Hradec Králové

Hradec Králové (Czech pronunciation: [ˈɦradɛts ˈkraːlovɛː] (listen); German: Königgrätz) is a city of the Czech Republic. It has about 93,000 inhabitants. it is the capital of the Hradec Králové Region. The historic centre of Hradec Králové is well preserved and historically significant and is protected by law as urban monument reservation.

"Königgrätz" redirects here. For the battle fought near the town in 1866, see Battle of Königgrätz.

Hradec Králové
Statutory city
Market square
Flag
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): 
The Salon of the Republic
Hradec Králové
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°12′33″N 15°49′56″E
Country Czech Republic
RegionHradec Králové
DistrictHradec Králové
Founded1225
Government
 • MayorAlexandr Hrabálek
Area
 • Total105.61 km2 (40.78 sq mi)
Elevation
235 m (771 ft)
Population
 (2020-01-01[1])
 • Total92,939
 • Density880/km2 (2,300/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
500 XX, 503 XX, 530 02
Websitewww.hradeckralove.org
River running through the city
Petrof Piano Makers
White tower detail

The city's economy is based on food-processing technology, photochemical, electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and IT. Traditional industries include musical instrument manufacturing – the best known being Petrof pianos. The University of Hradec Králové is located in the city, the University of Defense has its only medical faculty in Hradec Králové and Charles University in Prague also has its Faculty of Medicine[2] and Faculty of Pharmacy [3] there.

Geography

The city lies at the confluence of the Elbe and the Orlice rivers close to Krkonoše (Giant Mountains), the highest of the Czech mountains, with its peak, Sněžka (Snowhill), at 1,603 m.

History

The original name of one of the oldest settlements in the Czech Republic was Hradec (the Castle); Králové (of the queen) was affixed when it became one of the dowry towns of Elisabeth Richeza of Poland (1286–1335), who lived there for thirty years, having been the second wife of two Bohemian Kings, Wenceslaus II and then Rudolph I of Habsburg. In Latin, the Castle of the Queen was called Grecz Reginae, the original German Königingrätz was shortened to Königgrätz by 1800. It remained a dowry town until 1620.

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 segment of the Protestant population left the area. In 1639 the town was occupied for eight months by the Swedes. Several churches and convents were pulled down to make way for fortifications erected under Joseph II.

The Battle of Königgrätz, the decisive battle of the Austro-Prussian War, took place on 3 July 1866 near Hradec Králové. This event is commemorated in the famous "Königgrätzer Marsch". Moreover, the battle put an end to the age of fortifications, which were finally destroyed in 1884.

The city is situated in the centre of a very fertile region called the Golden Road, at the confluence of the Elbe and the 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. During the 1920s and 1930s the city grew rapidly, thanks to decisions made by the heads of the city to develop a modern city, which included razing the fortress and opening the town for expansion. During this era many buildings of modern architecture were built, and Hradec Králové became known as the Salon of the Republic. This nickname was given to the city by its citizens, who were enamored by the architecture of Josef Gočár and Jan Kotěra.

Airport

Hradec Králové Airport is a public domestic and private international airport located about 3 km (1.9 mi) from the city centre.

There are currently no scheduled flights operating to the airport. It is sometimes visited by private jet traffic.

Culture

Throughout the year, there are a number of festivals and events. These may include a range of Music Festivals during Summer months, or other traditional Czech festivals that are celebrated across the country.

Theatre

Every May, an Air Ambulance Show is held for both the general public and Air Ambulance personnel. Every June the Theatre of European regions, an international theatre festival, takes place.

Music

Since 2004 the city hosts Hip Hop Kemp, one of the biggest European hip hop festivals, in August.

Since 2007 the city hosts Rock for People, the biggest rock festival in the Czech Republic, in July.

"Jazz goes to town", an international jazz festival, is held in Hradec Králové every October.

The city's museum currently holds one of the oldest surviving collections of Czech Renaissance polyphony, the Codex Speciálník manuscript.

The city is home to one of the Czech Republic's leading orchestras, the Hradec Králové Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sport

The ice hockey club of Hradec Králové is Mountfield HK, which plays in the Czech Extraliga.

The most successful football club is FC Hradec Králové, which plays in the Czech National Football League.

The women's basketball team, Hradecké Lvice, plays in the national women basketball league.

Notable people

Twin towns – sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic

Hradec Králové is twinned with:[4]

Cooperation agreements

Hradec Králové cooperates with:[5]

See also

References
  1. "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2020". Czech Statistical Office. 30 April 2020.
  2. "Medical School". Archived from the original on 7 August 2004.
  3. "Pharmacy School". Archived from the original on 12 September 2007.
  4. "Partnerská města" (in Czech). Statutární město Hradec Králové. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  5. "Spolupracující města" (in Czech). Statutární město Hradec Králové. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
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