Švejk's journey on a map of Austria-Hungary from 1914, showing the military districts of k.u.k. Heer. The
entire plot of The Good Soldier Švejk is set on the territory of the former Dual Monarchy.
The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Švejk (mostly known as The Good Soldier Švejk) by Jaroslav Hašek is a novel that contains a wealth
of geographical references - either directly through the plot, in dialogues or through the author's narrative. Hašek was
unusually well-travelled and had a photographic memory of geographical (and other) details. He emphasised geography greatly: Eight of the 27 chapter headlines in the novel contain geographical
names.
This website will, in due course, contain a complete overview of all the geographical references in the novel from
Prague in the introduction to Klimontów in the unfinished Part Four. Continents, states (also defunct), cities, market
squares, city gates, regions, districts, towns, villages, mountains, mountain passes, oceans, lakes, rivers, caves,
channels, islands, streets, parks and bridges are included.
The list is sorted according to the order in which the names appear in the novel. The chapter headlines are from
Zenny Sadlon's recent translation (1999-2024). In most cases, those will differ from Cecil Parrott's translation from 1973.
The quotes in Czech are copied from the online version of The Good Soldier Švejk provided by Jaroslav Šerák
and contain links to the relevant chapter. The toolbar has links for direct access to Wikipedia,
Google maps, Google search, svejkmuseum.cz and the novel
on-line.
The names are coloured according to their role in the novel, illustrated by these examples:
Sanok a location where the plot takes place,
Dubno mentioned in the narrative,
Zagreb part of a dialogue, and
Pakoměřice mentioned in an anecdote.
Custozza
is mentioned in the field mass held by Feldoberkurat Ibl in Királyhida. The battle he recounts stood there in 1848, and the Austrian army was commanded by Marschall Radetzky who was in his 84th year.
Background
Custozza
(also Custoza) is a village where in 1848 a battle between Austria and Sardinia-Piedmont took place, securing Austrian control of Lombardy until the battle of Solferino in 1859. The Austrian forces were commanded by Marschall Radetzky. Custoza is situated 17 kilometres west of Verona and approximately the same distance from the southern tip of Lake Garda.
In 1866 a second battle was fought here. Again it ended with Austrian victory but this time it had no lasting consequences as Italy and their ally Prussia emerged victorious from the short war.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Milí vojáci,“ řečnil vrchní polní kurát Ibl, „tak tedy si myslete, že je rok osmačtyřicátý a že vítězstvím skončila bitva u Custozzy, kde po desetihodinovém úporném boji musil italský král Albert přenechati krvavé bojiště našemu otci vojínů, maršálkovi Radeckému, jenž v 84. roce svého života dobyl tak skvělého vítězství.
Aspern is also on Kadett Biegler's sketches of battlefields that are revealed later in this chapter, now called Ašpry.
Background
Aspern
is now a suburb of Vienna. In 1809 it was the scene of a battle here between Napoléon and an Austrian army led by Karl.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Tento se napil, učiniv mocný doušek. ,Zaplať bůh tisíckrát,’ zvolal, namáhaje se políbiti ruku svému veliteli. ,Jak dlouho sloužíš?’ otázal se tento. ,Přes čtyřicet let, pane maršálku! U Ošper dobyl jsem zlaté medalie. Také u Lipska jsem byl, dělový kříž mám rovněž, pětkrát jsem byl smrtelně raněn, ale teď je se mnou dočista konec.
Votice
is a town in okresBenešov, on the railway line to Tábor.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Kdyby bylo už jednou toho trápení konec,“ bědoval Baloun. „už jednou jsem měl na mále na manévrech u Votic. Tam jsme šli vo hladu a žízni, a když k nám přijel batalionsadjutant, tak jsem vykřik: ,Dejte nám vodu a chleba!’
Osijek
is mentioned by telephone operator Chodounský when he relates from the trip to the front in Serbia. It is later talked about by Švejk in an encounter with Leutnant Dub (III,3), then in the colloquial form Vosek.
Background
Osijek
is a city by the river Drava in eastern Croatia, in the region of Slavonia. The city was heavily damaged during the Yugoslav wars of the 1990's. Osijek was part of Hungary until 1920.
