovolník, "o něm si vypravují rekruti u 11. kompanie tak, jako nějaká opuštěná babička na farmě v blízkostí mexických hranic bájí o nějakém slavném mexickém banditovi.

Also written:Mexiko cz Mexiko de México es

	Cerro de las Campanas
Wikipedia es MapSearch

Cerro de las Campanas is mentioned indirectly in the conversation between Švejk and detective Bretschneider where it is stated that the brother of Kaiser Franz Joseph I. was executed at "some fortress by some wall".

Background

Cerro de las Campanas is a hill in Queretaro where Emperor Maximiliano I. was executed in 1867 after having lost the war against the republican rebels led by Benito Juárez.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] Manželku Alžbětu mu propíchli pilníkem, potom se mu ztratil Jan Orth; bratra, císaře mexického, mu zastřelili v nějaké pevnosti u nějaké zdi.

Literature

• La muerte de un emperador José Manuel Villalpando

	Russia
Wikipedia czdeennnnoru MapSearch

The Russian Empire, 1914

Moscow

Světozor,  27.9.1912.

Jaroslav Hašek v revolučním Rusku.

© Jaroslav Křížek, 1957

Russia is named 22 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Russia is briefly touched upon during the conversation U kalicha about the political situation after the assassinations in Sarajevo. The next brief mention is in [I.14,1] when Feldkurat Katz has lost Švejk in a game of cards "as if he was a serf from Russia".

Russia is also a theme when Švejk is suspected of being a spy and is interrogated at Gendarmeriestation Putim. Wachtmeister Flanderka wants to know is tea is drunk in Russia and if the girls there are pretty. When the policeman ask Švejk why he wants to get to Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 he answers that it is because he wants to go to the front. Flanderka immediately concludes that this is a very clever way to get back to Russia.

Later on in the novel the country is mentioned several times; it was after all Russia the main protagonists were sent to fight against. Russian citizens take part in the plot directly when Švejk is assigned to a transport of Russian prisoners in Chyrów. The author at least once adds fragments from his own experiences in Russia (see Dubno). The original advertising poster for the novel makes it clear that Jaroslav Hašek planned to stage the later part of the plot on Russian territory - the poster mentions the Russian civil war explicitly.

The following political and geographical entities of Russia (i.e. fully or partially located within its borders) are mentioned in the novel: Buryatia, Warsaw, Praga, Ukraine, Dubno, Tashkent, Zdolbunov, Poland, Sea of Azov, Caspian Sea, Kiev, Darnitsa, Franz Joseph Land, Komarów, Sevastopol, Don, Baikal, Kraśnik, Yerevan, Tbilisi, Caucasus, Moscow, Petrograd, Samara, Milatyn and Bubnów.

Background

Russia (rus. Россия) was in 1914 an empire ruled by the Romanov family and was far larger than the current Russian Federation. It included all of the later Soviet Union, all of Finland and the greater part of current Poland. The empire was at its largest in 1866 when it sold Alaska.

Russia's support to Serbia during the July crisis in 1914 is one of the prime reason why a regional conflict on the Balkans developed into a world war.

Russia were ill prepared for a prolonged war, serious supply problems and inept military leadership soon led to big losses. Still they managed to invade Galicia and Bukovina in 1914 and for a while they threatened to cross the Carpathians. On 2 May 1915 the Central Powers launched a successful offensive by Gorlice and Tarnów and 1915 turned out to be a disaster for Russland who had to withdraw from Poland and Galicia almost entirely. During that year the lack of equipment took its toll, and soldiers were sent into battle without firearms.

In 1916 the situation improved somewhat as the Brusilov-offensive inflicted such heavy losses on Austria-Hungary that a collapse threatened. German reinforcements however stabilised the front and Russia spent much of her diminishing strength on futile break-through attempts. The tsar dynasty was toppled in March 1917 but the new provisional government decided to continue the war. A final offensive was launched on 1 July 1917 but soon ground to a halt. During this fighting Czech volunteers (including Jaroslav Hašek) for the first time operated as a unit against the Dual Monarchy (Zborów 2 July). A German counter-offensive from 19 July led to a complete meltdown of a Russian army that already was badly affected by mass desertions and breakdown in discipline.

In the aftermath of the October Revolution (7 November 1917) a ceasefire was concluded, and the new Communist authorities had to accept harsh terms in the peace treaty of Brest-Litovsk (signed 3 March 1918). All of the Baltics, Finland, Poland and Ukraine were ceded (Ukraina was recovered after the war). The subsequent civil war prolonged the suffering of the peoples of Russia with many years and in 1921 a massive hunger catastrophe hit some regions. The Russian defeat in the world war had fatal consequences; it paved the way for 70 years of Communist dictatorship, and at times extremely brutal.

Hašek in Russia

Jaroslav Hašek in Russia

Irkutsk. Hašek worked here in 1920.

Jaroslav Hašek served as a messenger in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 on the front against Russia from 11 July 1915, and at the end of the month the regiment took part in the bloody battle against the Russian 8th army by Sokal. On 27 August 1915 the regiment crossed the border and it was on Russian territory, by Chorupan north of Dubno, that he was captured on 24 September 1915.

After 9 months as prisoner Hašek was from July 1916[1] until March 1918 a volunteer in the Legions in Russia, and therefore he formally became a Russian soldier. During this period he functioned both as a reporter and as recruiter amongst Czech priosners of war. His base was Kiev but he also spent long periods at the front by the river Stochod in 1916. Disciplinary problems led to his expulsion from Kiev in May 1917 and he was sent to the area by Sarny as an ordinary soldier. From there he was, together with what was now called the Czechoslovak Brigade transferred to occupied Austrian territory where they took part in the battle by Zborów (ru/cz. Zborov, ukr. Zboriv) on 2 July 1917. He took part in the withdrawal from Tarnopol (ukr. Ternopil) later that month and for his efforts he was decorated with the Russian Cross of Saint George, 4th class.

After breaking with the Legions in April 1918 he became of journalist, agitator and recruiter for the Czech communists, later directly for the Bolsheviks - positions he held until he was sent back to his homeland as agitator at the end of 1920. He had learnt Russian already as a youngster and reportedly mastered the language very well, and by his return he had adapted to the degree that even his novel contains “russianisms”.

During his 5 year stay in Russia his travels covered extensive areas, mostly in Ukraine, in the Volga region and in Siberia. On 15 May 1920 he married a Russian woman, Alexandra Lvova. She followed him back to Prague later that year. In his story I vyklepal prach z obuvi své... Hašek informs that he left Russia 4 December 1920 in Narva.

Places in Russia where Jaroslav Hašek had prolonged stays were: Totskoye (prisoner's camp), Kiev, Moscow, Samara, Bugulma, Ufa and Irkutsk. He obviously had shorter stays in many other places, mainly along the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] „Vy myslíte, že to císař pán takhle nechá bejt? To ho málo znáte. Vojna s Turky musí být. Zabili jste mně strejčka, tak tady máte přes držku. Válka jest jistá. Srbsko a Rusko nám pomůže v té válce. Bude se to řezat!“

[I.14.1] Polní karát prodal Švejka nadporučíkovi Lukášovi, čili lépe řečeno, prohrál ho v kartách. Tak dřív prodávali na Rusi nevolníky.

[I.14.5] Francie, Anglie i Rusko jsou příliš slabé proti rakousko-turecko-německé žule.

[I.14.5] Pro chmel je nyní ztracena Francie, Anglie, Rusko i Balkán.

[II.2] Strážmistr podíval se na Švejka a začal: "Pravda, že v Rusku se pije mnoho čaje? Mají tam také rum?"

[II.2] A otázal se důvěrně nakláněje se k Švejkovi: "Jsou v Rusku hezké holky?"

[II.2] "A já se zas pamatuji," prohlásil, "že oni říkali, že jsme proti Rusku kratinové, a že řvali před tou naší bábou ,Ať žije Rusko!`"

Also written:Rusko cz Russland de Россия ru

Literature

• Rusko Ottův slovník naučný 1904
• Russia Encyclopædia Britannica 1911
• Russian Civil War International Encyclopedia of the First World War
• Гашек в Иркутске Sergey Soloukh
• Velitelem města Bugulmy Jaroslav Hašek 1966

	Turkey
Wikipedia czdeennnnotr MapSearch

Prager Tagblatt, 30.10.1914.

Der Krieg - Zweiter Band,  1915.

Čech, 31.10.1918.

Turkey is named 4 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Turkey is theme of the conversation at U kalicha about the political situation after the assassination in Sarajevo. Švejk blames the Turks for the murder of Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand.

The country is mentioned again in [I.14] during Oberleutnant Lukáš' long lecture to hop-trader Mr. Wendler about the war situation. This conversation also mention a number of distinguished Ottoman politicians and officers. Amongst them are the Sultan, Enver Paşa, Cevat Paşa, Hali Bey, and Ali Bey. Also mentioned are Constantinople, Dardanelles and Turkish Parliament.

Background

Turkey (the Ottoman Empire) was a state that existed until 1922 and was succeeded by modern Turkey. The area was still in 1914 far larger than that of the current republic and included great parts of the Middle East. It was a multi-ethnic empire, consisting of Turks, Arabs, Armenians, Albanians, Greeks, Jews etc. The capital was Constantinople.

The first world war

From 29 October 1914 the Ottoman Empire entered the war as one of the Central Powers. It started with an attack on Russian Black Sea ports, and a few days later Russia declared war, and soon after Turkey was also at war with England and France.

Turkey fought on several fronts: against Russia in Caucasus, against the British in Egypt and Mesopotamia, against the Russians and British in Persia. In 1915 the allied attempt to force the Dardanelles opened another front, although short-lived. Moreover the empire had to fight uprisings on the Arab Peninsula and elsewhere.

Several high ranking Germans served in the Ottoman armed forces, both as commanders and advisors. Amongst them were Marschall Liman von Sanders, Goltz Paşa and Usedom Paşa. A lasting shadow over the final years of the Ottoman Empire was cast by the genocide of Armenians in 1915.

Turkey had only minor military success in the war, but a major exception was the defence of the Dardanelles and the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. By the end of 1917 Allied forces stood deep in Ottoman territory: Palestine and also in Mesopotamia.

After Bulgaria pulled out of the war in September 1918 Turkey's position became untenable and the armistice was signed on 30 October 1918. The defeat in the World War meant the end of the empire and the loss of all her Arabic possessions. The core Turkish areas of the empire was transformed into a republic and was to become the pillar of modern Turkey.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] „Může být,“ pokračoval v líčení budoucnosti Rakouska, „že nás v případě války s Tureckem Němci napadnou, poněvadž Němci a Turci drží dohromady. Jsou to takový potvory, že jim není v světě rovno. Můžeme se však spojit s Francií, která má od 71. roku spadeno na Německo. A už to půjde. Válka bude, víc vám neřeknu.“

[I.14.5] „A co Turecko?“ otázal se obchodník s chmelem, uvažuje přitom, jak začít, aby se dostal k jádru věci, pro kterou přijel.

Also written:Turecko cz Türkei de Tyrkiye tr

Literature

• Türkisches bei Schwejk Hans-Peter Laqueur

	France
Wikipedia czdeenfrnnno MapSearch Švejkův slovník

France is named 8 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

France is mentioned in the conversation between Švejk and detective Bretschneider at U kalicha about the political situation after the assassinations in Sarajevo. In this case the theme is the Franco-German war of 1870-71. Many French people are mentioned in the novel: Napoléon, Victor Hugo, Papin and Rabelais are amongst them.

In the conversation between Mr. Wendler and Oberleutnant Lukáš in [I.14] French places are mentioned, all along the front in northern France. The officer also mentions the country itself and Wendler mentions these places along the front: Combres, Woëvre, Marchéville and Vosges. The rivers Meuse and Mosel that partly flow through the country are mentioned in the same sequence.The culinary connections are mentioned through Cognac and Bordeaux.

Background

France was in 1914 a democratic republic of nearly 40 million inhabitants and also ruled over a large colonial empire, mainly in Africa.

France was one of the main participants in World War I. Germany declared war on her on 3 August 1914, on 11 August France declared war on Austria-Hungary. Already from 1894 France had signed a military alliance with Russia, and from 1907 England joined them in the so-called Triple Entente, albeit with fewer military obligations. The rising power of Germany was the reason why these former rival powers now joined forces.

