The city is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Elbe and Orlice in north-eastern Bohemia. It ranks among the largest and most important cities in the Czech Republic. It is a metropolis of Eastern Bohemia, a regional capital, with seats of state institutions, important companies, museums, galleries, theatres and other cultural and sporting organisations. In addition, Hradec Králové is a university city since there are six faculties of three higher education institutes. The population in the city is almost one hundred thousand and Hradec Králové offers a high standard of living.

History:

A pre-historic settlement was located at the confluence of the Rivers Elbe and Orlice, which is documented by finds from this area dating back to primeval times, the era of Ancient Rome and Slavonic fortified settlements.

The first written reference to Hradec Králové as a town can be found in the deed of Premysl Otakar I of Bohemia dated 1225, which proves it is one of the oldest towns in Bohemia.

In the early 14^th century Hradec Králové became a royal dowry town and the activities of mainly Queen Elizabeth Richeza left a significant mark all around Hradec Králové. For example she initiated the construction of the Gothic Holy Spirit Church, later to be promoted to a cathedral.

The Renaissance period saw Hradec Králové influenced by the work of local and foreign craftsmen and also the creation of the second dominating feature of the town – the White Tower.

The town development continued with the arrival of Jesuits. The Baroque style is represented in Hradec Králové for example by the impressive Episcopal Residence and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, not forgetting the Plague Column.

During the reign of Maria Theresa and Joseph II, owing to its strategic location the town was rebuilt into a military stronghold. After the nearby Battle of Chlum on July 3, 1866 ending in defeat for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the idea of Hradec Králové being a stronghold was abandoned.

The demolition of the city walls enabled the further development connected with building up a modern city. The greatest influence on the development of the modern Hradec Králové was exerted by the then Mayor František Ulrich. Thanks to a high-quality master plan a unique modern centre was born.

Since 1962 the historic core has been an urban conservation area surrounded by outstanding modern architecture of the first half of the 20^th century.

The look of the modern city was mostly contributed to by two significant Czech architects. Prof. Jan Kotěra (1871–1923) designed several important buildings; the most impressive of these is thought to be the Museum of Eastern Bohemia, which was erected in 1909–1912. His pupil, Prof. Josef Gočár (1880–1945) continued his building activities following the modern rules of urban development control. He is known for a set of school buildings called V Lipkách and Gočár’s Staircase.

City urbanism, astonishing architectural works, the master plan concept as well as the high quality of the services offered have attracted plenty of admirers to the city from the ranks of both experts and the general public. Hradec Králové is deservedly referred to as the “Salon of the Republic”. Nevertheless, the modern city is not just the result of the creative efforts of the architects Kotěra and Gočár. One of the most admired structures is the building of the Hydroelectric Power Station with the “Hučák” bridge designed according to the plans of the architect Sander. Other interesting buildings include Novák’s Garages designed by Fňouk and Liska’s City Bath House with unique artificial waves.

A rare piece of architecture is the beautiful Greek-Catholic Church of St. Nicolas, made of timber, situated in Jirasek’s Garden, where it was moved from Malá Polana, Carpathian Ruthenia in 1935. Even today, new architectural buildings are erected in the territory of the city, such as the modern Terminal of Public Transport and the Study and Research Library.

https://www.hradeckralove.eu/tourists/history-and-heritage

https://www.hradeckralove.eu/tourists/walking-routes-in-hradec-kralove

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hradec_Kr%C3%A1lov%C3%A9

https://www.hradeckralove.cz/gbr/

https://www.hradeckralove.eu/tourists/attractions

https://www.hradeckralove.eu/tourists/schopping

Here is a link of 360 degree virtual tour of the Old/Great Square. 

The aguapark Flošna is a unique 15,000 square metres complex offering sports and relaxation for the whole family. During the week, it is open from 6am until 8pm. At the weekend from 8am to 8pm. Entrance is 115,-CZK for adults, kids above 120cm or students 75,- and for children under 120cm is free.

Swimming pool Flošna has 50m swimming pool, relaxation pool with a wild river and massage chairs, children's pool with slide and two water toboggans and lazy river that flows around. One of the big attractions is the adrenaline slide Jump. All these attractions are in operation and are included in the price of admission.

Swimming pool Flošna offers also two beach volleyball courts, table tennis and children's playground. Anyone who wants to relax or sunbathe may use the terrace on the building, deck chairs around the pools and lawn.

Most of the summer events and competitions in swimming pools Flošna is scheduled for major holiday weeks. Even in this season, you will be able to dive with air apparatus in 50m pool. Aqua aerobics and aqua Zumba is also planned.