IR. 91 in Osijek
There seems to be a great deal of authenticity in telephone operator Chodounský's story. In the early days of August 1914 Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 travelled through Osijek on the way to the front in Serbia. The regiment continued to Gunja by the river Sava where they arrived on 4 August after a three day train journey from Budějovice.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] V Oseku v Charvatsku nám přinesli do vagonu dva páni od veteránů velký kotel pečeného zajíce, a to už jsme nevydrželi a vylili jsme jim to všechno na hlavu.
Also written:OsekChodounskýEsseggdeEszékhuVosekŠvejk
Croatia
was during the Dual Monarchy under Hungarian administration, officially the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia. The area corresponded more or less to the current Croatia apart from Dalmatia and the Istria peninsula. The capital was Zagreb.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] V Oseku v Chorvatsku nám přinesli do vagonu dva páni od veteránů velký kotel pečeného zajíce, a to už jsme nevydrželi a vylili jsme jim to všechno na hlavu.
Kaposfalva
is mentioned by telephone operator Chodounský when he relates from the regiment's trip to the front in Serbia at the start of the war.
Background
Kaposfalva
may refer to a town in southern Hungary, near the border with Croatia, not yet identified. It may well be meant Kaposvár, which is on the railway line south to Serbia. Kaposfalva was the Hungarian names for a couple of places in Slovakia but this doesn't fit with the story. A more plausible theory is that it was some place in Vojvodina in modern Serbia (Vojvodina was Hungarian at the time).
Hašek and Kápolafalva
This similarly sounding name Kápolafalva was used by Hašek in a story he wrote in 1914, set in southwestern Hungary[a]. Also this one seems to be a fictional place.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Z těch jsme nic jiného nejedli než mozeček. V Kapošfalvě házeli nám Maďaři do vagonů celé kusy pečených prasat a jeden kamarád dostal celou pečenou vepřovou hlavou tak do lebky, že potom toho dárce honil s überschwunkem přes tři koleje. Zato už v Bosně jsme ani vodu nedostali.
Klárov
is part of Malá Strana in Prague, the area by Vltava above Manesův most. The area is named after the linguist Alois Klar.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Toto psaní bylo vynuceno okolnostmi, když kuchař okultista nadobro si rozlil ocet s plukovníkem Schröderem, který mu dosud držel palec, ale na kterého se při večeři na rozloučenou s důstojníky maršbatalionu opět, nešťastnou náhodou, nedostala porce rolované telecí ledviny, a plukovník Schröder ho poslal s marškumpačkou do pole, svěřiv důstojnickou kuchyni pluku nějakému nešťastnému učiteli z ústavu slepců na Klárově.
India
is mentioned by Švejk when he relates about an Indian emperor who becomes a pig my the migration of his soul.
Background
India
was in 1914 a British crown colony who contributed sizeable forces (one million) to the British army in World War I. Apart from the current Republic of India it included modern Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Tak jsem si vzal sváteční šaty a šel jsem jednou do musejní knihovny a vypůjčil jsem si takovou jednu knížku o tom stěhování duší se svým kamarádem, a tam jsem se dočetl, že jeden indickej císař se proměnil po smrti v prase, a když to prase zapíchli, že se proměnil v opici, z opice stal se jezevcem a z jezevce ministrem.
Moson
was the first stop after Švejk's march battalion departed from Királyhida. It was only a brief stay, the only description is of a singing soldier from Kašperské Hory who is told to shut up as follows: "Halt Maul du Elender". Otherwise, the author reveals that it was already late at night and that the soldiers were not allowed to leave the train.
Background
Moson
was a town in Hungary near the Austrian border which in 1939 was joined with Magyaróvár to become Mosonmagyaróvár. The river Lajta (Leitha) flows through it.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Vlak zastavil se na stanici Mošon. Byl již večer a nikoho nepouštěli z vagonů. Když se hnuli, ozval se z jednoho vagonu silný hlas, jako by chtěl přehlušit rachocení vlaku. Nějaký voják z Kašperských Hor v nábožné náladě večera opěval hrozným řevem tichou noc, která se blížila k uherským rovinám:
Gute Nacht! Gute Nacht!
Allen Müden sei’s gebracht.