Throughout the war nearly the whole the Western Front cut through northern France, and the area where the fighting took place was devastated. French war casualties totalled 1.7 million dead, and out of these 1.4 million were soldiers. The losses made up more than 4 per cent of the population. France was close to collapse both in 1914 and 1918 when the German army reached the river Marne, north-east of Paris.

France was the first state to recognize the Czech and Slovak claim for an independent state, and the Czechoslovak National Council was seated in Paris from 1916. On 7 February 1918 the Czechoslovak Army Corps in Russia formally became part of the French army and were to be transferred to the Western Front. See České legie. This was a decision Jaroslav Hašek disagreed with and it was the main reason why he left the army corps two months later.

After the Treaty of Versailles France was given back Alsace and Lorraine, provinces that had been ceded to Germany in 1871.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] „Může být,“ pokračoval v líčení budoucnosti Rakouska, „že nás v případě války s Tureckem Němci napadnou, poněvadž Němci a Turci drží dohromady. Jsou to takový potvory, že jim není v světě rovno. Můžeme se však spojit s Francií, která má od 71. roku spadeno na Německo. A už to půjde. Válka bude, víc vám neřeknu.“

[I.14.5] Francie, Anglie i Rusko jsou příliš slabé proti rakousko-turecko-německé žule.

[I.14.5] Stejně Francouzům hrozí v nejkratší době ztráta celé východní Francie a vtržení německého vojska do Paříže.

[I.14.5] Pro chmel je nyní ztracena Francie, Anglie, Rusko i Balkán.

Also written:Francie cz Frankreich de La France fr

Literature

• "Le Brave Soldat Chvéïk" de Jaroslav Hasek Les Nouvelles littéraires 16.4.1932

	Germany
Wikipedia czdeenno MapSearch

Germany is named 8 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Germany is first mentioned at the conversation at U kalicha about the political situation after the assassinations of Sarajevo. The country then appears repeatedly throughout the novel, particularly during the march battalion's journey to the front. Towards the end of the novel Švejk even meets German soldiers. The author notes how well they are provided for compared with their allies from Austria-Hungary.

Many German nationals are mentioned; amongst them Kaiser Wilhelm II. and Hindenburg. A number of German cities also appear: amongst them Berlin, Hamburg and Leipzig. It also revealed that Švejk once visited Bremen, and this is as far as we know the only time he ever ventured beyond the borders of Austria-Hungary. When forging of the pedigree of Fox, Švejk mentions the name of several institutions in Germany related to dog-breeding (see Nuremberg). A few places in Elsass (Alsace) are mentioned in the conversation between Oberleutnant Lukáš and Mr. Wendler, amongst them Mühlhausen (Mulhouse). During his famous dream Kadett Biegler refers to some smaller places in his account of the battle by Leipzig in 1813 (see Wachau). The last time we hear about Germans is when Švejk arrives at Żółtańce where he has to witness that the Germans get draught beer, a luxury he and his comrades can only dream of. We are also told that men from his regiment have been in a brawl with the Bavarians at the town square.

Background

Germany was in 1914 a constitutional monarchy with the emperor as head of state, officially named Das Deutsche Kaiserreich. She entered the war as an ally of Austria-Hungary 1 August 1914 when she declared war on Russia. The two Central European powers had been allies since 1879, and Germany’s explicit support was one of the reasons that the Dual Monarchy risked to "teach Serbia a lesson" in 1914. Two days later the two-front war became a reality through the French declaration of war. The German attack on Belgium on 4 August 1914 contributed to landing an even more powerful enemy: England and the vast British Empire.

In 1914 Germany possessed the strongest army in the world but despite her military might she could ill sustain a prolonged conflict where the adversaries were superior in industrial resources, manpower and not the least in raw materials. The British naval superiority was also a determining factor; the blockade was soon to lead to serious shortages and later outright destitution.

From 1915 onwards Germany repeatedly had to act to help its weaker ally Austria-Hungary. At the section of the front in Galicia and Volhynia where Jaroslav Hašek and his Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 took part in 1915, troops of the Dual Monarchy were supported by German units and three of these are mentioned in the novel (see Posen, Hanover and Brandenburg). Although Germany plays a peripheral role in the novel, it appears considerably more often in the stories Jaroslav Hašek wrote when serving in the Czech exile organisations in Russia in 1916 and 1917. These mainly served propaganda purposes against the Central Powers and Germany is, as one would expect, portrayed in a negative way. Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí and the story Gott strafe England are typical examples. In the autumn of 1916 the author spent much of his time at the front by the river Stochod (now Stochid), where they faced the German army.

The defeat in 1918 meant the end of imperial Germany and the Versailles peace treaty of 1919 forced Germany to cede large areas; mostly to Poland and France but also smaller areas to Denmark, Belgium and Czechoslovakia. Germany suffered more than 2 million fallen and in addition a few hundred thousand civilians died due to hunger and shortages. The economic, social and political consequences of the of defeat were fatal and to a large extent it paved the way for Nazism and the even more disastrous Second World War.

Jaroslav Hašek and Germany

Serving the Bolsheviks in 1919 and 1920, Jaroslav Hašek worked closely with German internationalists (communists), recruited from prisoner of war camps. There is every indication that he closely followed the revolutionary movement in Germany and at this time he even wrote a poem in German. It was called Spartaks Helden and was a homage to the murdered communists Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht. The poem is however dangerously close plagiarism, borrowing heavily from Erich Mühsam's Generalstreik - Marsch.

Jaroslav Hašek visited Germany in the summer of 1904, probably Bavaria only. Here he at least must have spent a few weeks and he wrote a handful of short stories about this trip. He knew German well although quotes from the novel indicate certain shortcomings (in the German translation numerous German-language quotes are corrected). In another story he indicates that he visited Dresden, which is also very probable.

On 8 December 1920 Hašek again set foot on German soil. He and his wife Russian wife Alexandra arrived from Tallinn to Swinemünde (now Swinoujście). They were returning from Russia as repatriates and took the train onwards from Stettin (now Szczecin) in the evening on 9 December. The stay on German soil was brief, probably less than 48 hours, with a likely change of trains in Berlin before they travelled onwards to Pardubice where they arrived in the evening of the "second day” (probably 10 December).

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1] „Může být,“ pokračoval v líčení budoucnosti Rakouska, „že nás v případě války s Tureckem Němci napadnou, poněvadž Němci a Turci drží dohromady. Jsou to takový potvory, že jim není v světě rovno. Můžeme se však spojit s Francií, která má od 71. roku spadeno na Německo. A už to půjde. Válka bude, víc vám neřeknu.“

[I.14.3] A vopravdu, lidi hned byli rádi, že to tak dobře dopadlo, že mají doma čistokrevný zvíře, a že jsem jim moh nabídnout třebas vršovickýho špice za jezevčíka, a voni se jen divili, proč takovej vzácnej pes, kerej je až z Německa, je chlupatej a nemá křivý nohy.

[I.15] Nebyl o nic horší než německý básník Vierordt, který uveřejnil za války verše, aby Německo nenávidělo a zabíjelo s železnou duší milióny francouzských ďáblů..

[I.15] Potom si vypravovali o tom, že se obilí od nás vozí do Německa, němečtí vojáci že dostávají cigarety a čokoládu.

Also written:Německo cz Deutschland de

Literature

• Přátelský zápas mezi Tillingen a Höchstädt Jaroslav Hašek, Rudé pravo 10.7.1921
• I vyklepal prach z obuvi své... Jaroslav Hašek, Večerní České slovo 13.2.1921 ...

	Holice
Wikipedia czdeen MapSearch

Holice, 1925

Ottův slovník naučný, 1897.

Holice was the home of a farmer who was the victim of a failed robbery and murder. The attacker was one of the six who was locked up with Švejk at c.k. policejní ředitelství. He kept away from the other prisoners to avoid being suspected of having committed a political crime.

Background

Holice is a small town by Pardubice with a population of 6,542 (2022).

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.2] „Kvůli Sarajevu!“, „kvůli Ferdinandovi!“, „kvůli té vraždě na panu arcivévodovi!“, „pro Ferdinanda!“, „za to, že pana arcivévodu odpravili v Sarajevu!“. Šestý, který se těch pěti stranil, řekl, že s nimi nechce nic mít, aby na něho nepadlo nijaké podezření, on že tu sedí jen pro pokus loupežné vraždy na pantátovi z Holic.

Also written:Holitz de

	Řetězová ulice
MapSearch Švejkův slovník

kol.1915 • Průhled Řetězovou ulicí. Uprostřed v pozadí dům čp. 232 v Husově ulici na Starém Městě.

Řetězová ulice in the guise of Café Montmartre was where a fat owner of a paper shop had been observed drunk by detective detective Brixi in the company of two Serbian students. This led directly to the cell at c.k. policejní ředitelství.

Background

Řetězová ulice is a street right in the centre of Prague, next to the current tourist track. Café Montmartre was at the time located here, and is now (2010) open for business on the same premises.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.2] Výjimku dělal neobyčejně tlustý pán s brýlemi, s uplakanýma očima, který byl zatčen doma ve svém bytě, poněvadž dva dny před atentátem v Sarajevu platil „U Brejšky“ za dva srbské studenty, techniky, útratu a detektivem Brixim byl spatřen v jejich společnosti opilý v „Montmartru“ v Řetězové ulici, kde, jak již v protokole potvrdil svým podpisem, též za ně platil.

Also written:Kettengasse de

Literature

• Řetězová ulice Praga Magica

	Hodkovičky
Wikipedia cz MapSearch

Hodkovičky was where the chairman of the local charity Spolek Dobromil was unlucky with his statements as the police arrived to ask them to stop the festivities as Austria was in a state of sorrow. The chairman ended up in the cell at c.k. policejní ředitelství with Švejk and the other conspirators.

Background

Hodkovičky is a district on the southern outskirst of Prague by Vltava. Hodkovičky was in 1914 still a village and became part of the capital as lates as in 1949.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.2] Třetí spiklenec byl předseda dobročinného spolku „Dobromil“ v Hodkovičkách. V den, kdy byl spáchán atentát, pořádal „Dobromil“ zahradní slavnost spojenou s koncertem. Četnický strážmistr přišel, aby požádal účastníky, by se rozešli, že má Rakousko smutek, načež předseda „Dobromilu“ řekl dobrácky: „Počkají chvilku, než dohrajou ,Hej, Slované’.“

	London
Wikipedia czdeennnno MapSearch

"Světem letem", Enrique Stanko Vráz,  1896.

London is a side-theme when one of Švejk's inmates at c.k. policejní ředitelství states that no assasinations interest him whatsoever, be it in Prague, Vienna, Sarajevo or London.

Background

London was in 1914 not only capital of England but also the vast British Empire. The declaration of war against Germany on 4 August 1914 and against Austria-Hungary on 12 August were issued from here. The city was from 1915 onwards exposed to German air raids and 670 were killed. Counting the fallen soldiers, the losses reached 124,000. Other references connected to London in the novel are: Sir Edward Grey and the magazine Country Life.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.2] „Mne vůbec žádná vražda nezajímá, ať je třebas v Praze, ve Vídni, v Sarajevu nebo v BLondýně). Od toho jsou úřady, soudy a policie. Jestli někde někoho zabijou, dobře mu tak, proč je trouba a tak neopatrný, že se dá zabít.“

Also written:Londýn cz

	Záběhlice
Wikipedia czen MapSearch

Panoramatický pohled na Záběhlice. V pozadí vlevo kostel Narození P. Marie, vpravo v dáli Spořilov, 1929

© AHMP

Záběhlice is mentioned in an anecdote by Švejk where the question of guilt is on the agenda. Švejk "encouraged" his cell-mates with the fact that Jesus Christ was also innocent, but was sentenced nevertheless, just like the hapless gypsy in Záběhlice.

In [II.3] Sappeur Vodička tells Švejk about a brawl he had instigated at the local restaurant Na Růžovém ostrově.

Background

Záběhlice is the name of several places in Bohemia but the two near Prague are the likeliest candidates. Det first and most likely candidate is a minor town that was situated in okres Vršovice and has been a district of Prague since 1922. In the anecdote that Sappeur Vodička tells Švejk this is definitely the place because he mentions Na Růžovém ostrově.

