History

The settlement of the Hradec Králové locality dates back to the later Paleolithic period. As early as in the 9th century, the hill over the confluence of the rivers Labe (Elbe) and Orlice was an important crossing of trade routes. The first written reference of Hradec Králové as a town comes from 1225. In 1306, Hradec Králové became a dowry town of Czech Queens, during the period of the Hussite wars it was a significant center of the Hussite movement, and in the 18th century it was a Theresian fortress, commemorated by the Battle of Hradec Králové in 1866. At the beginning of the 20th century, an economic and architectural boom started in the town. The building activity before WW I was influenced by a prominent personality, Professor Jan Kotěra, founder of modern Czech architecture. The urban project of the city center, including a radial circumferential transport system according to the development plan designed by Professor Jan Gočár in 1926 – 1928, a unique complex of functionalist buildings (nowadays a conservation zone of the city), is a unique phenomenon. The result of the creative activities of many significant 1930´s Czech architects was the modern city of Hradec Králové, which deservedly gained the name “Salon of the Republic”.