Neigt der Tag stille zur Ende,
ruhen alle fleiß’gen Hände,
bis der Morgen ist erwacht.
Gute Nacht! Gute Nacht!
„Halt Maul, du Elender,“ přerušil někdo sentimentálního zpěváka, který umlkl. Stáhli ho od okna.
Sardinia
is mentioned by Kadett Biegler when he shows off his historical knowledge during the episode with Die Sünden der Väter.
Background
Sardinia
does not refer to the island, but to the kingdom of the same name that existed from 1720 until the unification of Italy in 1861. The kingdom consisted of Sardinia proper, Piedmont and the current French province of Savoie (Savoy), with Turin as capital. The kingdom was at war with Austria in 1848 and 1859; the famous battles at Custozza and Solferino were fought in these wars. The royal house of Sardinia continued as rulers of Italy even after unification.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Znám systémy šifer, které byly používány ve válkách o Sardinii a Savojsko, v anglo-francouzské kumpanii u Sevastopolu, při povstání boxerů v Číně i za poslední rusko-japonské války. Systémy tyto byly předávány...“
Also written:SardinieczSardiniendeSardaignefrSardegnait
Sevastopol
is mentioned by Kadett Biegler when he shows off his historical knowledge during the episode with Die Sünden der Väter by Ludwig Ganghofer. He is referring to the Crimean War (1853-56).
Background
Sevastopol
is an important naval port on the Crimea peninsula, in the current Ukraine. During the Crimean War it was subjected to a 12 month long siege by British, French, Sardinian and Turkish forces in 1854-55. The siege ended with an allied victory.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Znám systémy šifer, které byly používány ve válkách o Sardinii a Savojsko, v anglo-francouzské kumpanii u Sevastopolu, při povstání boxerů v Číně i za poslední rusko-japonské války. Systémy tyto byly předávány...“
China
is mentioned by Kadett Biegler when he shows off his historical knowledge during the episode with Die Sünden der Väter. He is referring to the Boxer rebellion in 1900.
Background
China
was from 1912 a republic but politically fragmented. It did not take part in World War I. Kadett Biegler refers to the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1902), a nationalist rebellion against growing foreign influence. Eight imperialist powers intervened and crushed the rebellion, and here it is probably alluded to the Austro-Hungarian participation.
The current People's Republic of China has in 2010 the largest population on earth, the 4th largest area and is a major economic, military and political power with a permanent seat in the UN security council.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Znám systémy šifer, které byly používány ve válkách o Sardinii a Savojsko, v anglo-francouzské kumpanii u Sevastopolu, při povstání boxerů v Číně i za poslední rusko-japonské války. Systémy tyto byly předávány...“
Saxony
is mentioned by Kadett Biegler when he shows off his historical knowledge during the episode with Die Sünden der Väter.
Background
Saxony
is a historic kingdom in Germany with an area slightly smaller than the current Freistaat Sachsen. It was created by Napoleón in 1806 and existed until 1918, from 1871 as part of Germany.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Jest tam důkladně popsána, pane hejtmane, methoda, o které jste nám vypravoval. Vynálezcem jejím je plukovník Kircher, sloužící za Napoleona I. ve vojsku saském. Kircherovo šifrování slovy, pane hejtmane.
Wiener Neustadt
is mentioned by Kadett Biegler when he shows off his historical knowledge after Hauptmann Ságner had embarrassed himself with using Die Sünden der Väter for his cryptographic keys.
Background
Wiener Neustadt
is a city 50 km south of Vienna with around 40.000 inhabitants, and is the second largest city of Niederösterreich (Lower Austria). It is also the seat of Theresianische Militärakademie like Kadett Biegler says. The river Leitha flows through the eastern outskirts of the city.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Každé slovo depeše se vykládá na protější stránce klíče. Methoda ta zdokonalena nadporučíkem Fleissnerem v knize ,Handbuch der militärischen Kryptographie’, kterou si každý může koupit v nakladatelství vojenské akademie ve Víd. Novém Městě. Prosím, pane hejtmane.“
Győr
is the scene of several incidents when the train makes a stop there. The first important event is the conversation between Oberleutnant Lukáš and Švejk where it is revealed how the two volumes of the Ludwig Ganghofer novel got mixed up. Švejk is told that he has done something so utterly awful that he won't even be allowed to know about it.
