Hradec Králové Region (Czech: Královéhradecký kraj, pronounced [ˈkraːlovɛːˌɦradɛtskiː ˈkraj] is an administrative unit (Czech: kraj) of the Czech Republic located in the north-eastern part of the historical region of Bohemia. It is named after its capital Hradec Králové that is located just 100 km from the capital city of Prague.
Due to the fact that in 1866 there was the decisive battle of the Austro-Prussian War in which the Kingdom of Prussia defeated the Austrian Empire, we are talking about Hradec Kralove as of the places where Europe was devided.
Our region is divided int 5 districts: Hradec Králové, Jičín, Náchod, Rychnov nad Kněžnou and Trutnov.
The Hradec Králové Region has approx. 554 thousand inhabitants, which is 5.3 % of the total CR´s population. The Hradec Králové district is the most populated district, the less populated district is the Jičín District. With its 116 inhabitants per square kilometre the Region is below the national average (132 inhabitants per sq km). The population density differs by districts; the highest is in the Hradec Králové district (181 inhabitants per sq km) and the lowest i the Rychnov nad Kněžnou district (81 inhabitants per sq km).
The region ranks second (following the Capital City of Prague, 15.6 %) in the share of population aged 65+ (15.3 %). An average age of males and females is also above the national average
Our region has the area of 4 759 km2 and accounts for 6% of the total area of the Czech Republic.
There are Krkonoše (the Giant Mountains) and Orlické hory (the Eagle Mountains) in the north and northeast passing to fertile Polabská nížina (the Elbe lowland). Both mountain ranges are separated by Broumovský výběžek which used to be a flat basin between two mountain ranges. The nature created there large rock towns – the Teplice Rocks and the Adršpach Rocks, Broumov Hills, Křížový vrch (Cross Hill) and Ostaš. This area belongs to the most abundant water reservoirs of the best quality in the Czech Republic. An important part of the territory comprises of the Krkonoše foothills and Orlické hory. Main watercourses are the Elbe with its tributaries Orlice and Metuje. The highest point of both the region and the Czech Republic is Mount Sněžka (1,602 m above sea level) in Krkonoše. The lowest point is the surface of the River Labe where it leaves the territory of the Hradec Králové District (202 m above sea level).
The Hradec Králové region is an agricultural and industrial region with well developed tourism. The industry is concentrated in big towns, intensive agriculture in the Elbe lowland (Polabí). The biggest concentration of tourism in the Czech Republic is in the Krkonoše mountain. Two thirds of the area of the Krkonoše National Park lie in the region’s territory and the most valuable localities of the Park can be found in the region’s territory. The following belong to the protected landscape areas: Broumovsko, Orlické hory, and Český ráj.
Information about the region can be found here – https://www.hkregion.cz/en/. And Hradec Králové itself Hradec Králové (hkinfo.cz).
Although the Czech Republic belongs to one of the youngest states in the world as the republic came into existence in 1993 after splitting with Slovakia, it is one of the richest country when we are talking about the culture.
Czech Republic culture has held true through centuries of change.
When traveling through the Czech Republic, you can find a lot of castles and chateaues that were built long time ago. They open their doors in early spring and close for the winter in late autumn. Czech families like to visit castles during the weekends or holidays.
Czechs love to attend the theatre and opera. Summer festivals are also very common and are held in many cities in the whole Czech Republic.
When talking about sport, Czechs are mad about football (soccer) and ice hockey. The national teams for both sports are well respected worldwide and always have a huge support locally. Each sport also has popular domestic leagues. Sport is a source of strong waves of patriotism. One of the most popular sport is skiing. Both – downhill and as well cross country skiing. Many families spends their holidays in the mountains during Christmass and spring holiday. If you want to spend this time in the mountains, you need to book your challet or hotel well in advance. Beside skiing in the mountains, very popular is hiking. The most visited place is Sněžka, the highest point of the Czech Republic. During the summer time very popular sport Chzechs do, is kayaking. You can see many boats on the rivers throughout the country, but the most popular is the Vltava river.
It is very common to meet in the forrest people with full of wicker baskets and rubber boots in the autumn as the national pastime is mushrooming.
Despite the many churches in the country, the majority of people don’t attend church. Non-believers are the majority after a long bout of communism. Despite this fact, Christmas and Easter are celebrated by the majority of the nation.
Czech Republic consumes the most beer per capita in the world. The country drinks on average about 161 liters of beer per person each year according to fugures from The Economist.
Czechs seem rather reserved when introduced to a new person. Usually, they do not trust people they do not know. Their behaviour may appear formal – the reason may be the use of the second-person in Czech language, the ‚polite‘ form. It is used with people whom you do not know, in a formal social interaction, or when younger generation is addressing the older one. We don´t smile, but it does not mean we are unhappy.
