The City of Hradec Krlov

Hradec Krlov is a regional and administrative centre of East Bohemia with more than
100,000 citizens. As a city of cultural tourism and an attractive tourist destination it is
one of the most frequently visited cities in the Czech Republic. Hradec Krlov is known
as the city with high quality of life and high level of safety.
Hradec Krlov is the seat of six faculties for three universities: Charles University Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Medicine, The University
of Defence.
The University of Hradec Krlov has three faculties - Education,
Philosophy, Informatics and Management). The total number of students attending these
universities each year is approx. 10,000; from the Czech Republic as well as from
abroad.
Hradec Krlov lies on the confluence of two rivers, the Elbe and Orlice, it is the town
with many parks and orchards. In the surrounding there are nice forests and water
resorts. There is a network of coherent cycle paths - the city is on an important cycling
corridor, the Elbe Trail.
Hradec Krlov offers a wide range of cultural and social events. In addition to
approximately twenty cultural events each day, there is more than 15 years experience
in organizing international festivals which attract leading artists in their various genres
to the city each year. Top ten events include the Theatre European Region, Jazz Goes to
Town, Music Forum Hradec Krlov etc.

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Important events
JANUARY
FIRST DAY TOGETHER - NEW YEARS FIREWORK DISPLAY
The traditional welcoming in of the New Year in the historic core of the town under the
dominating landmarks of Hradec Krlov. During our first meeting you can look forward to
lentil soup and something to warm you up along with a varied accompanying programme for
the entire family and a unique firework show.
MARCH
ENTRE TO DANCE
The festival of dance and movement production attracting to the city dancers from around
the world. The festival represents a unique opportunity to compare the work of local and
foreign performers. ENTRE TO DANCE is a part of the international festival TANEC PRAHA.
INFO-TOUR AND CYCLING SPECIALIST CONFERENCE "FOLLOWING THE TRAIL OF
ARISTOCRACY
For 10 years the Infotour and Cycling Fair has been ranked among the largest regional fairs
of its kind in the Czech Republic, presenting regions, municipalities, localities, travel
agencies and offices, publishing houses and other entities of the travel industry
APRIL
HRADEC KRLOV KARATE GRAND PRIX
The international open karate tournament is the largest event of this form of martial art in
the Czech Republic. Last year more than 1000 competitors from 14 European countries and
Australia participated in this tournament. Since 2008 the tournament has been included in
the prestigious Central European Karate League.
The FEBIOFEST programme covers films of various lengths, genres and format and brings to
audiences the best productions of the previous film year including distribution premieres,
retrospectives and profiles. Moreover, it discovers new territories and unknown film-makers,
offers a section dedicated to gay and lesbian films, childrens productions and experimental
movies.
HRADEC KRLOV RAG DAY
A Rag Day is mostly a festivity of students, the celebration of the beauty of student life, as
well as a demonstration of student skills. The long-term endeavour of organisers is to
annually preserve the tradition of grandiose student festivities in Hradec Krlov, which are
an excellent presentation of Hradec Krlov as a university city and the Hradec Krlov
Region as such within the entire CZ.

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MAY
CENTRAL EUROPEAN JAZZ BRIDGE
Hradec Krlov will welcome jazz and Dixieland bands of Central Europe that together with
Czech performers will exhibit their interpretation skills. The festival is held in co-operation
with partners from Eger (H), Tarnwa (PL) and Bansk Bystrica (SK) and is a part of the
UNITED EUROPE
JAZZ FESTIVAL. ON ONE BANK (festival on the river bank)
The international festival of world music offers the best of European and world traditional
music, a non-commercial fusion of ethno, jazz, funk and soul, dance, film and theatre
projects. On the bank of the river Orlice you can meet musicians from England, Africa,
Arabia, the Balkans, Russia, the USA and others.
JUNE
PARDUBICE HRADEC KRLOV FOLKLORE FESTIVAL
This year for the eighteenth time, good neighbours and fans of folklore come together in
Pardubice and Hradec Krlov. Please accept our cordial invitation to the Perntn Night in
Pardubice, Masaryk Square in Hradec Krlov full of dance, to the Klicpera Theatre to
admire stage forms of folklore and to a folk party at rmeks Farm in Piletice and the
Sunday meeting of ensembles at Pardubice Castle.
OKOLOHRADCE MARATHON
The undemanding cycling race for both the public and professionals, offering routes of 60
km or 30 km, which lead along municipal forest paths, as well as 1 km for children, which
goes around the Multi-sport Stadium. The accompanying programme includes Childrens
Day, attractions, biking competitions, the advisory centre and the chance to compete
against professionals.
HRADEC KRLOV CHOIR SINGING FESTIVAL
The traditional feast of choir singing, which is followed by an international meeting of mixed
choirs will make streets, squares and concert halls come alive with music. Foreign guests,
national and local choirs truly guarantee a wonderful feast of choir singing.
DAY OF THE RIVER ELBE
The three-day programme will host music bands and many celebrities. The DAY OF THE
ELBE will take place in the traditional way with Trubaova Lvka (footbridge) and an allday long childrens programme for all nursery and other schools in Hradec Krlov FREE OF
CHARGE. It will peak with the rowing eights race between the Hradec Krlov and Pardubice
universities. Friday will focus on sporting and adrenaline activities finishing with the CITY
TRIATHLON and on Saturday a dragon boat race between companies and non-profit making
organisations will take place on the river Elbe. In addition, on Friday and Saturday there will
be a beer festival presenting regional breweries.

