T. G. Masaryka

T. G. Masaryka marks the modest grave of Czechoslovakia's first president in the village cemetery of Lány, a quiet pilgrimage site that still draws visitors paying respects to the man many Czechs call the founding father of their nation.

Where exactly is the grave located?

The tomb sits in the lower right section of the Lány cemetery, an area added when the burial ground was expanded in 1927 — years before Masaryk's own death made the plot necessary. The family plot lies close to the northeastern boundary wall. There's no grand monument here, no statues or marble: a rectangular grass-covered mound is bordered by a low wooden picket fence, with sandy paths running around its perimeter. That plainness wasn't accidental — Masaryk asked to be buried like an ordinary villager rather than a head of state.

Who else is buried here?

The family plot holds more than the president himself. His wife Charlotta died in 1923, well before him, and rests beside the spot Masaryk would later occupy. Their son Jan Masaryk, foreign minister of post-war Czechoslovakia, died in 1948 and was laid to rest here too, as was their daughter Alice Masaryková, a social reformer who passed away in 1966. Two of the president's granddaughters, Anna and Herberta Masaryková, were buried in the same plot in 1996. The tomb has since been declared a national cultural monument by the Czech Ministry of Culture, a formal recognition of its place in the country's history.

How do you get there?

Lány lies roughly 30 kilometers west of Prague, on the way toward Rakovník. Driving is the easiest option — the cemetery sits in a quiet corner of the village, an easy walk from the center and from the well-known Lány chateau, the traditional summer residence of Czech presidents. Without a car, expect a couple of changes: a train or bus to Kladno or Rakovník, followed by a local bus into Lány. There's no admission fee to enter the cemetery or approach the grave, so a visit costs nothing beyond the trip itself.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

It's worth walking the rest of the cemetery, since several other figures tied to Czechoslovak history are buried there as well. A short distance away stands the Lány chateau, which still functions as a presidential residence, so its interior isn't always open to visitors, though the surrounding park often is. The adjoining Lány game reserve, once a hunting ground, is now popular with walkers and cyclists and is home to free-roaming deer.

When is the best time to visit?

The grave and cemetery are open year-round, but spring and summer bring the most visitors, since good weather makes it easy to pair the visit with a walk through the surrounding forest. March 7, Masaryk's birthday, is a particularly notable date — official commemorations are held at the grave, often attended by representatives of the Czech state, including the sitting president. Autumn and winter are much quieter, which suits anyone looking for a reflective moment away from crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the cemetery or the grave? No, entry is completely free and the cemetery is open to the public during its usual hours.

Can the grave be visited on any day of the week? Yes, the cemetery is open daily; access is only briefly limited during official state ceremonies.

How much time should I set aside? Seeing the grave itself takes just a few minutes, but plan for at least an hour if you want to walk the cemetery and the area around the chateau.

Is there anything else in Lány connected to Masaryk? Yes — besides the grave, the Lány chateau, the historic presidential summer residence, and the neighboring Lány game reserve are both closely tied to presidential tradition.