Statue of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, monument in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
The Statue of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk stands on Masarykovo Square in Hradec Králové, depicting the first president of Czechoslovakia in a dignified pose with his left leg slightly bent and arms hanging loosely. The bronze figure rests on a high stone plinth and is surrounded by a carefully designed plaza with low brick walls and open spaces that allow views from many angles.
Plans for the statue began in 1923 and sculptor Jan Štursa started the work but died in 1925 before completing it. Otto Gutfreund took over the project and the monument was officially unveiled on October 28, 1926, as part of Czechoslovak independence celebrations with soldiers, scouts, and city officials present.
The square is named after Masaryk, keeping his memory alive in daily city life. Locals and visitors gather here during national celebrations and remembrance events, making the statue a focal point for community reflection and shared respect for Czech independence.
The statue is centrally located on Masarykovo Square in downtown Hradec Králové and is easy to reach on foot. The surrounding plaza has benches and open spaces for sitting and resting, making it comfortable to visit and spend time observing the monument and its setting.
The original bronze statue was removed and destroyed in 1940 during occupation and later melted down again in 1953 during the communist era. After communism fell in 1990, a new cast was made from the original models and reinstalled in the square, symbolizing the city's resilience and commitment to preserving its history.
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