The other in the cicinity of Prague is located by Zbraslav and was somewhat smaller. Other locations with this name are found by Ledeč in Vysočina, by Příbram, and in Sedlčansko.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.2] Nebo ten nevinnej cikán v Záběhlicích, co se vloupal do toho hokynářskýho krámu na Boží hod vánoční v noci. Zapřísáh se, že se šel vohřát, ale nic mu to nepomohlo.

[II.3] „Plácnu taky ženskou, Švejku, mně je to jedno, to ještě neznáš starýho Vodičku. Jednou v Záběhlicích na ,Růžovým ostrově’ nechtěla se mnou jít jedna taková maškara tančit, že prej mám voteklou hubu.

Also written:Zaběhlitz de

	Kočevje
Wikipedia czdeenit MapSearch Švejkův slovník

© Richard Ruppe

Břetislav Hůla.

Kočevje is indirectly mentioned through the term Kočevje-basket. This is when a Bosnian entered c.k. policejní ředitelství and was afraid to loose his basket.

Background

Kočevje is a town and region in southern Slovenia that gave rise to the Czech expression Kočevje-basket. It was a basket that pedlars wore on their chest, supported by a belt around the shoulder.

The area around Kočevje was for 600 years a German-speaking enclave, known as Gottschee. The language Gottscheerisch is classed as Oberbairisch (Upper Bavarian) but over the centuries in isolation it grew more and more distinct from its origin.

After devastation by the Turks around 1500, the impoverished inhabitants were given imperial privileges to trade in the neighbouring areas, and they eventually expanded their trade as far as Vienna and Prague, carrying their characteristic baskets. The pedlars from Gottschee became a regular occurrence across large parts of the Habsburg empire, particularly in winter. The trade started to suffer with the advance of the industrial revolution and better transport, but the final blow was the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, which left most of the Gottscheerer's markets beyond the new national borders.

It seems that the term Kočevje basket is particular to the Czech language and to my knowledge no similar term exist in German. In Grete Reiner's translation of the novel, a footnote is added to explain the meaning of Gottscheerkorb. The generic term in German is Hausiererkorb (pedlar's basket). None of the three English translations convey the geographical origin of the term, and Paul Selver's translation has no reference to the basket at all.

The dissolution of Austria-Hungary was only the first in a series of setbacks for the Gottschee community. They suffered severe discrimination in inter-war Yugoslavia, and in 1941 a disaster hit the region: the still numerous Gottschee inhabitants were forcibly moved because an agreement between Hitler and Mussolini decided that Kočevje was to become part of Italy. In post-war Yugoslavia the language was even forbidden. Today the language is close to extinction; only scattered individuals in the USA, Austria, Slovenia and Germany master it. According to UNESCO Gottscheerisch is amongst the world's critically endangered languages.

Gottscheerkorb

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.2] Zatím přivedli nové dva. Jeden z nich byl Bosňák. Chodil po komoře, skřípal zuby a každé jeho druhé slovo bylo: „Jeben ti dušu.“ Mučilo ho pomyšlení, že se mu na policejním ředitelství ztratí jeho kočebrácký košík.

Also written:Gottschee de Cocevie it

Literature

• Gottschee.de Gottschee.de
• Das Gottscheerland die Heimat der Gottscheer www.gottscheerland.at

	Eliščin most
Wikipedia czen MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Eliščin most is mentioned in an anecdote by Švejk about how well prison inmates are treated nowadays. The story refers to Jan Nepomucký who is said to have been thrown off this bridge and drowned.

The bridge is mentioned again in Part Three, now by Lieutenant Leutnant Dub who uses the formal term Most císaře Františka Josefa I.

Background

Eliščin most was the colloquial name for Most císaře Františka Josefa I. across Vltava in the northern part of Prague. It was demolished in 1947 and in it's place the current Štefánikův most was built. Both the old and the new bridge have been renamed several times, the latest such occurrence was in 1997.

The body of the saint was in fact thrown off Karlův most.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.2] Nebo mu dali nohy do španělský boty a natáhli ho na žebřík, když se nechtěl přiznat, nebo mu pálili boky hasičskou pochodní, jako to udělali svatému Janu Nepomuckému. Ten prej řval při tom, jako když ho na nože bere, a nepřestal, dokud ho neshodili s Eliščina mostu v nepromokavým pytli.

Also written:Eliška's bridge Parrott the Eliška bridge Sadlon Elisabethbrücke de

Literature

• Encyklopedia mostů Josef Dušan

	Golgotha
Wikipedia czdeennnno MapSearch

Golgota, Gemälde von Mihály von Munkácsy, Öl auf Leinwand, 460 × 712 cm (1884) Déri-Museum, Debrecen

Golgotha is handled symbolically by the author: Švejk bore his cross to his Golgotha in the third department of c.k. policejní ředitelství.

Background

Golgotha was an execution ground outside Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified between two rebels. The name is a Greek form of the Arameic version Gûlgaltâ, which means «skull», and the name might refer to natural formations that resemble a skull or a place where many skulls are found. Golgotha is believed to have been near Jerusalem, but the location has not been confirmed.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.2] A tak, stoupaje po schodišti do III. oddělení k výslechu, Švejk nesl svůj kříž na vrchol Golgoty, sám ničeho nepozoruje o svém mučednictví.

Also written:Golgota cz Golgatha de

	Roman Empire
Wikipedia czdeenitlannno MapSearch

Roman Empire is first mentioned at c.k. zemský co trestní soud when the author describes the prosecutors as "the 1914 versions of Pontius Pilatus". Later on the empire is mentioned by the pious field chaplain in [I.12], by the author again in [II.2] (see Gallic Sea) and also on several other occasions. Overall this surely reflects the author's interest in ancient history and history in general.

Background

Roman Empire was a civilisation that developed from the city state of Rome, founded on the Italian peninsula in the 8th century before Christ. Through its life span of 1200 years, the Roman civilisation changed from being a monarchy to a republic to become an empire. It came to dominate the western part of Europe and the area around Mediterranean Sea by conquest and integration. The empire collapsed through foreign invasions in the 5th century, known as the end of the Roman Empire and start of medieval times.

The Roman Empire left a lasting cultural legacy and is together with ancient Greece regarded the cradle of European civilisation. Formal remnants of the empire lasted until the age of Napoléon in guise of the Holy German-Roman Empire where several Habsburg rulers were nominal heads. Czech king Karel IV was also Roman Emperor.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.3] Vracela se slavná historie římského panství nad Jerusalemem. Vězně vyváděli i představovali je před Piláty roku 1914tého dolů do přízemku.

[I.12] Zdálo se, že se vracejí doby pronásledování prvních křesťanů. Bývalý katecheta zpíval nějakou píseň mučedníků z římské arény a řval: „Věřím v pána boha, nezapřu ho. Nech si své víno! Mohu si sám pro ně poslat.“

[II.2] Tam někde na severu u Galského moře, kam až se také dostaly římské legie Caesarovy bez mapy, řekly si jednou, že se zas vrátí a pomašírujou jinou cestou, aby ještě víc toho užily, do Říma.

[II.2] ,Nieder’ zůstane ,nieder’, i kdybyste se, bando, v tom blátě rozkrájeli. ,Nieder’ bylo už ve starém Římě, tenkrát už museli všichni rukovat od sedmnácti do šedesáti let a sloužilo se třicet let v poli a neváleli se jako prasata v kasárnách. Byla tenkrát taky jednotná armádní řeč a velení. To by se na to byli páni římští důstojníci podívali, aby mužstvo mluvilo etrurisch.

Also written:Starověký Řím cz Römisches Reich de Impero romano it Imperium Romanum la

	Jerusalem
Wikipedia czdeennnno MapSearch

Jerusalem is mentioned by the author when he describes the staff of c.k. zemský co trestní soud as "1914's variation on Pontius Pilate".

Background

Jerusalem was at the time of Pontius Pilate capital of the Roman province of Judea.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.3] Vracela se slavná historie římského panství nad Jerusalemem. Vězně vyváděli i představovali je před Piláty roku 1914 tého dolů do přízemku.

Also written:Jeruzalém cz

	Plzeň
Wikipedia czdeennn MapSearch

The Pilsner Urquell brewery in 1914

Plzeň is mentioned indirectly in connection with the Pilsner beer that the staff of c.k. zemský co trestní soud get from Teissig. Later in the novel the city's name appears again when Švejk mentions the execution of the gypsy gipsy Janeček.

In [II.2] the city is mentioned again because Toníček Mašků was called up for k.k. Landwehr there. In that case he would have served with k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 7.

Background

Plzeň was one of the most important industrial centres in Austria-Hungary. It was the monarchy's primary weapons forge and Škoda delivered the bulk of the heavy artillery to the army, and even supplied Germany.

The city is nowadays best known for having given name to the Pilsner beer that has been brewed since 1842 and has now become a somewhat imprecise term for pale, bottom-fermented beers. The best known brands that are made in the city today are Pilsner Urquell and Gambrinus.

Hašek in Plzeň

Jaroslav Hašek visited Plzeň in summer 1913 together with Zdeněk Matěj Kuděj. The two writers sought out Karel Pelant, editor of the weekly Směr. He owed Hašek money for a couple of short stories but tried his best to avoid meeting the two. In the end they tricked him into appearing at U Salzmannů and the editor ended up paying the restaurant bill for his guests after an allmighty party.

The two stayed there for a couple of days and visited an impressive number of pubs. Plzeň was the final destination of a trip that had started in Prague and gone via Loděnice, Beroun, Nový Jáchymov, Rakovník, Ziroh and Rokycany. Most of it was done on foot and Kuděj describes the trip in his book Ve dvou se to lépe táhne (1923-24). Hašek mentions the editor in the story O upřímnem přátelství, albeit without mentioning his name (nor does Kuděj).

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.3] A vyšetřující soudcové, Piláti nové doby, místo aby si čestně myli ruce, posílali si pro papriku a plzeňské pivo k Teissigovi a odevzdávali nové a nové žaloby na státní návladnictví.

[II.2] „U nás byl taky jeden takovej nezbeda. Ten měl ject do Plzně k landvér, nějakej Toníček Mašků,“ povzdechla si babička, „von je vod mojí neteře příbuznej, a vodjel.

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Jaroslav Šerák, Z.M. Kuděj

Also written:Pilsen de

Literature

• O upřímnem přátelství Jaroslav Hašek,Zlatá Praha 19.9.1913

	Botič
Wikipedia czde MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Botič is mentioned in the anecdote Švejk tells his cell-mates at c.k. zemský co trestní soud. He had been assaulted by a bridge over this stream in Nusle, having been mistaken for someone else.

Background

Botič is a stream in the south-eastern part of Prague. It ends in the Vltava by Vyšehrad after flowing through Vršovice and Nusle.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.3] Jako jednou v Nuslích, právě u mostu přes Botič, přišel ke mně v noci jeden pán, když jsem se vracel od Banzetů, a praštil mě bejkovcem přes hlavu, a když jsem ležel na zemi, posvítil si na mne a povídá: ,Tohle je mejlka, to není von.’

	Most přes Botič
Wikipedia czde MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Archiv Hlavního Města Prahy.

Most přes Botič is mentioned in the anecdote Švejk tells his cell-mates at c.k. zemský co trestní soud. He had been assaulted by the bridge across Botič in Nusle.

Background

Most přes Botič was one of the bridges across Botič in Nusle. The main bridge for pedestrians was the one carrying Havlíčkova třída from Vinohrady to Nusle. This was also the bridge that was closest to the centre of the town.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.3] Jako jednou v Nuslích, právě u mostu přes Botič, přišel ke mně v noci jeden pán, když jsem se vracel od Banzetů, a praštil mě bejkovcem přes hlavu, a když jsem ležel na zemi, posvítil si na mne a povídá: ,Tohle je mejlka, to není von.’

Also written:Bridge across Botič en Bru over Botič no

	Podolí
Wikipedia czennl MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Podolí is mentioned is the same anecdote as U Bansethů and Botič, indirectly through the local church: Podolský kostelík.

In [II.3] Podolí resurfaces when Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek relates about his experiences as editor of Svět zvířat.

