pomník padlým v boji proti fašismu v Chlumci nad Cidlinou Statue

The monument in Chlumci nad Cidlinou is a functionalist monument that has been transformed in its purpose and shape over the years. It was originally dedicated to T. G. Masaryk and the victims of the First World War, but later reminds of the victims of both world wars.

In 1926 he initiated the construction of Josef Bryscejn, director of the local boy town girl and representative. The goal was to build a memorial for the victims of World War I and President T. G. Masaryk. The opening meeting of the commission took place on 11 February 1927, but the implementation lasted due to financial difficulties.

In April 1930, the sculptor Josef Bílek from Horice was approached for the designs of the monument, but the agreement was not concluded. The city accepted the offer of the Prague workshop Franta Anýže, where the statue of Masaryk by Otakar Španiel was already finished.

The architectural solution was designed by the functionalist architect Kamil Roškot. The monument consisted of a stone plinth, a pedestal for a statue and a memorial plate. It was discovered on October 28, 1931.

In June 1940, the Protectorate authorities ordered the removal of symbols incompatible with the new regime, including the Masaryk monuments. The statue was submitted to the National Gallery and the city compensated 750 kg of precious metals. After removing the statue, there were only parts of the monument left.

In August 1945 the statue was returned and the monument was restored according to the new design by Jiří Durdik, who added a stone bowl for the piety fireworks. The restoration took place on 28 October 1945.

On 8 May 1953, the statue of Masaryk was removed and in 1959 the pedestal was installed on the statue of Red Arm Karel Samohrd, who was earlier at the bridge via Cidlin. The original record was replaced by a commemorative record by the victims of World War II. This new monument was revealed on April 29, 1959.

In 1991, the statue of the Red Arm was moved to the cemetery and an empty pedestal was replaced by a sandstone cube with the relief of Masaryk by Kateřina Čiháková. The memorial record of the victims of World War II was left in place. This new concept was festively revealed on 14 September 1999.

The original statue of Masaryk, created by Otakar Španiel, is still unknown, although a similar version appeared in the depository of the National Gallery in 1968.

The monument in Chlumci nad Cidlinou is a testament to political and social changes in the Czech history of the 20th century. It is a valuable element of urban space that resembles the tragedy of world wars and the personality of T. G. Masaryka. We recommend visiting it as part of the tour of the city architecture.