Czech people are naturally very polite and do not tend to be overly direct in communication. They generally avoid confrontation – informal straightforwardness in dealing is common. After getting to know them better you become to love their cheerful and helpful character and you can experience what a warm and firm friendship is about. They are very hospitable and enjoy to be a nation of realistic and very practical people.
Going to the cottage (i.e. chata or chalupa) is such a national pastime that the Czech language even uses the specific nouns chataření and chalupaření to describe what you do when you stay at a cottage. Typical chataření and chalupaření leisure includes activities such as: repairing or reconstructing an old cottage/farmhouse, building a new cottage, planting flowers or vegetables in the garden, cutting the grass, tending fruit trees, going for walks in the forest, cycling, mushrooming, picking berries, having outdoor barbeques, fishing and hunting. Visiting the nearest local pub is also considered a valid and vital cottage activity. According to Czech authorities, 1 out of every 7 Czechs owns a cottage which makes the Czech Republic second only to Sweeden in the number of cottages per capita.
In the Czech Republic, pre-school facilities cater to children aged 3 to 6. Compulsory education goes from the age of 6 to 15. Secondary schools cater to young people from 16 to 19.
The school year runs from 1 September until 30 June. Except for the pre-school level, the Czech educational system is overwhelmingly public and free of charge. Schools that offer teaching solely in a language other than Czech are private, and hence charge fees.
In Hradec Králové there is possibility to place kids at the kinder garden with bilingual teaching https://englishandgarden.cz/.
The first private elementary school in Hradec Králové. English is taught from the first class.
All three Universities in Hradec Králové (Univerzita Hradec Králové, Charles University, University of Defence) are well-known, internationally recognized public universities with a broad selection of study programms in English. Universities host every year students from all over the world.
Incoming students – University of Hradec Králové (uhk.cz)
In Hradec Králové is held every year already for several decades The Regions International Theatre Festival. The last week in June is full of concerts, theaters and workshops.
Klicpera theatre in Hradec Králové is well respected professional theatre with long tradition. Their plans are to have “English friendly” perfomances in the future.
Philharmony of Hradec Králové is well respected not in the Czech Republic only, but worldwide as well as they are regularly performing in many important concert halls in Europe and worldwide.
Filharmonie Hradec Králové (fhk.cz)
Galery of Modert Art has its seat at Velké náměstí. The collections represent a development of modern Czech art from late 19th to early 20th century until today. As of 2008, Gallery of Modern Art (commonly abbreviated as GMU) has a collection of modern art as well as a collection of other works, including former Vladimír Preclík Gallery. Gallery organises every month educational programme in English. About – GMU (galeriehk.cz)
Museum of Eastern Bohemia was built in the beginning of 20th century by one of the best architects that time Jan Kotěra. This unique building was declared in 1995 a national cultural monument. In the museum can be found permanent collections (archeological and historical). During the year the museum organises many different exhibitions.
1866 War Museum is situated in Chlum where the greatest battle took place.
Introduction – Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové (muzeumhk.cz)
Petrof Museum is dedicated to the company´s founder, Mr. Antonín Petrof. Pianos are made in Hradec Králové by Petrof family since 1864. In the museum you can find instruments that represent a cross-section of what the company has produced within more than 150 years.
Petrof Gallery has at the moment the biggest concert hall in our region where they organize not concerts only but various events. Hall – PETROF Gallery
Dancing theatre of Honza Pokusil (Taneční divadlo Honzy Pokusila). The theater creates original projects for children and adult audiences through contemporary dance art, physical and musical theatre. They work with important actors and musicians of the Czech and foreign art scene. They also organize regular courses in contemporary dance, neo-ballet and acrobatics for children and adults, movement and music workshops and educational programms for schools and the general public. They are able to give lessons not in English only, but in Spanish as well.
Taneční divadlo Honzy Pokusila (honzapokusil.cz)
More information about Hradec Králové region can be found at Tourist information center Hradec Kralove (hkinfo.cz)
A lot of domestic people but as well visitors dedicate a large portion of their free time to various sporting activities. No wonder as sports are excellent way to relax. We can proudly say that our region is one of the most visited region when we are talking about skiing as Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) and Orlické (Eagle) mountains are located in our region. Both locations offer great condition for winter sports from December until April. During winter time the skibus runs every weekend from Hradec Králové to Deštné v Orlických horách. The timetable can be found on the website of public transport company www.dpmhk.cz. During summer time in July and August cyclobuses will take bikers to interesting parts of Krkonoše and Podkrkonoší, the Orlické mountains, Kladské pomezí and Bohemian Paradise. Timetables are presented on the website of our region Cyclobuses in the Hradec Králové region – News – Hradecko Region – Hradec Králové (hkregion.cz).