Background

Podolí is since 1922 a district of Prague. It is located on the eastern bank of the Vltava between Vyšehrad to the north and Braník to the south. To the east is Pankrác and Nusle. Podolí was until 1922 administratively part of Vinohrady.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.3] Votevřel si klíčem podolskej kostelík, poněvadž myslel, že je doma, zul se v sakristii, poněvadž myslel, že je to u nich ta kuchyně, a lehl si na voltář, poněvadž myslel, že je doma v posteli, a dal na sebe nějaký ty dečky se svatými nápisy a pod hlavu evangelium a ještě jiný svěcený knihy, aby měl vysoko pod hlavou.

[II.3] Zkroucené postavy smažených mřínků svědčí o tom, že umírajíce protestují proti tomu, aby byli v Podole smaženi zaživa na margarinu. Hnát krocana...

	Kladno
Wikipedia czdeenno MapSearch

Kladno, 1920

Schematismus der k. k. Landwehr und der k. k. Gendarmerie 1910.

Světozor,  2.10.1908.

Kladno is partly a theme in Švejk's story about Rittmeister Rotter who trained his dogs on tramps. The same storz reappers during Švejk's stay at Švarcenberský ovčín but now it is told by a tramp.

Background

Kladno is an industrial city west of Prague and was a vital hub of the labour movement even under Austria-Hungary. It was from here that a failed Communist coup and general strike was organised in December 1920. Jaroslav Hašek was designed by Komintern to play a role in it but arrived a few days after the coup had been put down.

Rotter in Kladno

The mentioned Rittmeister Rotter actually served in Kladno as head of Gendarmerieabteilung Nr. 9 for a period in 1909 and 1910 and during he experimented with use of dogs in the police force. Curiously Josef Lada claims that he and Hašek visited Rotter in Kladno on 28 June 1914[a] but at the time Rotter had lived in Písek at least since 1911[b].

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.3] Taky vám dám příklad, jak se na Kladně zmejlil jeden policejní pes, vlčák toho známého rytmistra Rottera.

[II.2] "Voní ho měli i dřív," ozval se vandrák, "já pamatuju, že na Kladně bejval četnickým rytmistrem nějakej pan Rotter.

Sources: Josef Lada

Literature

• Kladno minulé Kladno minulé

	Kladensko
MapSearch

Unhošť

Kladensko is part of the anecdote about Rittmeister Rotter and his police dogs and the experiments with letting the dogs chase down tramps.

Background

Kladensko is the Czech name of the Kladno district west of Prague. Jaroslav Hašek visited the area on 28 June 1914 together with Josef Lada. See Kačák for more information.

Kladensko was probably a term that was synonymous with hejtmanství Kladno, a region counting 80,785 inhabitants distributed across the two judicial districts Kladno and Unhošť, totalling 45 local communities (1913)[a].

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.1.3] Taky vám dám příklad, jak se na Kladně zmejlil jeden policejní pes, vlčák toho známýho rytmistra Rottra. Rytmistr Rotter pěstoval ty psy a dělal pokusy s vandráky, až se Kladensku počali všichni vandráci vyhejbat.

[II.2] Tak dal rozkaz, aby četnictvo po celým Kladencku sbíralo houževnatě vandráky a dodávalo je přímo do jeho rukouch.

[II.2] Vzal jsem to k údolí Kačáku do lesů, do jedný rokle, a za půl hodiny byli už dva ty vlčáci u mne, povalili mne, a zatímco jeden mne držel za krk, ten druhej běžel do Kladna, a za hodinu přišel sám pan rytmistr Rotter ke mně s četníky, zavolal na psa a dal mně pětikorunu a povolení, že můžu po celý dva dny na Kladencku žebrat. Ale kdepak já, běžel jsem, jako když mně hlavu zapálí, na Berounsko a víckrát jsem se na Kladencku neukázal.

	Lánské lesy
Wikipedia czdeen MapSearch

Lánské lesy is mentioned in the same story as Kladno, about police chief Rittmeister Rotter and his dogs.

Background

Lánské lesy is a forested area by Kladno, named after the nearby town of Lány. See Kladensko.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.3] Tak mu přivedli jednou tak dost slušně ošaceného člověka, kterého našli v lánských lesích sedět na nějakém pařezu.

Also written:Laner Wäldern de Lány-skogane no

	Pacific Ocean
Wikipedia czdeennnno MapSearch

SMS Kaiserin Elisabeth

Pacific Ocean briefly enters the story when the commission of court doctors ask Švejk how deep the Pacific is at its deepest. In [III.3] the ocean is mentioned again in the anecdote about Koudela.

Background

Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world oceans and also the deepest ocean on earth. The point Švejk is asked about is the 10,911 metres deep Mariana Trench.

In 1914 fighting occurred in the Pacific Ocean and Germany was soon forced to abandon her colonies there, almost without bloodshed. At the outbreak of war, the German "Pacific Fleet" (Ostasiengeschwader) was ordered to sail home, but nearly all the ships were sunk on the way. Austria-Hungary had one vessel in the Pacific. SMS Kaiserin Elisabeth was sunk by its own crew on 2 November 1914 during the Japanese siege of the German navy base Tsingtao.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.3] Soudní lékaři podívali se významně na sebe, nicméně jeden s nich dal ještě tuto otázku: „Neznáte nejvyšší hloubku v Tichém oceáně?“ „To prosím neznám,“ zněla odpověď, „ale myslím, že rozhodně bude větší než pod vyšehradskou skálou na Vltavě.“

Also written:Tichý Oceán cz Pazifische Ozean de

	Vyšehrad
Wikipedia czdadeen MapSearch

Vyšehrad is named 4 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Vyšehrad enters the dialogue when Švejk answers the psychiatric commission that Pacific Ocean must be deeper than Vltava below Vyšehrad. In Part Two Švejk mentions the district in a couple of anecdotes. See Sjå Božetěchova ulice and Neklanova ulice.

Background

Vyšehrad is the oldest part of Prague, known for the historic fortress. It is located on a rock by Vltava, between the current districts of Nové město and Nusle. The national cemetery is also located here.

In 1913 this city district was identical to the VI. district of the royal capital, officially called Královské Vyšehrad.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.3] Soudní lékaři podívali se významně na sebe, nicméně jeden s nich dal ještě tuto otázku: „Neznáte nejvyšší hloubku v Tichém oceáně?“ „To prosím neznám,“ zněla odpověď, „ale myslím, že rozhodně bude větší než pod vyšehradskou skálou na Vltavě.“

[II.2] V Božetěchově ulici na Vyšehradě jeden rozzuřenej otec, který myslel, že si z něho úřady dělají legraci, pověsil tu medalii na záchod a jeden policajt, který s ním měl na pavlači ten záchod společnej, udal ho pro velezrádu, a tak si to ten chudák odskákal.

[II.3] "Z toho tě, Vodičko, vyvedu. Víš, kde je na Vyšehradě Neklanova ulice? Tam měl dílnu zámečník Voborník.

Also written:Wyschehrad de

	England
Wikipedia czdeennnno MapSearch

England is first mentioned indirectly at Blázinec where the inmates could pretend to be King of England without any repercussions.

Later England appears c couple of times through the propaganda expression Gott strafe England.

Apart from this there are very connection to England in The Good Soldier Švejk. Amongst the few references are London, Sir Edward Grey, Shrapnel, Dalton, Darwin, Yorkshire (pig) and the Country Life magazine.

Background

England was in 1914 centre of the British Empire, the largest colonial power the world has ever seen. The empire entered the war on 4 August, through the alliance with France and Russia (the Entente), provoked by the German attack on Belgium. The declaration of war on Austria-Hungary followed on 12 August.

There was only limited fighting between British and Austro-Hungarian forces as the former mostly operated on the Western Front, in the Middle East, in the colonies and on the seas. By the end of 1914 allmost all the German colonies had been conqured. The British Empire's economic power and its control of the seas were crucial to the outcome of the war. Particularly effective was the naval blockade of the Central Powers.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.4] Člověk se tam může vydávat za pánaboha nebo za panenku Marii, nebo za papeže, nebo za anglickýho krále, nebo za císaře pána, nebo za sv. Václava, ačkoliv ten poslední byl pořád svázanej a nahej a ležel v isolaci.

[I.8] Baronka zatím vytahovala dárky z koše. Tucet pečených kuřat, zabalených do růžového hedvábného papíru a ovázaných černožlutou hedvábnou stužkou, dvě láhve nějakého válečného likéru s etiketou „Gott strafe England!“

[I.14.5] Francie, Anglie i Rusko jsou příliš slabé proti rakousko-turecko-německé žule.

[I.14.5] Pro chmel je nyní ztracena Francie, Anglie, Rusko i Balkán.

[II.3] Bylo jen slyšet, že zástupce vlády, když už byl po krk ve vodě, vykřikl: Gott strafe England!

[II.3] K nim přistupovaly dámy a rozdávaly jim perník s cukrovými nápisy „Sieg und Rache“, „Gott strafe England“, „Der Österreicher hat ein Vaterland. Er liebt’s und hat auch Ursach für’s Vaterland zu kämpfen.“

Also written:Anglie cz Angleterre fr

Literature

• Gott strafe England Jaroslav Hašek, Československý voják 15.10.1917 (28.10)
• Gott strafe England! Böhmerwald Volksbote 6.5.1915
• Jak se loučil podivně se starým rokem 1728 starý sir Archibald Jaroslav Hašek, Svět 23.12.1912

	Krkonoše
Wikipedia czdeennnpl MapSearch

Krkonoše is mentioned when it is revealed that a professor at Blázinec claimed that the cradle of the gypsys was in these very mountains.

Background

Krkonoše is a mountain range on the border between Poland and the Czech Republic, in 1914 the border between Austria-Hungary and Germany. The name is very old, was mentioned by Ptolemaios, and may be of indo-european origin. The interpretation of the name has been preserved, and the latin name was Gigantei montes. These are the highest mountains in the Czech Republic, Sněžka reaches 1602 metres.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.4] Taky jsem se tam sešel s několika profesory. Jeden s nich pořád chodil za mnou a vykládal, že kolíbka cikánů byla v Krkonoších, a ten druhý mně vysvětloval, že uvnitř zeměkoule je ještě jedna mnohem větší než ta vrchní.

Also written:Giant Mountains en Riesengebirge de Karkonosze pl

	Jaroměř
Wikipedia czdeensv MapSearch

Jaroměř, 1910.

Jaroměř k.k. Landwehr Kaserne.

Jaroměř is mentioned when Švejk, during his interrogation, list the songs he knows. Immediately after he is thrown out of Blázinec. This song, Když jsme táhli k Jaroměři, is mentioned twice more in the novel.

Background

Jaroměř is an old town near Hradec Králové in eastern Bohemia. Today (2017) the town has around 12,000 inhabitants.

The song

The military song the Švejk sings twice and mentions once during the plot is said to have been on of Hašek's favourites and is also mentioned in one of his short stories, Sportovní fejeton from 1911. According to Václav Pletka it was originally was called Když jsme táhli k Ostroměři, indicating that the origin was from the 1866 war with Prussia. The song has over the years appeared in many guises, some of them pretty vulgar.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.4] „Znám ještě první sloku z ,Kde domov můj’ a potom ,Jenerál Windischgrätz a vojenští páni od východu slunce vojnu započali’ a ještě pár takových národních písniček jako ,Zachovej nám, Hospodine’ a ,Když jsme táhli k Jaroměři’ a ,Tisíckrát pozdravujeme Tebe’...“

[II.1] Když jsme táhli k Jaroměři, ať si nám to kdo chce věří...

[III.4] Když jsme táhli k Jaroměři, ať si nám to kdo chce věří, přišli jsme tam asi právě k večeři...

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák

Literature

• Když jsme táhli k Jaroměři Jaroslav Šerák
• Zeměbranecká kasárna v Jaroměři Turistika.cz 2020

	Salmova ulice
MapSearch Švejkova cesta Švejkův slovník

Salmovská towards Ječná, marking the site of the former police station.

Pokrok západu, 2.4.1902.

Národní listy, 6.6.1891.

Salmova ulice is first mentioned at the end of [I.4] when Švejk was sent to the police station in this street after being thrown out of the madhouse. Here he encounters the brutal inspector Inspektor Braun and shares the cell with a good citizen who has ended on a slippery slope after a company party. The date of his stay must be just after 28 June 1914 because Švejk reads the declaration of war as he is escorted onwards to c.k. policejní ředitelství. Nearly all of [I.5] takes place at this police station.