Then Hauptmann Ságner has his revenge on the zealous Kadett Biegler when he catches him with some notes which lists the books he plans to write on warfare. He titles himself k.u.k Offizier and this makes him an easy match for Ságner. Crushed and humiliated, Biegler throws the notes in the toilet and gets totally dunk with disastrous consequences on the train to Budapest.
One of the most macabre scenes in the novel is when a train with soldiers from the Deutschmeister Regiment passes and a man falls off it and spikes himself on a point lever. This incident illustrates the cynical traits in Švejk's character.
Background
Győr
is one af the seven regional centres of Hungary and is situated between Vienna and Budapest, near the Danube.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Hejtman Ságner mezitím počal ze zoufalství číst nešťastnou knihu Hříchy otců, a když vlak stanul na nádraží v Rábu, sklapl přečtené stránky a poznamenal: „Tenhle Ludwig Ganghofer nepíše špatně.“ Nadporučík Lukáš první vyřítil se, ze štábního vagonu a šel k vagonu, kde nalézal se Švejk.
Bakony
is part of the story about Róža Šavaňů which Švejk had read.
Background
Bakony
is a forested area in Hungary north of Lake Balaton, almost entirely in Veszprém county.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Já jsem byl, jak povídám,“ zněl na opuštěné koleji měkký hlas Švejkův, „taky téhož mínění. Jednou jsem koupil krvák vo Róžovi Šavaňů z Bakonskýho lesa a scházel tam první díl, tak jsem se musel dohadovat vo tom začátku, a ani v takovej raubířskej historii se neobejdete bez prvního dílu.
Zemun
is mentioned in a song by the Deutschmeister Regiment as they pass the station in Győr.
Background
Zemun
is a part of Belgrade which is separated from the city centre by the river Sava. It was part of Austria-Hungary until 1918. At the time half the population was Serbian. One of the first things that happended after declaration of war in 1914 was the Serbs blew up the bridge between Zemun and Belgrade (see newspaper clip from "Budivoj").
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1]
Als der Brucken war geschlagen,
daß man kunnt’ mit Stuck und Wagen
frei passier’n den Donaufluß,
bei Semlin schlug man das Lager,
alle Serben zu verjagen...
Verona
is mentioned in a song by the Deutschmeister Regiment from Kašperské Hory as they pass the station in Győr.
Background
Verona
is a city in the Veneto province of Northern Italy. It is rich in architecture and culture and is a major tourist attraction. Verona belonged to Austria from the end of the Napoleonic Wars until 1866, when Veneto was lost to Italy after a six-week war. The song refers to the battle by the city during the first Italian war of independece in 1848. See Santa Lucia.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1]
In, Verona langes Hoffen,
als mehr Truppen eingetroffen,
fühlt und rührt der Held sich frei...
Anloy
is part of the Belgian community of Libin in the French-speaking part of Belgium. It is situated in the Ardennes.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Mým vzorem je německý profesor Udo Kraft. Narodil se roku 1870, nyní ve světové válce přihlásil se dobrovolně a padl 22. srpna 1914 v Anloy. Před svou smrtí vydal knihu ,Sebevýchova pro smrt za císaře’.
Nördlingen
is one of the battle sites in Kadett Biegler's little notebook.
Background
Nördlingen
is a town in Germany, situated in Bavaria close to Baden-Württemberg. Nördlingen is one of three German cities which still has the city walls intact. The battle in question was fought during the Thirty Year War, on 6 September 1934. It was a crushing defeat for Sweden and its protestant allies against the imperial catholic forces.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Od bitvy u Nördlingen 6. září 1634 přes bitvu u Zenty 11. září 1697, u Caldiera 31. října 1805, přes bitvu u Ašprů 22. května 1809 a bitvu národů u Lipska v 1813, přes St. Lucii v květnu 1848 a bitvu u Trutnova 27. června 1866 až po dobytí Sarajeva 19. srpna 1878. V schematech a nákresích plánů těch bitev nic se neměnilo. Všude nakreslil kadet Biegler obdélníčky na jedné straně prázdné, kdežto nepřítele znázorňovaly vyčárkované.
