About Hradec Králové

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Hradec Králové is a city of two faces. The first is historical and crowned with five spires on the main square. The second is modern and unique, established at the start of the 20th century with the inimitable atmosphere of the optimistic times of the First Republic. Travel through both worlds, have a seat in one of the local cafes and watch the game of light and shade on the Functionalist and Cubist palaces as well as the pastel colours of the Renaissance houses which change with the rays of sunlight.

Hradec Králové was the first town to declare for the national cause during the Hussite Wars in the first half of the 15th century. After the Battle of White Mountain (1620) a large part of the Protestant population left the place. In 1639 the town was occupied for eight months by the Swedes.

The city is situated in the centre of a very fertile region called the Golden Road on the confluence of Elbe and Orlice and contains many buildings of historical and architectural interest. The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit was founded in 1303 by Elizabeth, and the church of St. John, built in 1710, stands on the ruins of the old castle.

Famous people are:

Josef Čapek, painter, writer, poet

Avigdor Dagan, Israeli diplomat

Josef Gočár, architect