Background

Salmova ulice is the author's way of writing Salmovská ulice, a short and curved street in Praha II., not far from U kalicha. At the time there was a police station at the corner of Ječná ulice (see Policejní komisařství Salmova ulice). The street is named after Franz Altgraf von Salm-Reifferscheid who at the end of the 18th century laid out a large garden behind house No. 506.

Naming conclicts

Why the author used the name Salmova ulice is not clear. The name of the street was changed from Salmova to Salmovská already in 1870 but newspaper adverts show that Salmova was in use well into the interwar years. Thus the name was used side-by-side with the official Salmovská, so the use of Salmova is surely the author's choice (and not a typing mistake).

The wood trader Švejk

Interesting enough an advert from 1891 was placed by a certain Josef Švejk who lived in No. 14. He put beech planks up for sale.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.4] Švejk prohlásil, že když někoho vyhazují s blázince, že ho nesmějí vyhodit bez oběda. Výtržnosti učinil konec vrátným přivolaný policejní strážník, který Švejka předvedl na policejní komisařství do Salmovy ulice.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák

Also written:Salmgasse de

Literature

• Verbauung des Salmgarten Der Bautechniker 29.7.1887
• Bukových fošen Národní listy 6.6.1891
• Salmovská: (II.-Nové město) Stehlíkův historický a orientační průvodce ulicemi hlavního města Prahy 1929
• Hledání Josefa Švejka v archivech Jaroslav Šerák

	Marathon
Wikipedia czdeennn MapSearch

1896 Olympic Marathon

Národní politika, 26.10.1908.

Marathon is mentioned indirectly by the author through the term marathon Run. The arrested family father at the police station in Salmova ulice runs around is if he wants to win a marathon and screams: "Let me out!"

Background

Marathon is the former name of Marathónas, a small town north of Athens that has been widely known through the marathon run. According to legend a messenger ran to Athens with the news of victory at the battle of Marathon in 490 BC.

The marathon run was introduced during the first Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens. In the beginning the distance varies slightly until it was fixed at the current 42,195 metres in 1921. In 1914 the distance was 40.2 kilometres. The first official run in Kingdom of Bohemia took place on 25 October 1908 between Smíchov and Dobříš. It was arranged by S.K. Slavia and the distance was 40 km.

Today marathon is a big sport with hundreds of runs annually around the world. The largest take place in New York with more than 50,000 finishers (2013). Within old Austria-Hungary there are annual runs in, amongst others, Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava. Every year there is also a classic marathon along the presumed original route.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.5] Muž, který běhal mezi dveřmi a pryčnou, jako by chtěl vyhrát maratónský běh, se zastavil a udýchán se posadil opět na své staré místo, složil hlavu do dlaní a náhle zařval: "Pusťe mne ven!" "Ne, oni mne nepustí," mluvil pro sebe, "nepustí a nepustí. Už jsem zde od rána od šesti hodin."

	Královské Vinohrady
Wikipedia czdeen MapSearch

Kravín, where Hašek's party held pre-election meetings

Populuation statistics and administrative sub-division in 1913

Královské Vinohrady is named 15 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Královské Vinohrady is where Švejk's cell-mate from Policejní komisařství Salmova ulice is said to have made an exhibition of himself in a decent establishment. Vinohrady is mentioned again when Doctor Pávek arrives to cure Švejk's rheumatism in [I.7] and later the name appears in several anecdotes. The plot never explicitly takes place here.

Background

Královské Vinohrady is a former city and district of Prague, south east of the centre. Administratively it is split between Prague 2, 3 and 10. After 1968 the official name has been Vinohrady, and this short form was common already during Austrian rule. This is also the name the author uses throughout. In 1922 Vinohrady became part of the capital.

Vinohrady achieved status as "royal town" in 1879 and grew quickly to become the third largest city of Kingdom of Bohemia.

Hašek og Vinohrady

Jaroslav Hašek lived in various locations at Vinohrady from 1896 to 1908 and in shorter periods later. On 23 May 1910 he married Jarmila Mayerova here, in kostel svaté Ludmily. His famous "party" Strana mírného pokroku v mezích zákona held many of their election meetings here, mainly before the elections of 1911 where he according to legend stood as a candidate.

In the second version of Švejk, Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí, the main character lives in Vinohrady. Here his occupation was a cobbler, not a dog trader as he became known as later.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí Švejk actually lives in Vinohrady and his occupation is cobbler and not a dog trader. His servant is Bohuslav and he assumes part of the role Mrs. Müllerová has in The Good Soldier Švejk by pushing Švejk to the draft board in a wheelchair. Otherwise very little of the plot is set here.[1]

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.5] Tak jsme ho šli opět všude hledat a nakonec jsme se ztratili jeden druhému, až nakonec jsem se ocitl v jedné z nočních kaváren na Vinohradech, velmi slušné místnosti, kde jsem pil nějaký likér přímo z láhve.

[II.2] "O velkej stříbrnej medalii za udatnost, kterou dostal jeden truhlář z Vávrovy ulice na Král. Vinohradech, nějakej Mlíčko, poněvadž byl první, kterému u jeho regimentu utrh na začátku války granát nohu.

[II.2] Jednou přišel do Apolla na Vinohradech a tam se dostal do sporu s řezníky z porážky, kteří mu nakonec utrhli umělou nohu a praštili ho s ní přes hlavu.

[II.3] Jednou před lety byl v Praze nějakej Mestek a ten vobjevil mořskou pannu a ukazoval ji na Havlíčkově třídě na Vinohradech za plentou.

Also written:Königliche Weinberge de

Literature

• Adresář města Král. Vinohradů Julius Janeček 1912

	Ražice
Wikipedia czdeen MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Alois Chytil, 1915.

Ražice is first mentioned by Švejk in an anecdote about scouts he tells his fellow prisoner at the police station at Salmova ulice.

The place also appears in [I.14] and [II.2] and the good soldier must have been within a few kilometres on his anabasis in Part Two when he walked past Protivín til Putim after having stayed overnight at Švarcenberský ovčín.

Background

Ražice is a village in the Písek district in South Bohemia. It is an important railway junction between Písek, Budějovice and Plzeň.

Jaroslav Hašek knew the village very well and mentions it both in The Good Soldier Švejk and in some of his stories. See also ražická bašta.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.5] Potom na trápení u starosty, pod rákoskou, doznali, že není ani jedna louka v okolí, kterou by nebyli zváleli, když se vyhřívali na slunci, dále že ten lán žita nastojatě, právě před žněmi u Ražic, vyhořel čirou náhodou, když si v žitě pekli na rožni srnku, ku které se přikradli s noži v obecním lese.

[I.14.6] „Nejste vy Jarešův?“ otázala se dívka, začínajíc sympatisovat s neznámým vojáčkem. „Jsem.“ „A kterýho Jareše, toho z Krče u Protivína, nebo z Ražic?“ „Z Ražic.“

[II.2] Z Ražic za Protivínem syn Jarešův, dědeček starýho Jareše, baštýře, dostal za zběhnutí prach a volovo v Písku.

[II.2] Fakticky bylo tomu tak, že se s nimi nechtěl jednou v zimě tahat ve sněhu až do Písku, tak je u Ražic v polích pustil a vypálil ránu do vzduchu pro forma.

Also written:Ražitz de

Literature

• Z historie první světové války Obec Ražice

	Okres Hluboká
MapSearch

Some of the places Švejk mentions

Alois Chytil, 1915.

Okres Hluboká is mentioned in the story about scouts that Švejk tells the unhappy family father in the cell at Policejní komisařství Salmova ulice.

Background

Okres Hluboká refers to the okres (judicial district) named after its seat Hluboká. The district belonged to Okresní hejtmanství Budějovice as Švejk clearly states. The district counted 26 municipalities that were almost exclusively inhabited by Czechs: Bavorovice, Břehov, Čejkovice, Češnovice, Dasný, Dobřejice, Dříteň, Hluboká, Hosín, Hrdějice, Chlumec, Chotýčany, Jaroslavice, Jeznice, Česká Lhota, Lišnice, Munice, Mydlovary, Nakří, Opatovice, Pištín, Plastovice, Purkarec, Velice, Nová Ves, Volešník, Vyhlavy, Zbudov, Zliv.

Mydlovary plays a particularly prominent role because this is where Jaroslav Hašek had right of domicile and was thus under jurisdiction of the recruitment region of Infanterieregiment Nr. 91. See Ergänzungskommando.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.5] "U skautů?" zvolal Švejk. "O těch skautech rád slyším. Jednou v Mydlovarech u Zlivi, okres Hluboká, okresní hejtmanství České Budějovice, právě když jsme tam měli jednadevadesátí cvičení, udělali si sedláci z okolí hon na skauty v obecním lese, kteří se jim tam rozplemenili.

Literature

• Chytilův úplný adresář Království Českého Alois Chytil 1915

	Okresní hejtmanství Budějovice
Wikipedia de MapSearch

Alois Chytil, 1915.

Okresní hejtmanství Budějovice is mentioned in the story about the unfortunate scouts who Švejk tells the unhappy family father about in the cell at Policejní komisařství Salmova ulice.

Background

Okresní hejtmanství Budějovice was the local government district in the area around Budějovice. Apart from the district capital there were no major towns within its boundaries. In 1913 the district had a population of 120,659 of which nearly 80 per cent registered Czech as their mother tongue. In the city itself the ethnic balance was more even as nearly the entire German minority in the region lived here.

The district contained four okres: Budějovice, Hluboká, Lišov and Trhové Sviny. The office was located in Střelnická ulice, now třída 28. října.

Bezirkhauptmannschaft

This term (cz. okresní hejtmanství) needs clarification. The two most recent English translations of the novel interpret it as "police district", which it definitely isn't. It is rather the third level of government administration in Cisleithanien (i.e. the Austrian part of the Dual Monarchy). The next level up was the Statthalter (cz. místodržitel) who again reported directly to central government in Vienna. In the Hungarian part of the empire the equivalent to Bezirk was vármegye.

The Kingdom of Bohemia consisted of nearly 100 political districts politické okresy (politische Bezirke) that were created after a reform in 1868 that split the executive from the judicial administration. The distruicts often contained 3-4 soudní okresy (Gerichtsbezirke) but the number could vary. Often used in Czech is the shortened version hejtmanstvi, for instance in Ottův slovník naučný. Likewise soudní okres is referred to as simply okres.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.5] "U skautů?" zvolal Švejk. "O těch skautech rád slyším. Jednou v Mydlovarech u Zlivi, okres Hluboká, okresní hejtmanství České Budějovice, právě když jsme tam měli jednadevadesátí cvičení, udělali si sedláci z okolí hon na skauty v obecním lese, kteří se jim tam rozplemenili.

Also written:Bezirkshauptmannschaft Budweis de Okresní hejtmanství České Budějovice Švejk

Literature

• Úplný adresář hejtmanství Česko-Budějovického Václava Kudrnáč 1904
• Generalkarte der Bezirkhauptmannschaft Budweis Verlag V.F. Kytka
• Chytilův úplný adresář Království Českého Alois Chytil 1915
• Bezirkshauptmannschaft Wikipedia.de
• Okresní hejtmanství v českých zemích v roce 1900 Wu-lung

	Ječná ulice
MapSearch Švejkova cesta

The corner of Ječná and Karlovo náměstí.

Ječná ulice is one of the street Švejk walks though with police escort, on his way from Salmova ulice police station back to c.k. policejní ředitelství. The date must have been around 28 July 1914.

Background

Ječná ulice is a busy street in Praha II., leading from Karlovo náměstí to IP Pavlova. The family of Jaroslav Hašek lived in no. 7 for a while in 1884, the year after he was born.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.5] Ukloniv se uctivě, odcházel s policejním strážníkem dolů na strážnici a za čtvrt hodiny bylo již vidět na rohu Ječné ulice a Karlova náměstí Švejka v průvodu druhého policejního strážníka, který měl pod paždí objemnou knihu s německým nápisem „Arrestantenbuch“.

Also written:Gerstengasse de

	Karlovo náměstí
Wikipedia czdeen MapSearch Švejkova cesta Švejkův slovník

The author with his wife Jarmila at Karlovo náměstí

© LA-PNP

Karlovo náměstí is another place Švejk passes with police escort, on his way from Salmova ulice police station back to c.k. policejní ředitelství. The date must have been around 28 July 1914, the day of the declaration of war against Serbia.

