Discover the Salon of the Republic: Your Go-To Destination for Summer Fun and Exciting Attractions!

The revitalized Museum of East Bohemia

Up until the middle of the 19th century, Hradec Králové, which is located at the meeting point of the Elbe and Orlice rivers, functioned as a military fortress surrounded by strong walls. It wasn’t until these walls were taken down that the town began to prosper, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s when it experienced significant growth. The architect Josef Gočár designed a unique and timeless urban layout, which is why the town is still known as the Salon of the Republic. Other talented architects and artists also helped shape the city’s new appearance, with Jan Kotěra, who was Gočár’s teacher and a key figure in modern Czech architecture, being particularly noteworthy. Kotěra designed one of Hradec Králové’s most stunning buildings, the Museum of East Bohemia, located along the Eliščina embankment. From 2019 to 2021, the museum underwent a complete renovation both inside and out, and now not only looks great from the outside but also showcases exciting new exhibitions within. In four different halls, you can explore the city’s history, from its prehistoric days to the era of the First Republic. The overall experience is enhanced by multimedia interactive features.

Stunning roses at the enchanting Rosarium

Are you eager to see an array of unique rose cultivars from top breeders? If so, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Rosarium in Hradec Králové, which is open only occasionally. This year, it will welcome visitors for just two weeks! The rose season in Hradec Králové runs from June 14 to June 29, 2025. At the Rosarium, you can admire over 220 different rose cultivars, carefully cultivated in about 1,000 individual rose bushes. Every kind of rose can be found here—including large-flowered, multi-flowered, climbing, orchard, groundcover, English, and miniature varieties. You might also recognize older names like tea roses, floribundas, and polyanthus. All the roses here are modern innovations, recently developed, and many are just starting to be introduced to gardens and parks, making them quite rare. During your visit, you will also have the chance to see the winning rose that has been awarded the prestigious title of Golden Rose of Hradec Králové, given to just one rose each year. Competitors primarily come from European nations, as well as New Zealand and the USA. For the third consecutive year, you will also get to see the Libuše Šafránková rose. If you feel inclined, you can vote for the most beautiful rose among visitors.

Water excitement at the Flošna swimming pool

The summer season for the Flošna swimming pool kicked off at the end of May this year. The water in the pools is heated to a comfortable 26 °C. Those who enjoy swimming and water play will find three different swimming areas: a 50-meter pool with five lanes, a leisure pool, and a children’s pool. The main attractions here include a large slide and two water slides. There’s also a spacious 1.5-hectare grassy area perfect for sunbathing. Additionally, the facility features a wellness studio that includes a Finnish sauna, bio sauna, aroma room, a steam room, a setup with massage showers, a NeoQi Harmony bathtub, a solarium, Vichy showers, two massage rooms, a whirlpool, and a smaller relaxation pool. The complex is open every day.

Night and morning climbs to the White Tower

On the first Saturday of each month, enjoy a wonderful view of the Castle coming to life at night. Being located right in the city center, you can see not only the notable buildings that give the town its name like the Salon of the Republic, but also the shining lines of the main roads and “lights illuminating” the skyline. The Renaissance-style White Tower stands as the tallest landmark in the city at 72 meters. From its viewing platform, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views not only of Hradec Králové but also of the distant peaks of the Krkonoše and Orlické Mountains. There are telescopes available on the viewing platform that operate with 10 and 20 CZK coins. Reservations aren’t necessary for the night tours. Just come on July 5, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1, and December 6, 2025.

If you prefer early mornings, you can take part in Dawn at the White Tower. The specific dates for this year are

April 19 at 5:54 AM, July 19 at 5:08 AM, August 16 at 5:47 AM, October 18, 2025, at 7:24 AM, and December 20 at 7:52 AM. For these morning events, you will need to reserve a spot and arrive fifteen minutes early.

More places to visit and enjoy!

• • The Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art, and other buildings designed by Kotěra, Gočár, Polívka, and other noteworthy architects can be experienced on the Salon of the Republic walking tour; the route stretches 3.5 km. The first of eleven stops is located right in front of the Museum of East Bohemia on Eliščina nábřeží.

• • The eighth stop along the way is at the Elbe Power Plant, featuring a segmental weir and a bridge called the Huckabee, designed by architect František Sander. The Hučák Small Hydroelectric Power Plant, a unique and fully operational engineering marvel, can be visited through the Renewable Energy Information Centre.

• • The Hradec Králové City Forests are a paradise for runners, in-line skaters, cyclists, horse riders, and walkers alike. Besides the fairy tale, galactic, and planetary trail, there’s also a new interactive trail with animal models that goes from the Brick Hut to the Knights’ Fortress, and features a ropes course at Silver Pond.

• • This year, you can also take a ride through the streets of Hradec Králové and into the nearby forests via a tourist train; it will operate until the end of September. The train runs from Wednesday to Friday and several times on Sundays, with the usual pickup and drop-off point for city tours located at the parking lot at the Museum of East Bohemia. Starting in June, every Sunday, the train will also make its way into the surrounding forests from the Zděná bouda turntable. The countryside rides will last around three hours.

• • This summer, various musical events will be held in the Hradec Králové region, including festivals, concerts, and town celebrations. The Regions Theatre Festival will kick off on June 20. Early July will see commemorative events for the 159th anniversary of the Battle of Hradec Králové – Königgrätz 1866, occurring in the historic center and on the battlefield at Chlum 1866. On July 12, a massive drone show will take place, and on August 1, a concert featuring Bryan Adams is planned. In September, the seventh edition of the popular balloon fiesta 80 balloons over Hradec Králové and the Queen Eliška Festival will take place. planning of Josef Gočár.