MEMORIAL TO T. G. MASARYK IN JÁCHYMOV
Introduction
Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk visited Jáchymov several times as a spa guest. His stay in March 1930, when he celebrated his eightieth birthday there, was of particular importance. The occasion led to public celebrations and to the establishment of a permanent memorial in the town’s public space.
History
On 8 March 1930, a commemorative plaque was unveiled on the Radium Palace building. The ceremony was attended by numerous miners and residents of the town and surrounding area. A speech in Czech was delivered by the chief spa physician, Dr. August Pirchan, while Dr. Georg Loser of the district office spoke in German. The event was accompanied by the miners’ band, which performed the national anthem among other pieces.
At the same time, a committee was established to build a monument to T. G. Masaryk. Funds were raised through public collections, raffles, balls, festivities and direct donations, particularly from the spa administration and local entrepreneurs. The necessary amount was collected relatively quickly, allowing the creation of a larger-than-life statue. The site chosen for its installation was the open space near the spa directorate building.
The statue was created by the academic sculptor Ladislav Šaloun, known as the author of the Jan Hus Monument in Prague’s Old Town Square. The cost amounted to 92,000 crowns. The ceremonial unveiling took place on 24 August 1930 under the patronage of Prime Minister František Udržal, Minister of Public Works Jan Dostálek and Minister of Public Health Franz Spina. In addition to the miners’ band, the garrison band of the 46th Infantry Regiment from Chomutov performed. A formation of the III Squadron of the 1st Air Regiment from Cheb flew over the site in Aero A-32 aircraft.
After the annexation of the border region to the German Reich, the monument was first dismantled and later destroyed.
Description
The monument consisted of a larger-than-life statue of President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk placed on a pedestal in front of the spa directorate building. The figure presented the president in a dignified pose, reflecting contemporary ideas of statesmanship and moral authority associated with the young Czechoslovak state.
Restoration
The monument was not restored after its destruction. The commemorative plaque on the Radium Palace remains as a reminder of Masaryk’s visit and the celebration of his eightieth birthday in Jáchymov.