Sněžka, the highest peak of the Czech Republic is visited by thousand people every year. But not Snežka only. Hiking the mountains is very popular by Czechs.
https://www.giant-mountains.info/
On the contrary, Hradec Králové is flat and is a very popular for cycling. Families often spend weekends cycling in the city forests that offer great condition for this sport.
Mountfiled Hradec Králové is hockey club playing Czech extraliga and the team participated every season in the quarter finals. Almost every match is sold out as the ice hockey is in Hradec Králové very popular.
Something from the history of Mountfield HK | Mountfield HK (mountfield-hk.cz)
Football Club Hradec Králové plays in the top league for the second year. A new stadium is currently being built in Hradec Králové. Stadium will have a capacity 8000 seats and will meet the conditions for UEFA category 4, which means that European cup matches of the Czech national team will also be able to be played there. The stadium can hold up to 25 000 people for concerts.
In Hradec Králové is every year held “Sport day” where all sports in the town are presented and they try to get new members to their clubs/teams. Many profesional athletes have grown up in the clubs in our region. Information about sport facilities in the town can be found here – Sports (hkinfo.cz)
Don´t hesitate to contact us with any issues you need to solve. If we are not able to help you, we will recommend you where to seek help. Contact person for Welcome Office in Hradec Králové is Mrs. Emília Vetráková, phone +420 725 977 397, email: vetrakova@cirihk.cz or plusinovace@cirihk.cz. We are continuously placing important information and what is going on in the town and the region on the social media:
Facebook – Welcome Office Hradec Králové | Facebook
Instagram – Welcome Office Hradec Králové (@welcome_office_hradec_kralove) • Fotky a videa na Instagramu.
FOREIGNERS CZECH is a professional dynamic company providing complex services for foreigners/expats starting with an apartment rental or purchase, through immigration assistance (visa), health insurance, tranpsortation, and moving all the way to translation, language courses, or business consultation. They provide continuous assistance ghroughut the whole relocation process and the entire stay with a wide range of other services that can be arranged on a single spot. Their professional with long experience in the field of relocation, immigration, and real estate give continuous support whenever during your stay.
Address: Malé náměstí 14/30, 500 03 Hradec Králové, phone +420 792 324 408, email: hradec@foreigners.cz, working hours: Mo – Fri 10 – 17:00.
Feel at home in the Czech Republic | Foreigners.cz
FOR STUDENTS has its seat in Hradec Králové too. This profesional agency is helping foreign students and expats since 2003. Their goal is to help clients acclimatize to their new environment until they are confident to venture out on their own. They are able to help with health insurance, translations, visa, transportation, Czech courses, moving, driving licence, housekeeping and laundry and many more.
Address: Tomkova 953, 500 03 Hradec Králové, phone +420 775 078 190, e-mail: hradec@forstudents.cz, working hours: Mo 08:30 – 17:00, Tue & Wed 08:30 – 15:00, Thu & Fri 08:30 – 15:00. During summer time the office is open Mo – Fri 08:30 – 13:00.
Integrační centrum pro cizince Hradec Králové – The mission of this organisation is to support the integration of third-country nationals, people who have been granted international protection and EU nationals living in the Hradec Králové region into majority Czech society. Centre in Hradec Králové provides services since January 2013, when it was established with financial support by The European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals. Services provided: interpreting, Czech courses – preparing for the permanent esidence exam, extra lessons with volunteers, Information on foreigners´ law, help and accompaniment at dealing with authorities, employers and doctors, contacts on other services, facilities and institutions, multicultural events and education courses, info centre, leisure time activities and workshops, social and legal counselling: Residence in the CR, employment, housing, social system, education, health care and insurance, business conditions in the CR.
Address: Šafaříkova 666/9, 500 02 Hradec Králové, phone: +420 492 604 940, mail: poradna.cizinci@hk.caritas.cz
Integrační centrum pro cizince Hradec Králové (cizincihradec.cz)
Organization for Aid to Refugees Hradec Králové Office (Organizace pro pomoc uprchlíkům Hradec Králové). They are focused on help to foreigners from the third countries living in the region of Hradec Králové and Pardubice. The office provides legal and social assistance. They also provide counselling for the asylum seekers and job coaching. At the office, there is a social worker and a job coach providing help during the opening hours.
Opening hours: Mo-Fri 9-17, Thu and Fri by appointment only.
All services are provided free of charge.
Address: Gočárova 1620 (3rd floor), phone: +420 733 121 186
Organizace pro pomoc uprchlíkům — OPU Hradec Králové