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THEATRE OF EUROPEAN REGIONS AND OPEN AIR PROGRAM

The end of the theatre season is traditionally connected with the renowned international
festival, during which more than two hundred performances of various genres will be
staged. The sixteenth year of the largest feast of theatre in Central Europe includes an open
air program, which all theatre companies can participate in. The performers play in the
streets of the old town, on pedestrian zones of the modern city, in parks and simply
anywhere they can find their willing audience.
JULY
ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF CHLUM NEAR HRADEC KRLOV
An international meeting of military history clubs, which will culminate in a large combat
demonstration on the Battlefield of Chlum. Replicas of historic houses, clashes among the
cavalry, artillery, bayonet attacks by the infantry, ample pyrotechnic displays. The
commemorative events will include memorial ceremonies and an accompanying cultural
programme.
ROCK FOR PEOPLE
Thanks to its international dramaturgy, the festival is currently the most important of its
kind in Europe and the current grounds offer potential for its further development. Rock for
People is known for its friendly and trouble free atmosphere, as well as the high quality
facilities and services for visitors.
CRAFTSMEN EMBANKMENT
A holiday event to liven up river embankments which will be changed into a craftsmens
workshop. Visitors will be able to admire the skilful work of almost fifty artisans from the
Czech Republic and abroad and moreover they will have the chance to try to make a handcrafted product themselves.
SCULPTORS RIVER BANK
The open-air exhibition of contemporary sculptures created at Hoice International
Workshop. All-year round at Tyls Embankment and Nmst svobody. The opening of the
Sculptors Embankment will take place on Sunday Jul. 25, 2010, together with a rich
accompanying programme.
AUGUST
JAZZ RIVER BANK
Sunday jazz afternoon, when concerts by jazz bands will enliven the Hradec Krlov
embankments and make the atmosphere of a summer holiday evening even more pleasant.
HIP HOP CAMP
In the 8 years of its existence, the Hip Hop Camp festival has become the largest display of
its kind in Europe. Every year it presents more than 500 musicians, dancers, sportsmen and
sportswomen as well as other performers from all over the world. Hip Hop Camp is a festival
with an unrepeatable atmosphere, which must be experienced!

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RIVER BANK OF POTTERY AND GLASS

The festival of pottery and glass will take place on Tyls Embankment. This year as before
visitors will be able to admire and buy products of glass makers and potters from around
the whole country as well as watching demonstrations of traditional craft techniques, whilst
listening to the stylish background music.
SHOW JUMPING GRAND PRIX
Three-day show jumping event. Competition in the categories of children, juniors, young
riders and seniors. An accompanying programme for children and adults. You can look
forward to taking a trip on a buggy, pony and donkey rides and exhibitions of gardening
equipment, passenger cars, and trucks.
INTERNATIONAL EMBANKMENT OF LOVERS OF STEAM ENGINES
This is the eighth year of this unique meeting of lovers of steam, boats, model boats,
garden and model railways as well as collectors of steam mechanisms and engines. Visitors
can enjoy trips along the river on board steam boats as well as riding on trains of the
garden railway and other attractions.
SEPTEMBER
FESTIVAL of QUEEN ELIZABETH
Ceremonial arrival of Queen Elika in her dowry town.The historic centre will come alive with
the medieval fair, parades, knights jousting, medieval plays and entertainment,
performances of thespians, conjurers and jugglers. The festivities will end with a traditional
fireworks display.
CZECH INTERNATIONAL AIR FEST CIAF
Hradec Krlov Airport will again stage a unique and attractive spectacle CIAF. This
aviation event with foreign participation focuses on demonstrations of military aircraft and
stunt flying, following the tradition of great CIAF aviation days in Hradec Krlov.
CITY ON WHEELS
A traditional sporting event in the streets of the city with the slogan We wont race, we will
enjoy ourselves. Up to 1000 participants of various ages and physical ability will ride
through the city on anything with wheels, large or small. The ninth year of this popular
event promises a 6 km long route, a plentiful accompanying programme and lots of prizes.
HRADEC KRLOV REGIONAL HARVEST FESTIVAL
Hradec Krlov Regional Harvest Festival has been the largest event in the region since
2004 with the visitor figures exceeding 30 thousand people. On this occasion, the best foodprocessing plants and agricultural companies receive awards. In addition to the plentiful
cultural programme there is a display of farm animals as well as agricultural machinery.

