Masaryk Tower of Independence, Observation tower in Hořice, Czech Republic.

The Masaryk Tower of Independence is a sandstone lookout tower and museum on Chlum hill above Hořice, built from stone quarried at U Svatého Josefa. Its four-column portico leads to two halls, and a dome of the astronomical observatory crowns the structure. Construction stopped at 25 metres of the planned 40.

The foundation stone was laid on 10 July 1926 in the presence of President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, after work had begun on 2 March 1925. Architect František Blažek designed a tower of about 40 metres, but only 25 metres were built by 1938, when the Nazi occupation halted construction. German shelling damaged the tower, and reliefs were covered under both the Nazi and later Communist regimes.

The tower is named after Czechoslovakia's first president and serves as a monument to independence movements. Visitors encounter reliefs and sculptures throughout the structure that commemorate acts of courage and resistance.

Wear sturdy footwear as the paths up the hillside can be steep and uneven in places. Plan your visit during dry weather when visibility from the top is best and the grounds are easier to navigate.

The sculptures were created by multiple artists working during and after the interwar period, each bringing different artistic perspectives. The artistic detail throughout the structure reveals how makers used craft to convey messages of national pride.