For more information about Hradec Králové Region that is not listed here please see the Hradec Králové Region tourist portal at www.hkregion.cz and the Hradec Králové Region website at www.kr-kralovehradecky.cz. Regional Development of Hradec Králové Region Photo: Hradec Králové Region Archive, Robert Průcha, Agentura pro rozvoj Broumovska, Photo Archive of the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové (page 8), Guards of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové Archive, Milan Drahoňovský, Sdružení Český ráj, Archive of the Pomology Research and Breeding Institute in Holovousy (Tomáš Malý), Škoda Auto, a.s. Archive, JUTA, a.s. Archive , Family Pass Archive, Automoto klub Hořice, DENÍK, SkiResort Černá hora – Pec, Dvůr Králové ZOO Archive, Trutnov Archive (Miloš Šálek), Žacléř Archive, Hořice Archive, Milan Drahoňovský, Václav Janďourek Graphic design: Pavel Tichoň Print: L. V. Print Published by Hradec Králové Region (c) 2016 DISCOVER THE HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ REGION The region, the natural centre of which is Hradec Králové, 1 2 3 as an administrative unit in different forms, with different competencies and various areas, has existed in the north-eastern part of the country for almost a thousand years. During that time, many important monuments have been built and are still under permanent care driven by the attempt to preserve 4 5 6 them for future generations. Today, Hradec Králové Region is active with economic hustle and bustle, many important industrial plants LIBEREC ÚSTÍ NAD LABEM HRADEC operate here and it has a dense and constantly KRÁLOVÉ KARLOVY VARY developing transport network. The natural character PRAHA PARDUBICE 8 9 OSTRAVA of the region,7 which includes the area from the fertile PLZEŇ OLOMOUC JIHLAVA lowlands to the top of the highest mountain in BRNO ZLÍN ČESKÉ the Czech Republic, also influences the composition BUDĚJOVICE of agriculture. There is advanced education in the region ranging from the lowest10 levels up to universities,11 numerous medical 12 facilities and advanced specialised centres, and a developed system of social care is available. The rich range of sporting and cultural events CZECH REPUBLIC significantly contributes to the comfortable life of the region’ residents and its visitors. 13 14 15 1. Žacléř Come see for yourself.6. Masaryk Chalet on Šerlich 11. Broumov 2. Dobrošov Fortress 7. Police nad Metují 12. Nové Město nad Metují 3. Trutnov You are always 8.welcome. Adršpach 13. Spring of the Elbe River 4. Kost Castle 9. Josefov Fortress 14. Nový Bydžov 5. Hořice 10. Les Království Dam in Bílá Třemešná 15. Náchod REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT 3 HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ REGION AND ITS SYMBOLS The golden crown of Czech queens in the third blue field is not only a symbol of the entire region but also an expression of the attribute “Králové” (král in Czech: king) in the name of the city and the region and indirectly the fact that five of the nine royal dowry towns are located in the region, which were the source of income of Czech queens from the 14th century – Hradec Králové, Dvůr Králové nad Labem, Jaroměř, Trutnov, and Nový Bydžov. THE REGION’S LOGO The logo of Hradec Králové Region refers to the location of the region in the Czech Republic and creates the letter “K” – the first letter of the name of the region – from the visual symbol. The Regiocentrum New Brewery in Hradec Králové – seat of Hradec Králové Region Hradec Králové Region It is a region with a rich history and a lively presence, a diverse range of historic sites, cultural attractions and natural beauty. More than half occupies the north- a million people live here within 4,759 sq km – as of 1 January 2016, eastern part of the there were a total of 551,421 residents. Czech Republic. THE SYMBOL OF HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ REGION The past and present are reflected in the symbol of Hradec Králové Region. The lion from the state symbol in the first and fourth fields indicates that Hradec Králové Region belongs to the Czech Republic. There is the gold letter “G” from the original symbol of Hradec Králové in the second blue field and this initial refers to the historical name of the city – Gretz. The oldest representation of this symbol from pre-Hussite times can be found in Vlašský Dvůr in Kutná Hora, where it is between other symbols of Czech cities carved in stone. The so- called small city seal dates back to the same period and in the colour scheme from 1463 it is in the bolt of the choir of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Hradec Králové. Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Hradec Králové 4 DISCOVER THE HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ REGION REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT 5 GEOGRAPHY OF THE REGION Rozkoš Water Reservoir Krkonoše Mountains - Sněžné jámy Elbe in Hradec Králové to the Odra River basin. The largest body of water in the region is Rozkoš in the Náchod area. The highest mountain in Hradec Králové Region, and even in the Czech Republic, is Sněžka (1,603 m asl), which is located in the Krkonoše Mountains. On the other hand, the lowest point is the surface of the Cidlina River in Hradec Králové district, at an altitude of 202 m asl. Prachov Rocks (Prachovské skály) The border of the GEOGRAPHICALLY VARIED REGION region to the north and Hradec Králové Region is located in the north-eastern part of the north-east is formed Czech Republic. More than one third of its borders, of a length of about 210 km, border Poland. Adjacent regions are Liberec, Central Bohemian by the Krkonoše and Pardubice Regions. Mountains and the Orlické Mountains. The border of the region to the north and north-east is formed by the Krkonoše Mountains and the Orlické Mountains which pass into the Elbe lowlands located in the south and south-west of the region. The geologi- cally varied Broumovský výběžek, where nature has created impressive rock cities – Teplické skály, Adršpašské skály, Broumovské stěny and Ostaš – is located between the two mountain ranges. This region is both the source and reservoir of drinking water which is among the best in the Czech Republic. The biggest watercourse is the Elbe River with its tributa- ries Úpa, Metuje and Orlice. The Elbe River basin covers almost the entire region except the peripheral part of Broumovský výběžek, which belongs Broumov Walls (Broumovské stěny) Sněžka Mountain 6 DISCOVER THE HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ REGION REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT 7 PAST AND PRESENT OF THE REGION was the new Jičín Region with its regional authority in Jičín. Because these large regions were not successful, Hradec Region with an area of 2,967 sq km was separated from Jičín Region and it had 340,792 residents. Hradec Králové Region operated until 23 October 1862 when the regional establishment was abolished. After the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic, the regional system was supposed to be replaced by the district system. In eastern Bohemia, the establishment of the Jičín and Hradec districts was considered. However, since the relevant law was not put into effect, the district system with its division of the state into districts was re-established. Commemorative event for the anniversary of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 The so-called small regions divided into districts were not newly estab- lished until 1 January 1949 and Hradec Králové once again became the seat of the regional government. In 1960, Eastern Bohemia Region was established as part of the establishment of ten so-called large regions. Its centre was again Hradec Králové and it consisted of the districts of Havlíčkův Brod, Hradec Králové, Chrudim, Jičín, Náchod, Pardubice, Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Semily, Svitavy, Trutnov, and Ústí nad Orlicí. This situation lasted until 1990 when these regions were abolished. Today’s Hradec Králové Today’s Hradec Králové Region, which was established in 2000, covers the districts of Hradec Králové, Jičín, Náchod, Rychnov nad Kněžnou Region was established and Trutnov. The seat of the regional government is the regional office in 2000. which has been located in the renovated complex of the Regiocentre Nový pivovar in Hradec Králové since 2008. Historical depiction of Hradec Králové The first written HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ REGION mention of Hradec – PAST AND PRESENT Králové Region dates The first written mention of Hradec Králové Region dates back to the second half of the 11th century when Hradec Králové Castle was its back to the second half natural centre. At the time, the vast area of north-eastern Bohemia of the 11th century. carried the name “Gradecensis Territory”. At the end of the Hussite period, the new regional system was finished and Hradec Králové Region was one of the then 12 regions. During the times of Jiří z Poděbrad, this number rose to 14 and the “Circulus Regi- nohradecencis” existed until the end of the regional system in the 1860s. Starting in 1714, there were again only 12 regions in Bohemia, including Hradec Králové Region. In the mid-18th century, after the separation of Kladsko and most of Silesia from the Habsburg Empire, Hradec Králové Region became the border area of the Czech state, and therefore two massive defensive military fortresses were built here – Hradec Králové and Josefov. Bydžov Region was separated from Hradec Region in 1751 as part of the regional administration reform. It is interesting that between 1779–1792 the seat of the regional government was transferred to the château in Hořiněves in connection with the con- struction of the fortress. In 1850, during the reorganisation of the regional administration, only 7 regions were established in Bohemia – in eastern Bohemia, it Demolition of Hradec Králové Fortress Meeting of the Hradec Králové Region Council in the late 19th