The place is mentioned several times in Part One, and appears already in the first chapter, through the colloquial expression "Karlák".

In [I.13] the plot is again located here as Švejk and Feldkurat Katz go to the military hospital to perform the last rites. See Vojenská nemocnice na Karlově náměstí.

Background

Karlovo náměstí is the centre of Nové město and is one of the largest city squares in Europe. Today it appears more like a park than a square. It was founded by king Charles IV in 1348.

The square is right in the area where Jaroslav Hašek grew up and this is reflected in the number of places here that are mentioned in the novel: c.k. zemský co trestní soud, Černý pivovar, Vojenská nemocnice na Karlově náměstí, U mrtvoly, Kostel svátého Ignáce. Both the gymnasium and Obchodní akademie are located off the square.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.5] Ukloniv se uctivě, odcházel s policejním strážníkem dolů na strážnici a za čtvrt hodiny bylo již vidět na rohu Ječné ulice a Karlova náměstí Švejka v průvodu druhého policejního strážníka, který měl pod paždí objemnou knihu s německým nápisem „Arrestantenbuch“.

[I.13] Potom přečetl polní kurát ještě jednou předpis, ve kterém se mu oznamuje, že zítra má jít na Karlovo náměstí do Vojenské nemocnice zaopatřovat těžce raněné.

Also written:Charles Square en Karlsplatz de Karlsplassen no Karlák Švejk

Literature

• Charles Square Prague Wiki

	Spálená ulice
MapSearch Švejkova cesta Švejkův slovník

Spálená ulice, 1898

Spálená ulice appears in the plot when Švejk and his police escort stop at the corner of Karlovo náměstí - Spálená ul. to read a poster announcing the declaration of war on Serbia. The date was probably 28 July 1914.

The street is mentioned again in Švejk's anecdote about the bag maker bagmaker Kuneš who always lost his dogs.

Background

Spálená ulice is a street in Praha II. leading from Karlovo náměstí north towards Národní třída (then Ferdinandova třída). The name means "Burnt Street".

This street was also the home of Teissig og U Brejšky, restaurants that are mentioned in the novel.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.5] Na rohu Spálené ulice setkal se Švejk se svým průvodčím s tlupou lidí, kteří se tlačili kolem vyvěšeného plakátu. „To je manifest císaře pána o vypovězení války,“ řekl policejní strážník k Švejkovi.

[I.15] Ve Spálený ulici je nějakej brašnář Kuneš a ten nemoh jít se psem na procházku, aby ho neztratil. Vobyčejně ho nechal někde v hospodě nebo mu ho někdo ukrad nebo si ho vypůjčil a nevrátil...“

Also written:Brenntegasse de

Literature

• Stehlíkův historický a orientační průvodce ... František Stehlík
• Spálená ulice v Praze Zdeňka Kuchyňová, Radio Praha

	Europe
Wikipedia czdeennnno MapSearch

Europe is mentioned by the author in conjunction with the news that Austria-Hungary had declared war on Serbia: "and somewhere from distant history it dawned on Europe that tomorrow would obliterate the plans of today."

The continent is also mentioned twice in [III.2], but only in passing.

Background

Europe was at the outbreak of World War I far less fragmented than today, not the least because of Austria-Hungary that covered areas that now belong to 13 different states. Germany and Russia were also much larger than they are today.

The great war turned Europe upside down. The empires of Germany, the Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Russia all collapsed and the human and material losses were enormous. The total death toll is estimated to around 15 millions. Only Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway managed to preserve their neutrality.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.5] A kdesi v dálných dálavách historie snášela se k Evropě pravda, že zítřek rozboří i plány přítomnosti.

[II.3] "Tato jediná rakouská kolonie může ledem zásobit celou Evropu a jest znamenitým národohospodářským činitelem.

[II.3] Váš duševní obzor se vám ještě víc zouží, a když složíte někde na bojišti své kulturně zakrnělé kosti, po vás v celé Evropě nikdo nezapláče."

Also written:Evropa cz

	Příčná ulice
MapSearch

Příčná ulice is mentioned by Mrs. Palivcová who could tell Švejk that an upholsterer from there was the only one who had latched on to detective Bretschneider's bait since Švejk's and pubkeeper Palivec's arrest. The street later appears in the anecdote about bookbinder Božetěch in [IV.1].

Background

Příčná ulice is a very short street Nové město slightly east of Karlovo náměstí. It connects Žitna ulice and Navrátilova ulice (then Hopfenstockova ulice).

According to the address book from 1910 there was no upholsterer in this street, the closest were a few in Žitná ulice.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.6] Za tu celou dobu dostal na lep jen čalouníka z Příčné ulice.

Also written:Quergasse de

Literature

• Stehlíkův historický a orientační průvodce ulicemi hlavního města Prahy František Stehlík

	Račiněves
Wikipedia czdeen MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Ottův slovník naučný, 1904.

Račiněves is briefly mentioned in an advert Švejk reads aloud at U kalicha to divert detective Bretschneider's attention. See Straškov.

Background

Račiněves is a village by Roudnice nad Labem, 47 km north of Prague. As correctly pointed out in The Good Soldier Švejk it had a post office.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.6] Švejk sňal s věšáku nějaké noviny a prohlížeje si zadní stranu inserátů, ozval se: „Tak vida, tenhle Čimpera v Straškově č. 5, p. Račiněves, prodá hospodářství s třinácti korci vlastních polí, škola a dráha na místě.“

Literature

• Bříza, Račiněves Vencove pindy

	Straškov
MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Ottův slovník naučný, 1906.

Straškov is briefly mentioned in an advert from a certain Čimpera that Švejk reads aloud at U kalicha in order to distract detective Bretschneider. See Račiněves.

Background

Straškov is a village by Roudnice nad Labem, 47 km north of Prague. The nearby mountain Říp is according to legend the first place in Bohemia where arriving Czechs settled.

It is correctly pointed out in The Good Soldier Švejk that the post office was in Račiněves and that Straškov itself had a railway station and a school.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.6] Švejk sňal s věšáku nějaké noviny a prohlížeje si zadní stranu inserátů, ozval se: „Tak vida, tenhle Čimpera v Straškově č. 5, p. Račiněves, prodá hospodářství s třinácti korci vlastních polí, škola a dráha na místě.“

Literature

• Straškov-Vodochody Města obce online

	Dejvice
Wikipedia czen MapSearch

Dejvice appears when Švejk tells detective Bretschneider that he is aware of a toothless dog there which he can provide him with. In [II.3] it is mentioned in connection with bricklayer Mlíčko.

Background

Dejvice is an urban area and cadastral district in western Prague between the centre and the airport. It is administratively part of Prague 6, and is regarded as one of the more exclusive parts of the capital. The district became part of Prague in 1922 and Vítězné náměstí is regarded its focal point.

In 1913 Dejvice was still a separate administrative unit, although it was part of the Prague conurbation.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.6] „Já bych chtěl špice,“ s klidnou umírněností řekl Bretschneider, „špice, kterej by nekousal.“ „Přejete si tedy bezzubého špice?“ otázal se Švejk, „vím o jednom. Má ho jeden hostinský v Dejvicích.“

[II.3] "Von mně připomíná s těma drobnejma, který nemá", prohodil Švejk, "že je jako nějaký Mlíčko, zedník z Dejvic, ten taky neměl tak dlouho drobný, až se zasekal po krk a byl zavřenej pro podvod. Prožral velký a neměl drobný."

	Great St Bernard Pass
Wikipedia czdeenno MapSearch

Svět zvířat, 1910.

Světozor, 6.8.1915

Great St Bernard Pass is mentioned indirectly through the dog breed St Bernard (or Bernardiner) that has its name from the well known mountain pass in the Alps.

The dog breed first appears in [I.6] when Švejk avoids detective Bretschneider's attempts to trick him into compromising himself. This he duly achieves by giving totally off-topic responses, in this case a story about a Bernardiner puppet. In the same chapter Mrs. Müllerová reveals that she had a visit from the police when Švejk sat arrested and a Bernardiner bit a policeman before it ran away.

Later in the novel the dog breed appears several times, included in [I.14] during a conversation with Oberleutnant Lukáš and also during the preparation of the dog theft. Factory owner factory owner Vydra owned a Bernardiner that Blahník stole.

Background

Great St Bernard Pass is a mountain pass in the western Alps that has given name to the mentioned dog bread. The highest point is 2,469 metres above sea level and the pass connects Switzerland and Italy. It is named after Bernard of Aosta, better known as Saint Bernhard.

The dog breed

The St.Bernhard dogs are considered the largest of all dog breeds and may weight up to one hundred kilo and reach a height of one metre. It was originally bred by the sanctuary at Great St Bernard Pass and used for rescue duties in the mountains. One hundred years ago the dogs were much smaller than today, but because of the increased weight they are not longer suitable as avalanche- and rescue dogs.

Hašek and St.Bernhard dogs

Jaroslav Hašek doma,  Václav Menger.

At the time when Jaroslav Hašek edited the magazine Svět zvířat, the St Bernard dog appeared repeatedly on its pages, in text and photos. Further Václav Menger writes that Hašek once wrote an invented story about such a dog in České slovo, much to the annoyance of the dog's owner, the hotel proprietor Karel Černý from Černošice. The latter even appeared in the editorial offices in an agitated mood, with his enormous dog on a lead!

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.6] Švejk prohlásil, že neměl se státem co dělat, ale že jednou měl na ošetřování slabé štěně bernardýna, které krmil vojenskými suchary, a že také chcíplo.

[I.6] Pak šla stlát postel, neobyčejně pečlivě uváděla všechno do pořádku a vrátivši se ke Švejkovi do kuchyně se zaslzeným zrakem poznamenala: „Ty dvě štěňata, milostpane, co jsme měly na dvoře, chcíply. A ten bernardýn, ten nám utek, když tady dělali domovní prohlídku.“

[I.14.3] Kam se na něj hrabe takovej pitomej bernardýn. Je ještě chytřejší než foxteriér. Já jsem znal jednoho...

[I.14.6] „Pohostím ho hovězíma,“ rozhodl se Blahník, „na ty jsem už dostal bernardýna továrníka Vydry, náramně věrný zvíře. Zejtra ti psa přivedu v pořádku.“

Also written:Velký Svatobernardský průsmyk cz Grosser St. Bernhard de Col du Grand St-Bernard fr Colle del Gran San Bernardo it

Literature

• Historický přehled Klub chovatelů svatobernardských psů ČR
• Jaroslav Hašek doma Václav Menger 1935

	Brno
Wikipedia czdeennnno MapSearch

Světem letem, Enrique Stanko Vráz,  1896.

Baedekers Oesterreich 1910, s.332

Postcard from Hašek in 1902

Brno is mentioned by Mrs. Müllerová when she tells Švejk about the police interrogation after the latter had been arrested by detective Bretschneider. She was asked by the police if she had received money from abroad, and she said: "Yes, from Brno".

The city is mentioned only once more, in connection with Feldkurat Matyáš who died there without having paid off his debts.

Background

Brno is the second largest city of the Czech Republic with a population of around 380,000. The city has a strong industrial tradition is also seat of the country's most important legal institutions.

In 1914 Brno was the capital of Moravia, but the city was much smaller than today, also in area. At the time a majoriy of the 123,000 inhabitants was German (this number also includes the 15,000 Jews).

Hašek in Brno

Jaroslav Hašek visited Brno in 1902 on his way back from a trip to Slovakia. He wrote a post-card from here, addressed to his cousin Marie who at the time lived in Jaroměř. The card is also signed by Viktor Janota and Jan Čulen.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí is briefly mentioned in connection with a German Lehrerinnenverein and also the street Františkova ulice.[1]

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.6] Se mnou také dělali výslech, kdo k nám chodí, jestli nedostáváme nějaké peníze z ciziny, a potom dělali narážky, že jsem hloupá, když jsem jim řekla, že peníze z ciziny chodějí jen zřídka, posledně od toho pana řídícího z Brna ta záloha šedesát korun na angorskou kočku, kterou jste inseroval v Národní politice a místo toho jste mu poslal v bedničce od datlí to slepé štěňátko foxteriéra.