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Apart from the regular viewing of the night sky, the Sun or other fascinating celestial bodies and demonstrations of telescopes as well as the description of the starry sky in the planetarium, the observatory offers a number of interesting lectures, exhibitions and a programme with an astronomic fairy tale – not just for children.

Points of interest: The observatory was built on one of the most beautiful spots – a ridge between Zámeček and Nový Hradec Králové, commanding a magnificent view of the Elbe lowlands to the west and an elongated valley with the Datlík and Roudnička ponds to the south.

Tips for visitors: You definitely should not miss out on the chance of taking a walk along the Galactic or Planetary Trail, which will take you not only through the beautiful scenery of the city woods but also along our Solar System and Milky Way.

https://www.astrohk.cz/indexen.php

The recreational and camping grounds are situated in the spectacular landscape of the Nový Hradec woods and the Orlice Nature park. It is a very popular cycling stop-over, but from the centre you can get there by city public transport bus Nos. 17 and 11. The area offers a wide range of activities for either a family holiday or a one day trip. Fishing fans will find excellent conditions here and naturists can head for a nudist beach. Moreover, it is possible to hire a boat or a pedalo, use the beach volleyball court, mini-golf or have a paintball battle. There is also a rope climbing and leisure centre.  

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You do not need to cut down on your climbing during the holidays. Perhaps you and all of your family can start this leisure activity here.

Since 2008 the outdoor rope climbing centre has been in operation at Silver Pond, offering an enjoyable experience for all age categories. The grounds which are situated on a romantic peninsula include a children’s park, high rope obstacles, centre for team-building and water world.

The almost certainly most beautiful building in the city was erected in 1908-1912 according to the design of the significant Czech architect Jan Kotěra. Other renowned Czech artists such as the sculptor Vojtěch Sucharda, painters Jan Preisler, František Kysela and Josef Novák participated in its decoration. Every year up to 10 -15 topical exhibitions are staged here, the permanent exposition displays three interactive models depicting the town during the period of the Middle Ages, as a military fortress and in its present day appearance.

Points of interest: From the very beginning the building was designed as a museum and today it is the only building listed as National Cultural Heritage in the city. Arch. Jan Kotěra also designed its interior including the furniture and other fittings. A bronze statue of a boy holding an allegorical depiction of Industry on the façade (the second one represents History) symbolises the city of Hradec Králové.

https://www.muzeumhk.cz/museum-gb.html

The unique Art Nouveau building designed by the architect F. Sander in 1910 – 1912, which today is still a functioning and used technical monument, is the site of the newly opened information centre, which focuses on renewable energy sources. The exposition leads via a projection room onto the first floor where you can try out various models of facilities producing alternative energy or compete in knowledge games.

Points of interest: The exposition displays the real historical Kaplan and Pelton turbines and a functional model for a safely whipping up a tornado.

Tips for visitors: From the opposite bank you can feast your eyes on the evening festive illumination of the power plant. During various events or by agreement you can take a look inside the actual small hydrologic power station.

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The original appearance of these buildings dates back to 1844–1846 and the grounds have been gradually enlarged to the present size. After the discontinuation of beer production the vast brewery complex underwent a complicated reconstruction resulting in the creation of the modern seat of the Hradec Králové Regional Authority. The original wall of the brewery cellars was decorated with a statue of Gambrinus - the brewers’ patron, along with four reliefs of a lion’s head. Today, the entire grounds have been modernised and adapted for the needs of the Regional Authority of the Hradec Králové Region and other institutions. During the reconstruction, remnants of the argillite inner wall with a bastion from the 15th –16th centuries were discovered. The structure was preserved and visitors to the building may view it behind glass under artificial light.

You do not need to travel half way across the world to admire the exotic fauna and flora of South andCentral America. More than 40 fish and 150 plant species await you in the grounds of the ENVI House in Hradec Králové. The largest fresh water aquarium with an underwater tunnel provides its visitors with first-hand contact with tropical nature.  In the building there is also a ricochet court, sauna and weights room, which offer active private relaxation for the whole family.

Points of interest: The volume of the exhibition tank is130,000 l water. The aquarium is5 m long and8 m wide. The height of the surface from the bottom is4.8 m. The view from the bottom of the pool is facilitated by a tunnel made of6.5 cm thick acrylate glass.

Tips for visitors: You should definitely see the regular feeding of the fish by divers who are actually in the aquarium or savour a cup of coffee at the Piranha Café, where you can watch predatory fish of the same name.

https://www.obriakvarium.cz/eindex.asp