Statue of Tomas Masaryk in Washington DC

The bronze statue in Washington depicts the founder of Czechoslovakia holding a hat and the nation's Declaration of Independence. It stands in a triangular park where three streets converge, making it a visible landmark in the city.

A Czech sculptor created the bronze work in 1937, but it did not reach Washington until 2002 after the nations separated. The piece was sheltered for decades before its installation alongside a speech inscribed from a former US president.

The monument honors the first president of Czechoslovakia, whose leadership shaped the nation's independence and identity. Visitors encounter a symbol that holds deep meaning for Czech and Slovak communities in the United States.

The sculpture sits in a small accessible park where you can view it freely from the street at any time. The location is easy to reach on foot and offers a brief stop on your way through the neighborhood.

The inscription on the statue includes words from a speech delivered by a US president in Prague in 1990, linking European independence to American support. Few visitors notice this detail etched into the base, which tells a story beyond the sculpture itself.