What Kralovehradecky kraj is known for

The Hradec Králové territory is presumably one of the most popular holiday and touristic destinations in the Czech Republic. The northern part of the region is formed by a large expanse of nature and forests of the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) National Park, which passes into the Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area. These areas are filled with hiking trails, cycling routes, and natural climbing walls. The area of Hradec Králové is typically described as stone cities. Such cities include Ardšpach, Teplice, and Ostas. There is also the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Pravčická Gate, Stone towns of Bohemian Paradise, Prachovské Rocks, Hruboskalské Stone town to the Stone fortress Drábské světničky.[4]

However, these natural beauties and attractions aren't the only reason for the high amount of tourism in the Hradec Králové area. This region is filled with numerous historical and cultural sights such as museums, galleries, and castles. Examples include the Chateau Nové Hrady. Presumably, the most well-known thing about the castle is not only its great historical value but the wide range of other attractions. The castle also features an English park, the motorcycle museum, a gallery of hats, a farm with stables, and also a castle labyrinth. [5]

Another remarkable historical building is the Hospital Kuks. It's a Baroque complex that included a former spa, the hospital with the Church of the Holy Trinity, and the original pharmacy, which was founded at the end of the 17th century by František Antonín Špork and to this day is considered to be a national cultural monument. [6] Part of the Hospital poses the Czech Pharmaceutical Museum. The historic hospital is a popular place because of its long pharmaceutical tradition.[7]

Regarding the economy and business, the world-class piano brand Petrof originated in the City of Hradec Králové. To this day, the Petrof family brand, with over 150 years of a long tradition, produces pianos of the highest quality. The brand trades in five continents and exports to over 65 countries around the world. [8]

Geography

The Hradec Králové Region spreads out through the area of Krkonoše (the Giant Mountains) and Orlické hory (the Eagle Mountains). In the north and northeast is located the flow of the river Labe (Elbe), which created highly fertile Polabská Lowland (the Elbe Lowland). The two mountain ranges mentioned above are separated by the Broumov ledge, which is a flat basin between two mountain ranges. The natural rock towns are situated in this area, including the Teplice Rocks and the Adršpach Rocks, Broumov Hills, the Cross Hill and Ostaš. The highest point of both the  Hradec Králové Region and the Czech Republic is Mount Sněžka with an altitude of 1,602 m above the sea level, located in Krkonoše. [1]

The largest body of water in the region is the reservoir Rozkoš, which is situated on the Rovenský River. The dam was built for the recreational and protective purposes to prevent the region from floods. This area belongs to the most abundant water reservoirs with the highest quality of water in the Czech Republic. Some of the most important watercourses are the Elbe, where the Orlice and Metuje rivers flow from. [1]

The greatest variety of animal and plant species of the region can be found in the area of Krkonoše mountains. Krkonoše is a national park located on the border of Poland. It's home to over 15,000 species of invertebrates and 400 species of vertebrates. Many of these animals belong to glacial relics or endangered species. Also, the species diversity of the Krkonoše flora is the highest of all the surrounding Central European mountains. It is characterised by a high proportion of glacial relics and endemic species.[2]

Regarding the climate of the Hradec Králové Region, the months of June, July, and August are most likely to be ideal for the visit of this region with the average temperatures of this time of the year falling between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average maximum temperature of 22.0°C. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 0.0°C and is also the driest month with 22 mm of precipitation on average. The wettest is the month of June with 91 mm of rainfall on average.[3]

History

The area of today's Hradec Králové has been inhabited since prehistoric and Roman times. The archeological findings around the river Elbe indicate that this area was an important market place ever since the first inhabitants settled there. These findings can be dated back to the Late Bronze Age. After the migrations and arrival of Slavs in the 10th century, a fort with a market square was built in this area. Due to the position of these first settlements, an old trade route from Krakow to Prague was possible, which became an advantage and a reason for the rapid growth of the city. By the end of the century, Hradec Králové had fortified a castle system. Later, in the 12th century, the influence of the city grew and consequently, the city controlled the surrounding towns and villages which created a province of four castles. One of the most significant events for the city in the 13th century was the development of urban settlements when Hradec became a royal city during the reign of Přemysl Otakar I.[9]

In 1851, Hradec Králové was declared an independent city. In the year 1895, the mayor of Hradec Králové organized the construction of a modern metropolis. At the turn of the century, architects from Vienna and Prague were invited to the city in order to apply the principles of modern architecture during the reconstruction period. The development of the city was then interrupted by World War II. After the war was over, Hradec Králové remained the economic and cultural center of Eastern Bohemia as it is known today.[9]