[I.13] „Vidíte: Polní kurát Matyáš v Brně, zemřel v isolační nemocnici před týdnem. Já bych si rval vlasy. Nezaplatil mně 1800 korun, a jde do cholerového baráku zaopatřovat nějakého člověka, po kterém mu nic nebylo.“>

Also written:Brünn de

Literature

• Stručný průvodce Brnem, severní částí moravského Krasu, Pernštýnem a Luhačovicemi 1914

	Angora
Wikipedia czdeenno MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Národní politika,  26.7.1908.

Svět zvířat,  22.2.1909.

Angora is here used as an adjective to denote a breed of cats, Angora. The cat race is mentioned several times in the novel.

It first appears when Mrs. Müllerová tells Švejk that she told the police that he had received for cat that he had advertised in Národní politika. The money were from "abroad", from a businessman in Brno.

The second cat [I.14] belonged to senior Oberleutnant Lukáš and takes part in the plot directly. It devours his canary bird after Švejk had the idea to let the cat and the bird together "to get used to each other". The cat soon after ended its life by eating shoe polish [I.15].

Background

Angora is the historical name of Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Ankara is the second largest city in the country and has been capital since 1923. The Angora cat is a breed of domestic cats originating from central Asia Minor.

Pictures of Angora-cats appeared on the pages of the animal magazine Svět zvírat during the time Jaroslav Hašek edited the periodical (1909-1910). At the same time he wrote a story about the Angora tomcat Bobeš, a cat that could talk. The story's title was O domýšlivém kocouru Bobešovi (About the vain tomcat Bobeš) and was printed in Svět zvířat on 1 March 1910.

The Angora Cat also appears in altogether six (or more) pre-war stories. One of them is Má drahá přitelkyně Julča (My dear friend Julie) that was printed in three issues of Zlatá Praha in April/May 1915. This story is also set during Hašek's time as animal trader at Košíře and contains themes known from the novel (Brehm and Klamovka are mentioned). The story O nejošklivějším psu Balabánovi (Svět zvířat, 1913) also contains a reference to an Angora cat. Another talking cat Markus features in another story, there is also a cat Lili in the story about Professor Axamit. See links below for a full list.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.6] Se mnou také dělali výslech, kdo k nám chodí, jestli nedostáváme nějaké peníze z ciziny, a potom dělali narážky, že jsem hloupá, když jsem jim řekla, že peníze z ciziny chodějí jen zřídka, posledně od toho pana řídícího z Brna ta záloha šedesát korun na angorskou kočku, kterou jste inseroval v Národní politice a místo toho jste mu poslal v bedničce od datlí to slepé štěňátko foxteriéra.

[I.14.3] Neobyčejně rád měl zvířata. Měl harckého kanárka, angorskou kočku a stájového pinče.

[I.14.3] A angorská kočka si opět vlezla pod pohovku.

[I.15] „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, že jste přišel o kočku. Sežrala krém na boty a dovolila si chcípnout. Hodil jsem ji do sklepa, ale do vedlejšího. Takovou hodnou a hezkou angorskou kočku už nenajdete.“

Literature

• O domýšlivém kocouru Bobešovi Jaroslav Hašek, Svět zvířat 1.3.1910
• Vláda je vinná Jaroslav Hašek, Rovnost 10.7.1911
• Pan Mařínek má strach před mobilizací Jaroslav Hašek, Karikatury 9.12.1912
• O nejošklivějším psu Balabánovi Jaroslav Hašek, Svět zvířat 15.4.1913
• Podivuhodné dobrodružství kocoura Markuse Jaroslav Hašek, Humoristické listy 6.2.1914
• Má drahá přitelkyně Julča Jaroslav Hašek, Zlatá Praha

	Leonberg
Wikipedia czdeenno MapSearch

Národní politika,  28.8.1910.

Leonberg is mentioned indirectly through the dog breed Leonberger when Švejk tells detective Bretschneider that he once sold a Leonberger to an anarchist. for 100 crowns.

Background

Leonberg is a town in Swabia that gave its name to the mentioned do breed. This is a very large and fury dog breed, that appeared through breeding in 19th century. It can weigh up to 80 kilos.

Leonberger-dogs are written about in Svět zvířat at the time when Jaroslav Hašek was editor of this weekly. The author had good knowledge of dog-breeding, something that is reflected in the many references to dogs throughout the novel and otherwise in his literary output.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.6] Když měli každý pátou čtvrtku, prohlásil se Bretschneider za anarchistu a ptal se Švejka, do které organisace se má dát zapsat. Švejk řekl, že si jednou jeden anarchista koupil od něho leonbergera za sto korun a že mu zůstal poslední splátku dlužen.

Literature

• Norsk leonberger klubb Leonberger.no
• Klub chovatelů psů leonbergerů ČR Leonberger.cz

	Scotland
Wikipedia czdeenno MapSearch

Border Collie

Scotland is mentioned indirectly through the dog breed Scottish sheepdog when the author describes Švejk's dog deals with detective Kalous.

Background

Scotland is a nation occupying the nortern part of the island Great Britain that since 1707 has been in a union with England. As part of the United Kingdom, Scottish forces contributed during World War I.

The Scottish sheepdog (border collie) was mentioned in the late 19th century. It is regarded the worlds most popular shepherd's dog.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.6] Pak tam šel koupit psa detektiv Kalous a vrátil se s vyjevenou potvorou, připomínající hyenu skvrnitou, s hřívou skotského ovčáka, a v položkách tajného fondu přibyla nová: D...90 K.

Also written:Skotsko cz Schottland de

Literature

• Border Collie Club Czech Republic BCCCZ

	Raba
Wikipedia ennnpl MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Raba by Dobczyce.

Finljandskaja Gazeta,  30.11.1914.

Map appendix to "Kaiserbericht", 26 November 1914.

© ÖStA

Raba is mentioned by the author at the beginning [I.7]. Austrian troops fled across the river and Austria was in a very bad way. The author calls it Ráb, which can easily be confused with the better known river Raab which flows through Austria and Hungary.

In [I.14] the river is mentioned again in a similar description. See Dunajec.

Background

Raba is a river in Galicia which empties into Vistula east of Kraków, in the south of current Poland. In 1914 the entire river flowed on Austrian territory.

The event referred to in the novel is by near certainty the situation on the Galician battlefield in late November 1914. On the 26 November, during the advance on Kraków, the Russian 3rd Army led by Radko Dimitriev crossed the river, some units having reached and crossed it the evening before by Mikluszowice. According to Russian reports the Austro-Hungarian army retreated in disorder and suffered from low morale. They took up new defensive positions west of the river, on the line Dobczyce - Niepołomice, and by the end of the month they had retreated to Wieliczka, only 13 kilometres south-east of Kraków.

This situation persisted until 8 December when the Russians were pushed eastwards towards Dunajec during the battle of Limanowa. It was during the advance on Kraków that Czech volunteers in the Russian army, Česká družina, first were in action against k.u.k. Heer. Wieliczka was also the westernmost point the imperial Russian army ever reached.

Mentioned in a short story

The river was mentioned by the author already in 1908 in the story Ve vesnici u řeky Rábu (In a village by the river Raba), printed in Besedy lidu. This strongly suggests that Jaroslav Hašek had visited the area by the river, most likely during the summer of 1903 when he stayed in Kraków.

Österreich-Ungarns letzter Krieg, Band I.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.7] V době, kdy lesy na řece Rábu v Haliči viděly utíkat přes Ráb rakouská vojska a dole v Srbsku rakouské divise jedna za druhou dostávaly přes kalhoty to, co jim dávno patřilo, vzpomnělo si rakouské ministerstvo vojenství i na Švejka, aby pomohl mocnářství z bryndy.

[I.14.5] Zatímco masy vojsk připnuté na lesích u Dunajce i Rábu stály pod deštěm granátů a velkokalibrová děla roztrhávala celé setniny a zasypávala je v Karpatech a obzory na všech bojištích hořely od požárů vesnic i měst, prožíval nadporučík Lukáš se Švejk nepříjemnou idylu s dámou, která utekla svému muži a dělala nyní domácí paní.

Also written:Ráb Hašek

Literature

• Österreich-Ungarns letzter Krieg 1914-1918 Österreichischen Bundesministerium für Heereswesen und vom Kriegsarchiv, Wien, 1930 - 1936
• Bitva u Limanově Světová válka 1914-1916 slovem i obrazem
• Za svobodu - 1. díl Medek, Vaněk, Holeček
• Kaiserbericht vom 26.11.1914 Armeeoberkommando
• Ve vesnici u řeky Rábu Jaroslav Hašek, Besedy Lidu 25.9.1908

	Galicia
Wikipedia czdeennnnopluk MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Some places in Galicia mentioned in the novel (orange).

Venkov,  5.7.1908.

Galicia is mentioned first time by the narrator at the start of [I.7]. Here he informs the reader that Austrian forces are fleeing across the river Raba in Galicia. Towards the end of the novel, from [III.4] and throughout the unfinished [IV.1-3] the plot takes in its entirety place in Galicia. Many places in the region are mentioned, or form part of the plot. The most important of these are Kraków, Sanok, Przemyśl, Lwów and Sokal. The plot itself ends in Galicia, near Żółtańce.

Background

Galicia was until 1918 an Austrian "Kronland" north of the Carpathians. As a political unit it was known as Königreich Galizien und Lodomerien from 1846 until 1918. The population at the time was mixed: Poles, Germans, Jews and Ukrainians were the largest groups. Galicia enjoyed a large degree of autonomy and Polish had status as official language within the administration. The "polonisation" of the region enjoyed support even from the emperor. The administrative capital was Lwów which was a Polish enclave in an otherwise Ukrainian dominated region.

In September 1914 Russia occupied most of Galicia, and by the 12th k.u.k. Heer had withdrawn behind the river San. By late November the enemy had advanced much further west and even threatened Kraków. From 2 May 1915 and throughout the summer most of Galicia was reconquered by the Central Powers. It was during these offensives that Jaroslav Hašek took part as a soldier from 11 July to 24 September.

From 1918 the region became part of Poland, and in 1939 and it was partitioned between Germany and the Soviet Union. From 1945 it was again split between Poland and the USSR (from 1991 between Poland and Ukraine).

Hašek in Galicia

Apart from his stay during the war the author knew Galicia well from his wanderings just after the turn of the century. He traveled in the "Kronland" both in 1901 and 1903; more precisely in and around Kraków and Tarnów. He wrote several stories set in the region, two of them with Jewish themes from the town of Zapustna (not identified).

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.7] V době, kdy lesy na řece Rábu v Haliči viděly utíkat přes Ráb rakouská vojska a dole v Srbsku rakouské divise jedna za druhou dostávaly přes kalhoty to, co jim dávno patřilo, vzpomnělo si rakouské ministerstvo vojenství i na Švejka, aby pomohl mocnářství z bryndy.

[II.1] Stačilo to nejmenší, a důstojník se již loučil se svou posádkou a putoval na černohorské hranice nebo do nějakého opilého, zoufalého garnisonu v špinavém koutě Haliče.

[II.2] Přesunutí našich vojsk ve východní Haliči dalo původ k tomu, že některé ruské vojenské části; překročivše Karpaty, zaujaly pozice ve vnitrozemí naší říše, čímž fronta byla přesunuta hlouběji k západu mocnářství.

Also written:Halič cz Galizien de Galicja no Galicja pl Галичина ua

Literature

• Chalute Jaroslav Hašek. Veselá Praha
• The Internment of Russophiles in Austria-Hungary International Encyclopedia of the First World War 17.11.2020
• Židovská povídka ze Zapustny v Haliči Jaroslav Hašek. Venkov 5.7.1908

	Kraków
Wikipedia czdeennnnopl MapSearch

Militärterritorial- und Ergänzungsbezirkseinteilung, 1912

K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei, 1912.

Hašek's story printed in Cleveland.

Dennice novověku,  18.5.1905.

Kraków is mentioned by Švejk in conversation with Mrs. Müllerová when he informs her that he has been called up for service. Here it is revealed that the Russians have almost reached the city, something that corresponds with the military situation around 1 December 1914.

In [I.15] the city is mentioned again in a highly treasonous conversation between Švejk and another soldier: the tsar is already there and by Náchod the thunder from Russian cannons can be heard.

