Czech Cultural Gardens

Overview

The Czech Cultural Garden on East Blvd., just south of St. Clair, is a shining spot in the park of 29 cultural gardens. It features 6 busts, including Dvorak, Smetana, Nemcova and Barr. Life-size statues of T.G. Masaryk and Jan Amos Komensky are the focal points of the Garden. The statue of T.G. Masaryk, a plaster copy is exhibited at BNH, was donated by Frank Jirouch, a Cleveland born sculptor of Czech descent who created all the art pieces in the Garden and designed the Garden itself. On April 1, 1939, two linden trees were planted in the garden by the President and Mrs. Benes of Czechoslovakia. The Czech Cultural Garden still shines and educates people of all backgrounds of the contributions the Czechs made to our society; be it music, education, philosophy or prose. Sokol Greater Cleveland has accepted the Garden into its fold and will be guiding the future activities there.

Video Presentation Of The Czech Cultural Garden

Cleveland Czech Cultural Gardens

The CLEVELAND CULTURAL GARDENS are located in the area known as Rockefeller Park, along MLK Blvd. and East Blvd., just south of St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. The gardens are part of the City of Cleveland Parks. This truly unique string of 25 nationality gardens is representative of the various nationalities living in the Greater Cleveland area. Each Garden is supported by a sponsor organization representing the nationality.

The CZECH CULTURAL GARDEN was dedicated on October 6, 1935. It is circular in layout with two entrance monuments which declare the purpose of the Garden:” A memorial to Czech parents who by their solid example set the high ideals of American citizenship.” This Garden has the most statues of the many gardens in the park. The two full size statues, Komensky and Masaryk, are illuminated at night utilizing a solar-powered system.

The focal point is a statue of Jan Amos Komensky, an educator and philosopher known as the father of modern education. Busts of Frantisek Palacky, Karel Havlicek Borovsky, Jindrich Simon Baar, and composers Berdich Smetana and Antonin Dvorak surround the pathway representing Czech culture and history.

The statue of T.G. Masaryk, the founder and first president, stands at the apex of the garden. A monumental wall completes the design with a frieze depicting the arrival of Czech people in Bohemia and later in America.

President and Mrs. Benes planted a linden tree in the garden in 1939 as a symbol of the flourishing Czech culture in the New World.

All the aforementioned statues were made by Frank Jirouch, 1878-1970, a Cleveland born artist of Czech descent.

Improvements to the Garden in recent years were made with the financial assistance from the Holden Parks Trust, the Czech Foreign Ministry and the Victor Ptak Family generous contributions.

Czech Cultural Garden Association

Paul Burik, President

Blanche Vanis – Vice President

Ludmila Hyvnar – Secretary / Treasurer

Czech Cultural Garden At Cleveland

News

https://czechculturalgarden.webs.com/apps/blog/

Photo Gallery

: Fall In the garden

: Fall Czech Cultural Gardens

: The text is presented in Czech and English Entrance Monument

: Top of monument at the Czech Cultural Garden

: Bust of Frantisek Palacky, historian and statesman, author of History of Bohemia

: Karl Havlicek Borovsky-Journalist and publicist

: Dvorak’s Bust closeup

: Statue of Thomas Wasaryk

: Bust maintennance and care

: The bust of Bozena Nemcova, female novelist

: Section of the frieze on the rear wall illustrating the arrival of Czech to Bohemia

: Entrance to Gardens

: Spring in the Garden

: Antonin Dvorak’s bust in the back

: SVU Presentation in the garden

The Czech Cultural Gardens

The beautiful garden space is frequently used for lectures and presentations concerning Czech history. Throughout the Garden’s timeline, there have been numerous dedications for the various busts that have been added, as well as programs for honorees, and of course refreshments and music from our concert band as well.
We are continually improving the gardens, such as adding a new solar lighting system for the busts to be illuminated at night. Also, the various plantings for year round interest and beauty. We also take great care in the maintenance and care of the grounds, busts, and monuments. The gardens are such a wonderful addition to the hall, and we love having events there throughout the Spring through Fall seasons.

For more information:

Paul Burik, President, can be contacted at
paulb54@centurytel.net

Czech Gardens FAQ

Why is the Czech Garden important?

It is one of 26 nationality Gardens located in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. It represents the Czech history and the significant contributions made by Czechs to our society.

Are there other places like this?

To our best knowledge, there is no similar park like this in the U.S. or in the world!

Who takes care of the Garden?

The park is a City of Cleveland park. The city provides the basic park maintenance such as cutting grass. All the other items, including planting and watering the flower beds and maintaining the statues, are done by Czech Cultural Garden Association.