Senta
is one of the battle sites in Kadett Biegler's little notebook.
Background
Senta
is a town in the Vojvodina region of Serbia, from 1699 to 1918 it belonged to Austria and later Austria-Hungary. Eighty per cent of the population are ethnic Hungarians. A major a battle was fought here in 1697 between the Ottoman Empire and Austria. It was one of the worst defeats in Turkish history and confirmed the Austrian hegemony in Central Europe. Eugene of Savoy led the Habsburg forces.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Od bitvy u Nördlingen 6. září 1634 přes bitvu u Zenty 11. září 1697, u Caldiera 31. října 1805, přes bitvu u Ašprů 22. května 1809 a bitvu národů u Lipska v 1813, přes St. Lucii v květnu 1848 a bitvu u Trutnova 27. června 1866 až po dobytí Sarajeva 19. srpna 1878. V schematech a nákresích plánů těch bitev nic se neměnilo. Všude nakreslil kadet Biegler obdélníčky na jedné straně prázdné, kdežto nepřítele znázorňovaly vyčárkované.
Caldiero
is one of the battle sites in Kadett Biegler's little notebook.
Background
Caldiero
is a town near Verona where a battle was fought between French and Austrian forces on 30 and 31 October 1805. The French won the battle but with heavy losses.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Od bitvy u Nördlingen 6. září 1634 přes bitvu u Zenty 11. září 1697, u Caldiera 31. října 1805, přes bitvu u Ašprů 22. května 1809 a bitvu národů u Lipska v 1813, přes St. Lucii v květnu 1848 a bitvu u Trutnova 27. června 1866 až po dobytí Sarajeva 19. srpna 1878. V schematech a nákresích plánů těch bitev nic se neměnilo. Všude nakreslil kadet Biegler obdélníčky na jedné straně prázdné, kdežto nepřítele znázorňovaly vyčárkované.
Santa Lucia
is one of the battle sites in Kadett Biegler's little notebook.
Background
Santa Lucia
is a district of Verona where a battle was fought between Sardinian and Austrian forces on 6 May 1848. Like Custozza this was a battle in the First War of Italian independence. The Austrians were commanded by Marschall Radetzky. Santa Lucia was in 1848 still a village outside the city walls.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Od bitvy u Nördlingen 6. září 1634 přes bitvu u Zenty 11. září 1697, u Caldiera 31. října 1805, přes bitvu u Ašprů 22. května 1809 a bitvu národů u Lipska v 1813, přes St. Lucii v květnu 1848 a bitvu u Trutnova 27. června 1866 až po dobytí Sarajeva 19. srpna 1878. V schematech a nákresích plánů těch bitev nic se neměnilo. Všude nakreslil kadet Biegler obdélníčky na jedné straně prázdné, kdežto nepřítele znázorňovaly vyčárkované.
Trutnov
is one of the battle sites in Kadett Biegler's little notebook.
Background
Trutnov
is a city in the eastern part of Czechia below the Krkonoše montains. Trutnov was the scene of a battle between Prussia and Austria on 27 and 28 June 1866. This was the only battle where Austria prevailed during the short war.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Od bitvy u Nördlingen 6. září 1634 přes bitvu u Zenty 11. září 1697, u Caldiera 31. října 1805, přes bitvu u Ašprů 22. května 1809 a bitvu národů u Lipska v 1813, přes St. Lucii v květnu 1848 a bitvu u Trutnova 27. června 1866 až po dobytí Sarajeva 19. srpna 1878. V schematech a nákresích plánů těch bitev nic se neměnilo. Všude nakreslil kadet Biegler obdélníčky na jedné straně prázdné, kdežto nepřítele znázorňovaly vyčárkované.
Komárom
is mentioned because a newspaper here claims that Oberleutnant Lukáš is said to have tried to rape Etelka Kakonyi by the dinner table. The town is mentioned again in [II.5]. According to staff plans, the train with the 91.regiment should pass it, but the plot has no further mention of Komárno. The station is located in the Hungarian part.
Background
Komárom
was until 1920 a Hungarian town on both sides of the Danube, between Pressburg and Budapest, now split between Hungary and Slovakia.
Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Rozumíte mně, pane nadporučíku. Je v tom jistá tendence. Spíš by snad vás zajímal článek v ,Komárenském večerníku’, kde se o vás tvrdí, že jste se pokoušel znásilnit paní Kakonyiovou přímo v jídelně při obědě u přítomnosti jejího manžela, kterého jste ohrožoval šavlí a nutil ho, aby zacpal ručníkem ústa své manželky, aby nekřičela. To je poslední zpráva o vás, pane nadporučíku.“
Heligoland
is mentioned in connection with the war in 1864 between Denmark and the Prusso-Austrian alliance. On his way to BudapestKadett Biegler dreams about a naval map of the islands from that war.
Background
Heligoland
is a flat, windly group of islands in the North Sea. Heligoland passed from British to German rule in 1890. During World War I all the inhabitants were evacuated to the mainland.
The battle of Heligoland took place on 9 May 1864, and was a tactical Danish victory in the second war of Schleswig. The opponent was a fleet of mostly Austrian ships, amongst them the frigates "Schwarzenberg" and "Radetzky". The outcome had little political significance as the war was over five weeks later.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Generál Biegler rozsvěcuje elektrickou lampičku. Vidí, že má štábní mapu na kolenou. Ale je to námořní mapa helgolandského pobřeží z roku 1864, ve válce rakousko-pruské proti Dánsku za Šlesvik.
Dybbøl is overrun and Danmark has lost the war of 1864
Denmark
is mentioned in connection with Kadett Biegler's dream which touches on the war between Denmark and the alliance of Prussia and Austria in 1864.
Background
Denmark
is a country in Northern Europe, spread over many islands and peninsulas between the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Denmark of today is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary political system, a member of the European Union and NATO.
Until 1864 it included Schleswig-Holstein, but these ethnically mixed counties were ceded to Prussia and Austria after a short war the same year. This was the last war Austria won. Denmark was given back Northern Schleswig after World War I, a conflict in which the country was neutral.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Generál Biegler rozsvěcuje elektrickou lampičku. Vidí, že má štábní mapu na kolenou. Ale je to námořní mapa helgolandského pobřeží z roku 1864, ve válce rakousko-pruské proti Dánsku za Šlesvik.
Schleswig
is mentioned in connection with the war between Denmark and Prussia/Austria in 1864, which Kadett Biegler dreams about on the train.
Background
Schleswig
is a historical duchy, dissolved in 1864, since 1920 divided between Germany and Denmark. Denmark ruled both Schleswig and Holstein until 1864, the lost it to Austria and Prussia in the war that year.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Generál Biegler rozsvěcuje elektrickou lampičku. Vidí, že má štábní mapu na kolenou. Ale je to námořní mapa helgolandského pobřeží z roku 1864, ve válce rakousko-pruské proti Dánsku za Šlesvik.
Also written:ŠlesvikHašekŠlesvickoczSchleswigdeSlesvigdk
Liebertwolkwitz
enters the dream of Kadett Biegler when he deals with the Battle of the Nations by Leipzig from 16 to 19 October 1813.
Background
Liebertwolkwitz
was a village in Saxony, now a suburb of Leipzig. Two days before the real Battle of the Nations started, a mounted battle took place in the area around Wachau and Liebertwolkwitz.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Znáte dějiny bitvy národů u Lipska?“ otázal se, „když polní maršálek kníže Schwarzenberg šel na Liebertkovice 14. října roku 1813 a když 16. října byl zápas o Lindenau, boje generála Merweldta, a když rakouská vojska byla ve Wachavě a když 19. října padlo Lipsko?“
Wachau
enters the dream of Kadett Biegler when he deals with the Battle of the Nations by Leipzig in 1813.
Background
Wachau
is a village in Saxony, now part of Markleeberg by Leipzig. Two days before the real Battle of the Nations started, a mounted battle took place in the area around Wachau and Liebertwolkwitz.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Znáte dějiny bitvy národů u Lipska?“ otázal se, „když polní maršálek kníže Schwarzenberg šel na Liebertkovice 14. října roku 1813 a když 16. října byl zápas o Lindenau, boje generála Merweldta, a když rakouská vojska byla ve Wachavě a když 19. října padlo Lipsko?“
Ansicht von Lindenau nach der Völkerschlacht, 1815
Lindenau
enters the dream of Kadett Biegler when he deals with the Battle of the Nations by Leipzig in 1813.