Background

Kraków is a city in southern Poland and the second largest city in the country with more than 700,000 inhabitants. It has a well preserved historic core and is on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

Until 1918 Kraków was part of Cisleithanien and even enjoyed the status as a separate crown land within Galicia.

Kraków never experienced fighting during the war, but in late November 1914 the situation was critical as Russian forces reached positions only 13 kilometres east of the city before they were pushed back to the river Dunajec during the battle of Limanowa.

Hašek in Kraków

Jaroslav Hašek visited the area in the summer of 1901 and again in July 1903[a]. According to his own account he was on the latter occasion arrested after having crossed over to Russian Poland without his documents in proper order. On 10 February 1905 Světozor published the story Mezi tuláky (Amongst tramps), where Hašek described his stay in the city prison. The story even appeared in the Czech-American newspaper Dennice novověku (Cleveland, Ohio) in May that year, and was also published by Besedy lidu.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.7] „Panenko Maria,“ vykřikla paní Müllerová, „co tam budou dělat?“ „Bojovat,“ hrobovým hlasem odpověděl Švejk, „s Rakouskem je to moc špatný. Nahoře nám už lezou na Krakov a dole do Uher.

[I.15] Když oba potom ještě dále tlumočili názor českého člověka na válku, voják z kasáren opakoval, co dnes slyšel v Praze, že u Náchoda je slyšet děla a ruský car že bude co nejdřív v Krakově.

Also written:Krakov cz Krakau de

Literature

• Mezi tuláky Jaroslav Hašek, Světozor 10.2.1905
• Mezi tuláky Jaroslav Hašek, Dennice novověku 18.5.1905
• B. Palkovský: Krakov Královský Světozor 22.4.1910
• Starobylé město Krakov Český svět 2.10.1914

	Hungary
Wikipedia czdeenhunnno MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Magyar Állam közigazgatási térképe (1914)

Ottův slovník naučný,  1907.

Hungary is mentioned by Švejk in the conversation with Mrs. Müllerová when he informs her that he has been called up for military service. The Russians are said to be in Hungary already. Later on, the action in parts of Book II and nearly all of Book III takes place in the kingdom of Hungary. Švejk had his first encounter with Hungary in Királyhida and left its territory in Palota. It is also revealed that he had been in Hungary before the war during manoeuvres by Veszprém.

Note that the common Czech term for Hungary, Maďarsko, is never used in the novel.

Background

Hungary (Magyar Királyság) is in this context the historical kingdom that from 1867 to 1918 was in a royal union with the Austria and which together with them constituted Austria-Hungary. The kingdom roughly included modern Hungary, Slovakia, Burgenland, Transylvania and the parts of present Ukraine that lies west of the Carpathians. Head of state was king I. Ferenc József (i.e. Franz Josef). In addition Croatia was a nominal kingdom under Hungarian rule with considerable autonomy.

The population in 1910 was slightly above 21 million of which less than half were ethnic Hungarians. The capital during this period was Budapest. The kingdom was also known as Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, and after 1867 also as Transleithanien, the land beyond the Leitha. The kingdom shared borders with Austria, Romania and Serbia.

After the 1867 Ausgleich Hungary exploited its new found autonomy to impose a policy of magyarisation on its minorities, causing widespread resentment amongst the other nationalities of the kingdom. The Treaty of Trianon in 1920 stripped Hungary of two thirds of its population and territory, but the kingdom continued to exists formally until 1946, although without a king. Since then Hungary has been a republic.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.7] „Panenko Maria,“ vykřikla paní Müllerová, „co tam budou dělat?“ „Bojovat,“ hrobovým hlasem odpověděl Švejk, „s Rakouskem je to moc špatný. Nahoře nám už lezou na Krakov a dole do Uher.

[I.13] Ten padne v Karpatech s mou nezaplacenou směnkou, ten jde do zajetí, ten se mně utopí v Srbsku, ten umře v Uhrách ve špitále.

[II.3] "To už se dávno vědělo," řekl k němu po cestě jednoroční dobrovolník, "že nás přeloží do Uher.

[II.4] Jest rozhodné povinností úradu vyšetriti tento zlocin a optati se vojenského velitelství, které jisté již se touto aférou zabývá, jakou úlohu v tom bezpríkladném štvaní proti príslušníkum Uherského království hraje nadporucík Lukasch, jehož jméno uvádí se po meste ve spojitosti s událostmi posledních dnu, jak nám bylo sdeleno naším místním dopisovatelem, který sebral již bohatý materiál o celé afére, která v dnešní vážné dobe prímo kricí.

[II.4] Že se věcí bude zabývat peštská sněmovna, je nabíledni, aby nakonec se ukázalo jasné, že čeští vojáci, projíždějící Uherským královstvím na front, nesmí považovat zemi koruny svatého Štěpána, jako by ji měli v pachtu.

[II.4] Divizijní soud ve svém přípise na velitelství našeho pluku," pokračoval plukovník, "přichází k tomu mínění, že se vlastně o nic jiného nejedná než o soustavné štvaní proti vojenským částem přicházejícím z Cislajtánie do Translajtánie.

Also written:Uhry Hašek Magyaria Sadlon Maďarsko/Uhersko/Uhry cz Magyar Királyság hu

Literature

• Na svazích Hegyalye Jaroslav Hašek, Ilustrovaný svět 3.7.1904

	Piedmont
Wikipedia czdeenfritno MapSearch

Places occupied by Austria in May 1859 highlighted red

Piedmont appears in the popular folk song Jenerál Windischgrätz a vojenští páni that Švejk sings in his sick-bed after having been called up by the army for a medical examination.

Background

Piedmont was in 1914 as today a province of Italy. It is located in the north-western part of the country and borders France and Switzerland. The capital is Torino.

The song refers to events during the second Italian war of independence in 1859. On 27 April war erupted between Austria and the kingdom of Sardinia (that Piedmont was part of). At the start of the war, before Sardinia's ally France had come to her aid, Austrian forces crossed into Piedmont. They crossed the border river Ticino on 29 April, and occupied Novara, Montara, Vercelli and a the surrounding land west of the river. The four bridges the song mentions may refer to the river Ticino or the river Sesia to the west (which was as far as the invaders got). By early June the Austrian forces had withdrawn east of Ticino and all of Piedmont was again under allied control.

The war ended in victory for Sardinia and France, and as a result Austria had to cede most of Lombardia. The decisive battle stood at Solferino on 24 June 1859, mentioned in the same song. The ceasefire was effectuated on 12 July (il armistizio de Villafranca).

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.7] Uděšená paní Müllerová pod dojmem strašného válečného zpěvu zapomněla na kávu a třesouc se na celém těle, uděšena naslouchala, jak dobrý voják Švejk dál zpívá na posteli:

S panenkou Marií a ty čtyry mosty, postav si, Pimonte, silnější forposty, hop, hop, hop!

Also written:Pimonte Hašek Piemont cz Piemont de Piedmont fr

Literature

• Beim Uebergang über den Tessin am 29. April 1859. Oesterreichischer Soldatenfreund 30.4.1859

	Solferino
Wikipedia czdeenitno MapSearch Švejkův slovník

Solferino is mentioned in the song Jenerál Windischgrätz a vojenští páni that Švejk patriotically tunes up after having been called up for army service and immediately is struck by a fit of rheumatism.

Background

Solferino is a small town in Italy, slightly south of Lake Garda. During the second war of Italian independence Austria lost the decisive battle here against France and Sardinia on 24 June 1859. Austria was forced to cede Lombardia and this outcome paved the way for the unification of Italy.

The origins of the Red Cross

Henry Dunant took part in the battle and moved by witnessing the sufferings of the soldiers he was later to found the Red Cross. This was the last major battle in history where the monarchs commanded their armies directly. Kaiser Franz Joseph I. withdrew as Austrian commander-in-chief after this battle.

Windischgrätz

Some verses of the song about General Windischgrätz are also quoted in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí and in a context that is very similar[a].

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.7] Byla bitva, byla, tam u Solferina, teklo tam krve moc, krve po kolena, hop, hop, hop!

Krve po kolena a na fůry masa, vždyť se tam sekala vosumnáctá chasa, hop, hop, hop!

Literature

• Generál Windischgrätz a vojenští páni Jaroslav Šerák
• Vom Kriegsschauplatz Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung 29.6.1859

	Austria-Hungary
Wikipedia czdeenhuno Search Švejkův slovník

Austria-Hungary is mentioned first time by the author in this way: "and so, at a time when Vienna wished that all the nations of Austria-Hungary would offer to the empire its most exquisite specimens of loyalty and dedication, Doctor Pávek prescribed bromide against Švejk's patriotic enthusiasm. He also recommended that this brave and good former infantryman think no more about the military".

In [II.4] the monarchy is repeatedly mentioned in the article by deputy Barabás in Pester Lloyd.

Otherwise the state of Austria-Hungary and its institutions is the butt of Jaroslav Hašek's satire throughout the novel. The entire plot takes place on the territory of the Dual Monarchy, from Prague in the west to the river Bug to the east. It also passes important cities like Vienna, Lwów and Budapest. The monarchy's most important traffic route, the Danube, is also included. The novel has hundreds of references to places in the monarchy.

Background

Austria-Hungary was a political unit that existed from 8 June 1967 to 21 October 1918 in the form of a personal union between Austria and Hungary. By area and population (about 52 million) it was one of the largest states in Europe. Austria-Hungary was a multi-ethnic state with 11 official languages ​​and even more ethnic groups. It was a constitutional monarchy with freedom of worship and universal suffrage, although with authoritarian leanings. This was first and foremost the case in Hungary where the ethnic minorities had a far weaker position than in the Austrian part of the empire.

With its mixed population Austria-Hungary was vulnerable to internal strife, which was particularly evident in times of crisis. There were also large differences in economic and social development between the various parts of the monarchy. The present Czech Republic and Austria had mostly reached an advanced stage of industrial development, whereas the Balkans, parts of Hungary and Galicia were relatively backward agrarian societies.

Until Ausgleich in 1867 the Habsburg state was known as the Austrian Empire. Hungary took advantage of defeat by Prussia the previous year to force through a redistribution of power that put them on equal terms with Austria. These privileges granted to the Hungarians provoked great resentment amongst the other peoples of the empire, particularly the Slavs. The Czechs felt particulalrly aggrieved as they contributed nearly 25 per cent of the tax income (although this number includes the Germans of Bohemia and Moravia).

The state was also called the Dual Monarchy or the Danube Monarchy. Kaiser Franz Joseph I. was emperor of Austria and king of Hungary respectively. The river Leitha formed in part the boundary between the two parts of the monarchy, which therefore were unofficially referred to by the Latin terms Cisleithanien and Transleithanien.

The official name in German was Die im Reichsrat vertretenen Königreiche und Länder und die Länder der heiligen ungarischen Stephanskrone.

Quote(s) from the novel

[I.7] A tak v době, kdy Vídeň si přála, aby všichni národové Rakousko-Uherska dávali nejskvělejší příklady věrnosti a oddanosti, předepsal doktor Pávek Švejkovi proti jeho vlasteneckému nadšení brom a doporučoval statečnému a hodnému vojínu Švejkovi, aby nemyslil na vojnu.

[II.4] Vedení války vyžaduje součinnost všech vrstev obyvatelstva rakouskouherského mocnářství.

[II.4] ... o čemž svědčí celá řada vynikajících českých vojevůdců, z nichž vzpomínáme slavné postavy maršálka Radeckého a jiných obranců rakousko-uherského mocnářství.

Also written:Rakousko-Uhersko cz Österreich-Ungarn de Ausztria-Magyarország hu Austerrike-Ungarn nn

Literature

• The First World War and the end of the Dual Monarchy Manfried Rauchensteiner 2014
• Austra-Hungary The International Encyclopedia of the First World War
• 1914 - 2014, 100 Jahre erster Weltkrieg Österreichisches Staatsarchiv
• Die österreicisch-ungarische Monarchie im Wort und Bild Kaiserlich-königlichen Hof- und Staatsdruckerei
• Det Österrig-ungarske monarki Kringsjaa 1896
• Österreich-Ungarn Christian Kolb
• Österreich-Ungarn Die Deutschen Schutzgebiete
• Franzisco-Josephinische Aufnahme (1869-1887) Mapire.eu
• Erster Weltkrieg und das Ende der Habsburgermonarchie Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H.