Work of a group of authors:

Jiří Kovařík, Anna Hostičková - conceptual design (Gate of Freedom)

Jan Soukup - architectural solution of the final form

František Bálek - bronze circular plaque - map of Europe and the advance of the units of the American Army

Pavel Mutinský - symbols and inscriptions on the pylons, bronze rectangular plaque on the right side

Investor: Investment Department of the City of Pilsen

Location: Pilsen, at the intersection of Klatovská and Americká Avenue

Materials: Mrákotín light gray granite, bronze, gilding

Realization: 1995, unveiled on May 6, 1995

Description

 The Monument "Thanks, America!" commemorating the liberation of Pilsen by the American Army is a work of a group of authors. The conceptual design was created by Jiří Kovařík, Anna Hostičková, and the association "Za starou Plzeň" (For Old Pilsen). After the sudden death of Jiří Kovařík, Jan Soukup designed the specific architectural form of the monument. The bronze circular plaque on the floor depicts a map of Europe and the main directions of the American Army's advancement with their designations, and it is the work of František Bálek. The monument is dominated by two granite pylons. The left pylon features the emblem of the 16th Armored Division of the U.S. Army and the inscription: "THANK YOU / AMERICA! / ON MAY 6TH, 1945 / THE CITY OF PLZEŇ / WAS LIBERATED / BY THE U.S. ARMY." The right pylon bears the Czech lion and the inscription: "THANKS, AMERICA! / ON MAY 6, 1945 / THE CITY OF PLZEŇ / WAS LIBERATED / BY THE AMERICAN / ARMY," and the author of the inscriptions and symbols on both pylons is Pavel Mutinský.