Pamětní deska Tomáše Garrigue Masaryka

The memorial plaque of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk adorns the facade of the town hall on Přemysl Otakar II Square in České Budějovice, one of the most impressive squares in South Bohemia, framed by baroque arcaded townhouses. The bronze plaque, measuring 80 by 80 centimeters, shows a bust of Czechoslovakia's first president at the top, with the Czechoslovak state emblem placed in the center. The composition is modest in scale but legible from street level, making it a natural stopping point for anyone walking through the city's historic core.

Where did the plaque come from?

It was unveiled in 1935. The design is attributed to K. Chochola, while the sculptural work was carried out by Jan Vítězslav Dušek (1891–1966), a Czech sculptor active during the interwar period. The plaque does not simply honor the president in general terms — it commemorates a specific event: the enthusiastic welcome South Bohemians gave Masaryk during his triumphant return to his homeland on December 20, 1918, only weeks after Czechoslovakia declared independence. Placing the plaque on the town hall, the seat of municipal authority, underscored how significant that moment was for the local community.

Why did the plaque disappear, and how did it come back?

The plaque's history mirrors the region's turbulent past. During the German occupation (1939–1945), plaques and monuments connected to Masaryk and to the idea of an independent Czechoslovakia were systematically removed, as the occupying authorities sought to erase pre-1938 symbols of statehood from public space. The town hall plaque in České Budějovice shared this fate and vanished from the square for decades.

It only returned in 1990, amid the political changes following the fall of communism, as reclaiming the memory of the first president became part of a broader restoration of national independence symbolism. A formal re-unveiling followed in 1995, after renovation works on the town hall building were completed, and the plaque was reinstated in its historic spot on the facade.

What should visitors know when exploring the square?

The plaque sits in the very heart of České Budějovice, so visitors to Přemysl Otakar II Square — known for its Samson fountain and the nearby Black Tower — can easily spot it on the town hall's facade. It is a small but telling piece of the city's historical memory, linking the architecture of a grand central square to the story of Czechoslovakia's birth as an independent state and how a provincial city welcomed its first president home.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the plaque located? On the facade of the town hall on Přemysl Otakar II Square in České Budějovice.

When was it created? It was originally unveiled in 1935.

Why was it missing for decades? It was removed during the German occupation (1939–1945) as a symbol of independent Czechoslovakia.

When was it reinstated? The plaque returned in 1990, with a formal re-unveiling in 1995 after the town hall's renovation.

Who created the plaque? The design is attributed to K. Chochola, with sculptural work by Jan Vítězslav Dušek.