Grave of Masaryk family

The Grave of the Masaryk Family is a modest but historically significant burial site in the Lány cemetery, the final resting place of Czechoslovakia's first president, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, and his closest relatives. The listed location, Vašírov, can be confusing for visitors expecting to find the grave in Lány itself — but Vašírov is not a different village. It is the name of the cadastral territory on which the Lány cemetery physically sits, even though the cemetery is universally known, and functionally located, as part of Lány.

Is Vašírov the same place as Lány?

Not quite. Vašírov is a small settlement neighboring Lány, and Czech land registration divides territory into cadastral zones that don't always match the everyday village boundaries people expect. The cemetery where the Masaryk family is buried happens to fall within the Vašírov cadastre, which is why some records list the grave's location as Vašírov rather than Lány. For a visitor, the practical answer is simple: go to the Lány cemetery, right next to Lány Chateau.

Where exactly is the grave located?

The family tomb sits in the rear, northeastern section of the cemetery, along the boundary wall of the grounds. Two linden trees flank the grave, setting it apart visually from the more ornate monuments nearby — the Masaryk grave itself is kept deliberately plain, without grand architectural features.

Who is buried here?

Four members of the Masaryk family rest in this grave:

• Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk (7 March 1850 – 14 September 1937) — philosopher, sociologist, and the first president of independent Czechoslovakia, in office from 1918 until his resignation in 1935. He died at Lány Chateau, which served as his summer residence.
• Charlotte Garrigue Masaryková (28 November 1850 – 13 May 1923) — his American-born wife, whose maiden name, Garrigue, was adopted by her husband and passed on within the family name.
• Jan Masaryk (14 September 1886 – 10 March 1948) — their son, a diplomat and Czechoslovakia's foreign minister, known for representing the country from the London-based government-in-exile during the Second World War. He died in 1948 in circumstances that have never been fully resolved, shortly after the communist takeover of Czechoslovakia.
• Alice Masaryková (3 May 1879 – 29 November 1966) — their daughter, a social worker and the first chairwoman of the Czechoslovak Red Cross.

What is the history of the cemetery itself?

A burial ground first existed on this site from 1787, established on the grounds of a former brickworks. When it became too small, the current cemetery was consecrated in 1833. It was later enlarged twice: northward in 1927, and with an eastern section added during the 1960s. Because of its historical importance, the Lány cemetery is protected as a listed cultural monument, registered under number 4223.

Why does this grave matter to Czechs?

Lány and the Masaryk family grave rank among the most recognizable symbols of 20th-century Czechoslovak statehood. Official delegations visit the grave around national anniversaries, and the site remains a touchstone of Czech historical memory — tied both to T. G. Masaryk's role as founding father of the independent state and to the still-debated fate of his son Jan.

Frequently asked questions

Is Vašírov the correct location for the Masaryk family grave? Vašírov is the cadastral territory the Lány cemetery technically belongs to, not a separate destination — the grave is in the cemetery next to Lány Chateau.

Who is buried in the Masaryk family grave? Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, his wife Charlotte, their son Jan Masaryk, and their daughter Alice Masaryková.

Can visitors access the grave? Yes, the cemetery is open to the public: April to October from 7:00 to 20:00, and November to March from 8:00 to 18:00.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Lány Chateau, the summer residence of Czech presidents and closely tied to the Masaryk family's history, stands directly next to the cemetery.