Background
Lindenau
is a suburb in the western part of Leipzig, in 1813 a village. There was fighting here during the Battle of the Nations and Napoléon rested here during his withdrawal on 19 October 1813.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Znáte dějiny bitvy národů u Lipska?“ otázal se, „když polní maršálek kníže Schwarzenberg šel na Liebertkovice 14. října roku 1813 a když 16. října byl zápas o Lindenau, boje generála Merweldta, a když rakouská vojska byla ve Wachavě a když 19. října padlo Lipsko?“
Betlehem
is mentioned in Kadett Biegler's dream, through the expression "you swine of Betlehem".
Background
Betlehem
er ein by i Palestina, kjend som fødestaden til Jesus. Den ligg 10km sør for Jerusalem, på den okkuperte Vestbreidda.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Jeli kolem skupiny, kde rezavý kaprál-anděl měl právě jednoho nemotorného rekruta-anděla v parádě, mlátil mu pěstí do břicha a řval na něho: „Rozevři lepší svou držku, svině betlémská. Takhle se volá ,Alelujá’?
Lebanon
is mentioned in Kadett Biegler's dream, through the expression "you cedar of Lebanon".
Background
Lebanon
is a small country in the Middle East, bordering Syria and Israel. In 1914 it was part of Turkey. In 1920 the country became a French mandate, gaining full independence in 1943.
Libanese cedar (cedrus libani) that grovs in the mountain regikons of the inner Mediterranean Sea and is included as a symbol in the Lebanese flag.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] To bych rád věděl, který vůl tě sem, ty dobytku, pustil do ráje. Zkus to ještě jednou... Hlahlehluhja? Cože, bestie, ještě nám tady v ráji huhňáš... Zkus to ještě jednou, cedre libanonský.“
Jordan
is mentioned in Kadett Biegler's dream on the train to Budapest, through the expression "you Jordanian cow".
Background
Jordan
is a river, a valley and a state in the Middle East, but as the state of Jordan didn't exist at the time, we must assume that the river Jordan is referred to here. The river plays a prominent role in the Bible and it was here Jesus was baptised according to Cristian faith.
The expression "Jordanian cow" seems to be commonly used in Czech but its origin is unclear.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Ujížděli dál a za nimi ještě dlouho bylo slyšet úzkostlivé řvaní huhňavého anděla-rekruta „Hla-hle-hlu-hjá“a křik anděla-kaprála „A-le-lu-já, a-le-lu-já, ty krávo jordánská!“
Danube
features in the same story by Sappeur Vodička as Běloun is part of. Bloated bodies are floating into the Danube from the Drina, whether they be Austrians or Serbs.
The Danube is mentioned again in the plot of Part Three when the Švejk's train approaches Budapest and searchlights can be seen above the river.
Švejk crossed the Danube at least twice, west of Vienna and in Budapest itself.
When it comes to geography the ill-tempered Sappeur Vodička is out of his debth with his claim that Drina empties into the Danube. It actually flows into the Sava but only downstream, by Belgrade, does the latter reach the Danube.
Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] „Ale kdo by na takový věci myslel,“ odpověděl Vodička, „my jsme svý udělali a vo věci ostatní jsme neměli žádnou starost. Tam to bylo úplně lehký. Každej den někdo zmizel, a ani už to z Driny nelovili. Plaval tam nadmutej čúžák vedle našeho rozflákanýho landveráka hezky po Drině do Dunaje. Někteří nezkušení, když to viděli ponejprv, tak dostali malinkou horečku.
[III.1] Nad Budapeští bylo již vidět záři světel a nad Dunajem přeskakoval reflektor.
Linz
is one of the many places mentioned in Kadett Biegler's dream, he is defending Linz in the War of Austrian Succession. Interestingly Napoléon's forces figure in the dream - despite the fact that they operated in the area more than 60 years after the abovementioned war! Still, in dreams such messy sequenes may well appear.
Background
Linz
is the third largest city of Austria, is situated on the Danube and is today the capital of Upper Austria.
