#Administration building #Hradec Králové #Czechia #1935
Ministerstvo financí (Czechoslovak Ministry of Finance)
Československé armády 408
500 03
Hradec Králové,
Czechia
Public transport: Magistrát města
Today's use: Municipality
Description
The building has an H-shaped plan. Its construction consists of a reinforced concrete frame with brick infill, while the white façade is finished in lime plaster. Originally, it housed two institutions: the district office, located to the left of the main entrance in the north-west wing, and the tax office, situated to the right in the south-east wing.
The main entrance is set within a central section designed to resemble a triumphal arch. Two columns—characteristic of Josef Gočár’s work—are particularly striking here, their height lending them a strong visual presence. This area is further emphasised by green tiles. The entrance itself occupies only the ground-floor zone, while the roof above symbolically unites the two administrative functions. From the central three-storey block, corridors extend to two symmetrically arranged four-storey wings, which adjoin at right angles.
A Japanese garden was originally planned for the inner courtyard, intended to link the complex with the nearby parks forming the city’s green belt. However, it was never realised, as the two authorities could not reach an agreement.
The entrance is completed by a sandstone sculpture depicting a lion—the heraldic animal of the Kingdom of Bohemia and of Czechia. It was created by Vincenc Makovský, one of the most significant Czechoslovak sculptors of the period before and after the Second World War.
Description
The building has an H-shaped plan. Its construction consists of a reinforced concrete frame with brick infill, while the white façade is finished in lime plaster. Originally, it housed two institutions: the district office, located to the left of the main entrance in the north-west wing, and the tax office, situated to the right in the south-east wing.
The main entrance is set within a central section designed to resemble a triumphal arch. Two columns—characteristic of Josef Gočár’s work—are particularly striking here, their height lending them a strong visual presence. This area is further emphasised by green tiles. The entrance itself occupies only the ground-floor zone, while the roof above symbolically unites the two administrative functions. From the central three-storey block, corridors extend to two symmetrically arranged four-storey wings, which adjoin at right angles.
A Japanese garden was originally planned for the inner courtyard, intended to link the complex with the nearby parks forming the city’s green belt. However, it was never realised, as the two authorities could not reach an agreement.
The entrance is completed by a sandstone sculpture depicting a lion—the heraldic animal of the Kingdom of Bohemia and of Czechia. It was created by Vincenc Makovský, one of the most significant Czechoslovak sculptors of the period before and after the Second World War.
History
The former District and Tax Offices were built between the summer of 1935 and the summer of 1936. The building forms part of Josef Gočár’s urban plan for Hradec Králové. Since 1987, it has been protected by the Czech National Heritage Institute. Between 1997 and 1999, it was renovated and now houses the municipal authority of Hradec Králové.
For further details, including information about the interior and contemporary press coverage of the building, please refer to additional sources.
History
The former District and Tax Offices were built between the summer of 1935 and the summer of 1936. The building forms part of Josef Gočár’s urban plan for Hradec Králové. Since 1987, it has been protected by the Czech National Heritage Institute. Between 1997 and 1999, it was renovated and now houses the municipal authority of Hradec Králové.
For further details, including information about the interior and contemporary press coverage of the building, please refer to additional sources.
Sources
Sources
