Hradec Kralove Travel Guide, Czech Republic

Hradec Kralove travel guide – The Dowry Town of the Bohemian Queens

Located at the confluence of the Labe and Orlice Rivers, 149 miles from Vienna and 81 miles from Brno, Hradec Králové is the capital city of East Bohemia, an important historic region in the Czech Republic. It has a population of about 94,255 inhabitants and it is one of the largest Czech cities.

The city’s name means “the Castle of the Queen” as it became the dowry town of the Bohemian Queens, starting with the year 1305, when it was bequeathed to Queen Elisabeth Richeza of Poland, after the death of King Wenceslas II, her husband. Before that it used to be a riverside fortress for more than 300 years.

At present, Hradec Králové is famous for its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture as well as for its modern urban area. It is also an important industrial and university centre in the Czech Republic. It is quite popular for its Petrof pianos manufacturing as well.

Hradec Kralove travel guide – The City

Hradec Králové is an excellent place to stop while visiting the Czech Republic. The splendor of the city charms any visitor with its impressive buildings, lovely parks and long tree alleys, so as to remember it for a lifetime.

The main square, Velké náměstí, is dominated by the most prominent building of the city, the Church of the Holy Ghost, an impressive sacral building with twin towers. A few meters distance, the White Tower rises as a freestanding belfry. The imposing Baroque building of the Town Hall with its pair of slender clock towers completes the beauty of the square.

All the other buildings, beautifully painted in lively colors, offer a great panorama of the square, especially seen from the viewing platform of the White Tower. Two staircases go down to the banks of the Orlice and Labe Rivers, right from the square. The parks around the old city walls are the perfect places for relaxation and a quiet stroll alongside the rivers. The Museum of East Bohemia and the river power station as well as some beautiful 20th century architecture buildings offer a modern view of the city.

The Observatory and Planetarium are also good sights of Hradec Králové. Located on the southern outskirts of the city, the view offers a great splendor onto the lowlands of Labe River and Datlik and Roudnicka lakes.

Some annual events of great interest are held in Hradec Králové. The impressive Air Ambulance Show is held in May. In June, the Theatre of European Regions gathers plenty of theatre goers, actors and theatre directors from all over Europe. Hip Hop Kemp, held in August, is one of the most important hip hop festivals on the continent. October is for ”Jazz Goes To Town”, the international jazz festival. No time to get bored!

Hradec Kralove travel guide – Public Transport & Accommodation

Hradec Kralove travel guide presents many options. Both the bus station and the railway station are located in the centre of the city. Personal transport solutions, private shuttle services and taxi services are also good opportunities to provide the transport towards and in the city as well. A wide network of local buses offers good links between the main sites and the suburbs. Cycling and walking should not be omitted.

All the 3-star hotels and 4-star hotels as well as the cozy pensions in Hradec Králové offer the best deals and amenities for tourists and businessmen visiting the city. Each type of accommodation has special offers for its guests and it is worth to know that booking in advance, especially done online, provides substantial savings.