Statue of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk in Karlovy Vary

The Statue of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk in Karlovy Vary stands at the corner of T. G. Masaryka Street and Dr. Davida Bechera Street, right in the heart of the spa town, directly in front of the Glass Palace (Skleněný palác). It is a bronze figure of Czechoslovakia's first president, set on an oval granite pedestal, and one of the youngest monuments in the city.

When was the statue erected and who created it?

The monument was unveiled on 15 September 2007, marking the 70th anniversary of Masaryk's death. The sculptor behind the work is Jan Kotek, an academic sculptor born in Karlovy Vary. The figure depicts the president larger than life size, cast in bronze and mounted on a low, oval granite base.

Why was Masaryk honored specifically in Karlovy Vary?

The choice of location is not accidental. Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk visited the spa town eight times between 1923 and 1933, coming for treatment like many other visitors of that era. The statue was created as a tribute to a frequent guest of the city and, at the same time, as a symbolic commemoration of the man central to the creation of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918. Its position on T. G. Masaryka Street, in a prominent stretch of the pedestrian zone, underlines the importance the city placed on this memorial.

Why was a nameplate added to the pedestal?

Shortly after the statue's unveiling, it became clear that some visitors — foreign tourists in particular — mistook the likeness of Masaryk for Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, since both figures share a distinctive beard and a similar overall silhouette in sculptural form. To resolve the confusion, the city of Karlovy Vary decided to add a bronze nameplate to the pedestal, giving the president's name along with his birth and death dates. The plate was installed on 13 June 2012, five years after the statue itself was unveiled.

Where exactly is the statue located?

The statue stands on a prominent pedestrian route in the center of Karlovy Vary, at the intersection of T. G. Masaryka and Dr. Davida Bechera streets, immediately next to the Glass Palace. The spot is easily reached by anyone walking through the spa district, close to other sights in the town center.

Who was Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk?

Masaryk was the first president of Czechoslovakia, holding office from 1918 to 1935, and one of the most significant figures in the country's history. He died in 1937. His regular visits to Karlovy Vary for treatment during the 1920s and 1930s made him one of the more recognizable historical figures connected with the spa, alongside the many European aristocrats and artists who visited the town in that period.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Masaryk statue in Karlovy Vary unveiled? On 15 September 2007, on the 70th anniversary of the president's death.

Who sculpted the statue? Jan Kotek, a sculptor born in Karlovy Vary.

What material is the statue made of? The figure is cast in bronze and stands on an oval granite pedestal.

Why does the pedestal have an extra nameplate? Because some visitors mistook Masaryk's likeness for Lenin's — a plate with his name and life dates was added on 13 June 2012.

What was Masaryk's connection to Karlovy Vary? He visited the spa town eight times between 1923 and 1933, which is why the city chose to honor him with this monument.

Where exactly does the statue stand? At the corner of T. G. Masaryka and Dr. Davida Bechera streets, in front of the Glass Palace in the town center.