Masarykova věž samostatnosti Lookout tower

Welcome to the Masaryk Tower of Independence. You are standing right in front of this important lookout and museum, which proudly stands on the wooded ridge of Horický's hair at an altitude of four hundred and eight metres. Take a moment of your breath, look around you and let the atmosphere of this unique place breathe upon you. If you look in front of you, you will see a monumental building linked to the Czech statehood and memory of the region. Let's go together to uncover her story, which has been written here on Horick for a century.

The emergence of this remarkable monument began to be written in the interwar period, in nineteen hundred twenty-six. At that time, the cornerstone was laid for exceptional personal participation by the first Czechoslovak President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. The people of Hořická wanted to create a dignified monument to celebrate the independence of the new state while serving as a lasting reminder and monument to the victims of wars from the region. The architectural design came from the pen of creators František Blazek and Henry Malina. The original magnificent plans envisaged that the building would be shut down to a respectable height of 40 meters.

Now pay attention to the facade itself and the shape of the structure you are facing. This functionalist observation tower and museum carry in its lines the manuscript of its time. Watch for clean shapes, material arrangement and overall composition that fits perfectly into the surrounding natural ridge of Horický's hair. However, during its history, the building went through a very moving time. The original magnificent construction projects were not completed as the architects imagined. In nineteen hundred thirty-eight, the construction was brutally interrupted by the Nazi occupation, and at that time the lookout tower was even damaged by German sniping. The wounds that the memory suffered during the war years have been complete for a long time. Only after the fall of the Communist regime, in nineteen hundred and eighty-nine, did the final completion of the necessary repairs take place, thanks to which we can now admire this monument in its renewed power.

Let's move on in our story to people whose names are forever connected to this place. The already mentioned Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk has imprinted exceptional seriousness with its presence when laying the base stone. The region was strongly associated with patriotic efforts, and among the important personalities that shaped the cultural and artistic life of Horick, the sculptor František Duchač-Vyskočil and many other patriots who sought to ensure that Hořice had a dignified symbol of freedom. The tower has thus not only served as a tourist destination for hikers, but above all as a sacred place of respect and memory.

If you look at the building and remind yourself of its fate, you might think of the interesting thing about its development. The original plans really counted on the height of the building up to 40 metres, but the adversity of history, the Second World War and the subsequent decades of totalitarian regime did not allow this magnificent architectural dream to be fully fulfilled in its original extent. Even so, this building has retained its unaltered symbolic value, strength and monumentality, which we still perceive on the ridge of Horický's hair.

Thank you for your time listening to this guide. I believe the view of Masaryk's independence tower will now be an even deeper experience for you. Step forward now, explore the surroundings of Horický hram and enjoy the atmosphere of this historic place spunky. See you later, Horick.