Discover Königgrätz: City History, Architecture and Nature

For a stay in Königgrätz, city history, art, architecture and landscape offer a range of points of interest. In Hradec Králové, topics range from the city’s history and 20th-century Czech art to modern buildings. The 72-metre-high Bílá věž offers panoramic views; south of the city, the Biřička pond is used for walking, cycling and swimming in summer.

City History from Different Perspectives

The permanent exhibition “Cesty města” traces the history of Hradec Králové from prehistoric times to the First Republic. Its presentation includes interactive multimedia elements. One section presents the city as one of the oldest cities to have been granted legal recognition and explains its urban development from the 13th to the 16th century.

Another section focuses on the lives of residents during the era of the bastioned military fortress and continues up to the War of 1866. In this way, the exhibition brings together different scales: the development of the urban fabric over several centuries and people’s lives in a period shaped by the fortress. Comparing these themes, visitors encounter city history both as architectural development and as the history of its residents.

Art and Architecture

The permanent exhibition “České umění 20. století a jeho škatulky” at the Gallery of Modern Art examines the categories used to organise 20th-century Czech art. Its focus differs from the chronological history of the city: here, the subject is the classification of art. This makes the exhibition a fitting counterpoint if, alongside historical periods, you would also like to consider how the art of a century is categorised and viewed.

Architecture is also a defining theme. The original and diverse buildings by architects Josef Gočár and Jan Kotěra earned Hradec Králové the nickname “Salon of the Republic”. A specific, datable reference point is the Gočár Staircase: built in 1909–1910, it is an important work of modern architecture in Hradec Králové. Together, the broader view of the two architects’ work and this named building offer two different ways of exploring the subject.

Views from the Bílá věž

The Renaissance Bílá věž is 72 metres high. From its gallery, the view extends beyond Hradec Králové to the distant peaks of the Krkonoše and Orlické Mountains. An interactive tour with modern audiovisual elements adds to the experience. At the Bílá věž, visitors can take in both the city and the surrounding peaks, as well as a tour presented through multimedia—two perspectives that place the visit in context beyond its height alone.

Biřička and the Landscape at the Confluence

Hradec Králové lies at the confluence of the Elbe and the Orlice. South of the city, in the Nový Hradec area, lies Biřička pond, surrounded by forests. Visitors can enjoy several activities here: walks, cycling and swimming in summer. Depending on your interests, the area can be a destination for outdoor exercise or a place to spend time by the water; swimming is specifically a summer activity.

From the centre of Hradec Králové, you can reach the pond and surrounding forests by public transport on routes 1 or 2. Check the information for these routes before travelling. This gives you a clear distinction for planning your trip: city history, art and architecture offer cultural highlights, while Biřička combines walking, cycling and swimming in summer. The Bílá věž adds panoramic views and an interactive tour to the options.

Discover more destinations: Nechanice, Máslojedy, Lejšovka, Habřina, Káranice, Světí, Smiřice, Kobylice

For the broader travel overview: Hradec Králové District.