200-year-old linden at Prague Castle: Masaryk’s favourite tree to survive in clones

Even the most famous and largest landmark in the Czech capital Prague Castle — visited by a record 2.7 million people in 2025 — may conceal magical corners unknown to many. One such place is Masaryk’s Lookout, crowned by a majestic 200-year-old linden tree. It was here that the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, liked to sit and reflect. Today, dendrologists are striving to save his beloved tree, which is gradually dying, by propagating it for future generations.

The 200 years old linden tree that stands above the deer moat in Prague.|Photo: Josef Benda, Czech Radio

When Czechoslovakia was established in 1918, there was a need to rebuild Prague Castle and adapt it to its new role. The renovation was carried out under the patronage of President Masaryk, who resolved to “transform a monarchical castle into a democratic one.” He entrusted this task to the Slovene architect Jože Plečnik.

After noticing Masaryk’s fondness for sitting beneath the linden tree, Plečnik decided to redesign the surrounding area near Lumbe Garden, just beyond Stag Moat. Architectural historian Zdeněk Lukeš explains:

President Masaryk liked to sit under this linden tree, says architect Zdeněk Lukeš.|Photo: Jolana Nováková, Czech Radio

“He encircled the old linden tree with a semicircular viewing terrace. It offers a truly beautiful and unusual view of the Prague Castle panorama, of St. Vitus Cathedral, and you can also see other landmarks, such as the Czernin Palace.” Says Lukeš, adding that the terrace is a rare architectural gem.

“It is a small masterpiece by the Slovene architect, created in the second half of the 1920s. During the communist era, the lookout was closed to the public. As a result, it fell into disrepair and literally crumbled. We began restoring it in the early 1990s, and it was reopened to the public in autumn 1996.”

Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk in Lány|Photo: Book TGM in Lány, Publishing house Za svobodu

The linden tree under which Masaryk liked to sit was added to Prague’s database of significant trees in 2013, and its age is estimated at around 200 years. As this historically important tree is now gradually dying, dendrologists are attempting to preserve it through grafting.

Helena Pánková, Director of the Department of Parks and Gardens at the Prague Castle Administration, explains:

“The goal is to propagate the linden tree, to create its clones that can later be planted as young trees, thereby preserving its legacy.”

The view from Masaryk's Lookout is a showcase of Hradčany architecture, says Zdeněk Lukeš|Photo: Jolana Nováková, Czech Radio

Dendrologists cut the youngest straight branches, each with at least three buds. The grafts will be cared for in a dendrological garden for two years, after which about five young trees are expected to be replanted within the castle grounds. As Zdeněk Kiesenbauer, head of the Dendrological Garden of the Research Institute for Landscape in Průhonice, concludes:

“To ensure we have a sufficient number of saplings to grow, we need to take around 15 cuttings so we can select the best ones.”

Masaryk’s Lookout, with its historic linden tree, is open to visitors from March through the end of October.

The most beautiful route to Masaryk Lookout leads through a restored vineyard.|Photo: Jolana Nováková, Czech Radio