Hradec Králové Region Location Tour: Factories, Sports Facilities, Functionalism, Art Nouveau, and Baroque

The areas around Dvůr Králové nad Labem, Hořice and the city of Hradec Králové boast a diverse array of film-friendly locations, from industrial complexes and factories to swimming pools, Sokol gymnasiums, a Baroque townhouse, and stunning examples of Art Nouveau and Functionalist architecture with well-preserved arts and crafts elements. The Hradec Králové Region Film Office, in collaboration with the Czech Film Commission, hosted a location tour on November 5 and 6, 2024, to showcase these exceptional sites to film professionals.

“The tour was exceptionally well-organized,” commented location manager Daniela Týcová of Movie House. “The Savings Bank in Dvůr Králové was particularly striking, as abandoned banking spaces of this kind are quite rare. All of the locations were fascinating, and I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to explore them.”

 The location tour also attracted the attention of Czech Radio Hradec Králové, with reporter Tomáš Lörincz conducting interviews with the participating film professionals.

Mileta Textile Factory

Established in 1949, Mileta has grown into one of Europe's leading textile manufacturers. The company specializes in producing handkerchiefs, tablecloths, towels, and bed linens. Its extensive facilities include a weaving mill, a finishing plant, a dye house, and a folding department. A portion of the five-story building that once housed the company's management offices now stands vacant. 

Hořice Sokol Gymnasium  

Built in the first half of the 20th century, this Sokol gymnasium became a hub for local schools. Designed by architect František Zvěřina, the Neo-Renaissance sandstone building features a grand main hall with parquet flooring and a gallery. Additional spaces include a smaller mirrored hall, a gym, and backstage areas. A modern sports hall was added to the complex in the 1980s.

Holovousy Chateau Complex

Originally a 16th-century fortress, the Holovousy estate was transformed into a Renaissance chateau. In the early 20th century, it underwent an extensive renovation in the Art Nouveau style, incorporating Romantic elements under the guidance of architect Jan Vejrych. Today, the chateau is available for private events such as weddings and corporate gatherings, with on-site accommodation provided. The estate also encompasses a chapel and a park.

Šárovcova Lhota Brickyard   

Constructed in 1921 based on designs by Theodor Klein, this unique circular brickyard is an architectural marvel. Operational until 1962, it was later repurposed as a grain dryer. The current owner is dedicated to preserving the building's authentic character and is developing a museum showcasing the history of brickmaking and local traditions. A striking forty-meter chimney dominates the courtyard.

Velichovky Spa    

This spa, specializing in the treatment of joint problems with healing chalk mud, was built in 1898. The abandoned complex was purchased from the state in 2014 by a private company, which restored the spa a year later. The spa park features the Dům pod Kaštany (House under the Chestnut Trees) restaurant, a building dating back to the First Republic, which hosts dance evenings, film screenings, and other cultural events. Amenities include a restaurant with a lounge and wine bar, and a 250-seat cinema hall. 

Mayer Factory 

Jindřich Mayer founded the factory in Dvůr Králové nad Labem in 1865. Originally a dye-works and hand weaving mill, from 1924 to 1958 it served as a marketplace, later becoming a production facility for textile machinery. The city now owns the property and plans to demolish several smaller buildings on the site. Their long-term plan is to construct a cultural center with a multipurpose hall and underground parking, and they are currently seeking a grant for the project.

Tyrš Outdoor Pool in Dvůr Králové nad Labem

The municipal swimming pool first opened in 1933. The complex, last renovated in 2002, features two pools (50 x 25 meters and 23 meters), a wading pool, and a restaurant with an outdoor terrace. Visitors can also enjoy an asphalt court for basketball and tennis, a beach volleyball court, and a grassy playing field. 

Zálabí Industrial Complex 

At 83 meters in height, the tallest chimney with a water tank in the Czech Republic is a technical monument. It was built in 1941, and the 300 cubic meter water tank was in use until 2007. It stands in the area of the former textile factory of Josef Sochor, where old warehouses are available to filmmakers.

Savings Bank in Dvůr Králové nad Labem  

Built in 1910, this three-story building features late Art Nouveau styling with historicizing details. Many original arts and crafts details remain, including stucco reliefs on the walls, a wrought iron railing with wooden handrails, doors, ceiling lights, and wood veneer paneling in the meeting room. The ground floor houses commercial spaces with glazed display windows dating back to the 1930s, while the second floor contains private apartments. 

Jaroměř-Josefov  

Completed in 1787, the imperial fortress town of Josefov boasts an extensive network of underground corridors. This system of bastions, ramparts, moats, mine tunnels, and residential casemates forms one of Europe's largest underground defense systems. Above ground, visitors can explore townhouses with arcades, a blacksmith's workshop, a carpenter's workshop, and a tinsmith's workshop. Today, Josefov is home to several museums and local artists' studios. 

Regional Court in Hradec Králové    

Architect Václav Rejchl designed this unconventional pentagonal building, constructed in 1934 in the Functionalist style. Sandstone statues of Law and Justice by Josef Bílek grace the entrance staircase, and the building retains many of its original features. The Hradec Králové Detention Center occupies the other half of the pentagonal complex.

New Adalbertinum    

Originally built as a Jesuit college between 1671 and 1710, this building in Hradec Králové now houses a hotel and congress center. Its Episcopal Library, dating back to the early 18th century, holds a collection of 60,000 volumes. The hotel offers its enclosed courtyard and southern terraces as venues for weddings. The halls and salons have a total capacity of 700 people, and the exhibition area spans 1800 square meters. The hotel can accommodate up to 70 guests. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the Chapel of St. Adalbert are also part of the complex.

Contact for filming in the Hradec Králové Region:

Hradec Králové Region Film Office, Lucie Hučíková (hucikova.lucie@ccrkhk.cz, +420 775 968 519)