The event the novel refers to is the French-Bavarian occupation of the city in 1741/42 which took place during the War of Austrian Succession.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] A kadet Biegler vrtěl sebou čím dál nepokojněji, a jeho nový sen byl velice fantastický. Obhajoval Linec ve válce o dědictví rakouské. Viděl reduty, retranchementy a palisády kolem města. Jeho hlavní stan byl proměněn v ohromnou nemocnici. Všude kolem váleli se nemocní a drželi se za břicho. Pod palisádami města Lince projížděli se francouzští dragouni Napoleona I.
Újbuda
was the part of the city where Kadett Biegler was carted off to the military isolation hospital suffering from "cholera" after his mishaps on the train to Budapest.
Background
Újbuda
is an urban district in Budapest, south of the Gellert hill on the western bank of the Danube. It is currently the most densely populated district of the city.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Tak se stalo, že statečný kadet Biegler byl odvezen do vojenské isolační nemocnice v Új Buda. Jeho podělané kalhoty ztratily se ve víru světové války.
Nachrichten über Verwundete und Verletzte,29.6.1915
Tarnov
and it's cholera barracks means the end of the war for Kadett Biegler, for the time being at least. He remains there until he gets rid of his "cholera germs" and returns to action in Part Four.
Background
Tarnov
at first sight appears to refer to Tarnów, a city in Galicia that until 1918 was part of Austria. Tarnów is situated on the railway line between Sanok and Kraków, on the eastern bank of Dunajec.
Tárnok by Budapest
Švejkologists like Milan Hodík, Břetislav Hůla and myself have so far assumed that the Polish city was where Kadett Biegler was placed in cholera-barracks. However, it would be nonsensical to transport a patient with a dangerous and contagious disease such a distance to isolate him.
The Hungarian švejkologist Tamás Herczeg has a more credible explanation. The author of The Good Soldier Švejk has rather had Tárnok in mind. This a village outside Budapest that actually had a hospital that treated epidemic diseases. It has not been possible to verify (based on Nachricthen über Verwundete und Kranke) that soldiers actually were hospitalized here, but this of course doesn't rule out that they weren't.
Tárnok utca
A weaker candidate is a military hospital in Tárnok utca 5 in Budapest[a]. Nachricthen über Verwundete und Verletzte shows that soldiers were treated here but this hospital didn't have isolation barracks (Herczeg). Regarding cholera: the abovementioned publication frequently refers to cholera barracks in Miskolc but rarely elsewhere.
Tamás Herczeg
[by e-mail] I try to identify places and items of Svejk adventure, and I found a Hungarian name "Tarnov" for a village near Budapest, where Cadet Kadett Biegler got for observation. "Tarnov" is written in the original czech version, as well, but I think Hasek had a little mistake here, as he missed a letter in the name: we do not have Tarnov in Hungary at all, but we have Tárnok! Even one of my friends, Mr. István Kludák, found evidence that Tárnok - as almost all settlements of Hungary in that time - had an epidemic hospital. Enclosed you will find a report in the Székesfehérvári Hírlap newspaper on the inspection of the epidemic hospital of Tárnok on 9 August, 1911. They found exemplary conditions in it. (So Cadet Biegler got to exemplary conditions at Tárnok.)
I found a complete compilation on several war hospitals ("hadikórházak" in Hungarian) in Budapest, the Edelsheim Gyulay war hospital in Tárnok street is also mentioned among them. You are perfectly right: these war hospitals existed only during the war. They were operated and maintained mostly by wealthy people in their own houses and relief associations like e.g. Red Cross, and different firms. It is important to note that these war hospitals did not deal with infectious patients, which were served by special, epidemiological hospitals. Thus, it is very unlikely that Cadet Kadett Biegler was in the Edelsheim Gyulay hospital in Tárnok street 5. of Buda Castle, rather he was admitted to the epidemiological hospital at Tárnok village.
Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Pište,“ řekl štábní lékař: „Kadet Biegler, 13. pochodový prapor, 11. pochodová setnina, 91. pluk, na pozorování do cholerových baráků v Tarnově. Nositel cholerových bacilů...“ A tak se stal z kadeta Bieglera, nadšeného bojovníka, nositel cholerových bacilů.
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