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St. Wenceslas HORSE SHOW

A display of horses to commemorate the public holiday, the Czech Statehood Day and
Festivities of St. Wenceslas. The programme will include displays by the riding school,
historical costumes, a traditional fair and the blessing of horses. A newly established
tradition is the manual bell ringing of the unique preserved Cathedral Set of Gothic Bells and
the municipal St. Augustine Bell. The celebration will culminate in the pontifical service in
the Holy Spirit Cathedral.
WAITING FOR WENCESLAS
In the last six years this event aroused a great deal of interest in spectators and thus
followed up popular shows of studio theatres held in the 1980s. Taking place in the first
month of autumn it fittingly opens the theatre season.
OCTOBER
JAZZ GOES TO TOWN
The international jazz festival is inherently connected with cultural life in the city. It is
characteristic for its non-pandering dramaturgy and co-operation with a number of foreign
cultural institutes. The festival presents jazz in clubs and pubs and attracts leading world
musicians to the town.
NOVEMBER
HRADEC KRLOV MUSIC FORUM
The joint project of Czech Radio 3 Vltava and the Hradec Krlov Filharmony. Its
philosophy is based on the modern forms of communication and the global view of the world
of contemporary classical music. Concerts are accompanied with lighting effects.
HRADEC KRLOV OPEN
The international dance competition for children, juniors, youth, adults and seniors. The
estimated participation of 20-25 countries. The points acquired in the competition are
included in the international rankings of dance couples.

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Tourist Highlights
White Tower
Former renaissance bell tower from the 16th century. There is situated the
third biggest bell in the Czech Republic. With its unusual timekeeping
system where longer minute clock hand shows hours and shorter clock
hand shows minutes the White tower becomes top-tourist city attraction.
The tower is 71.5m high.
Contact: tel: +420 495 513 966, www.bilavez.cz

Museum of Eastern Bohemia

The monumental museum building, national cultural landmark, was
realized according to the project of the architect Jan Kotra in 1909
1912. There are three city models: so-called aloudeks shows the city
at the time of a military stronghold, the city model from the year 2000
and the city model which shows the city at the time of a middle-age.
Contact: tel.: +420 495 512 391, www.muzeumhk.cz

Giant Aquarium
With the underwater tunnel offers its visitors a direct
encounter with tropical nature. There are also sport
facilities with a ricochet court, sauna and fitness centre.
Contact: tel:+420 495 534 555, www.obriakvarium.cz

Elbe Steamers
Unique steamers such as Primator and Queen Elika or Pirates sailing boat plought
throught the waters of the Elbe River. The one-hour sightseeing cruise provides an unusual
view of Hradec Krlovs landmarks and the romantic corners of the Elbe riverbanks.

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Contact:
tel:
+420
www.paroplavba.wz.cz

777

009

143,

Observatory and Planetarium

Apart from evening observations of the sky this establishment also
offers numerous programmes. For children astronomic fairy tales, the
planetary trail and the galactic trail.
Contact: tel: +420 495 264 087, www.astrohk.cz

Botanical garden of medical plants

was founded as an education centre at the same time as
the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Charles University in
1969. The areas are divided into several sections:
learning, botanical, phytotherapeutic, poisonous plants
and production areas.
Contact: tel: +420 495 067 443

Gallery of Modern Art

belongs among the most prestigious galleries in the Czech Republic. The exposition focuses
on 20th-century Czech art. There also take place concerts, lectures and other cultural
events
Contact tel.: +420 495 514 893, www.galeriehk.cz

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City Spa Aquacentre

is the significant monument of the urban architecture of
the 30s of the last century. There is aquapark with many
attractions and simulated waves. There is also 50meter
swimming pool.
Contact: +420 495 404 444, www.snhk.cz

Jirseks gardens
are situated on a triangular area bounded by the confluence of the rivers Elbe and Orlice.
There is a number of rare tree species, the rests of a military fortification and St. Nicolas
wooden Church from the beginning of 16th century.

Walking Routes through the City of Hradec Krlov

The first tour starts in front of the White Tower, second one in front of the Museum of
Eastern Bohemia. There are 24 informative stops on the walking routes. For better
orientation there are arrows on the pavement kerbs. The total duration of the walks is
approx. 90 to 120 minutes.
Contact: www.hradeckralove.org, www.ic-hk.cz

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