#Industrial and technical building #Hradec Králové #Czechia #1939
Bratři Zikmundové Brothers Zikmund
Koutníkova 641
503 01
Hradec Králové,
Czechia
Public transport: Koutníkova
Today's use: abandoned
Description
A remarkably well-preserved example of early petrol station culture. Although the four pumps have not survived and the building no longer serves for refuelling, its original use can still be easily imagined. To protect customers from all weather conditions, the station was designed with a concrete canopy. At its centre, a skylight is set into the roof. The roof surface, in the geometric form of an isosceles trapezium, rests on four pillars.
Originally, the station consisted only of the building set back from the main road. It was fitted with large windows so that staff had a clear view of the forecourt. For the café that opened in 2018, a similarly designed structure was added directly by the roadside. As there were originally no additional services beyond refuelling, a second building had not been necessary.
Thus, alongside the Novák's garage and the main railway station, the city of Hradec Králové has a second fascinating building connected to the history of transportation.
Description
A remarkably well-preserved example of early petrol station culture. Although the four pumps have not survived and the building no longer serves for refuelling, its original use can still be easily imagined. To protect customers from all weather conditions, the station was designed with a concrete canopy. At its centre, a skylight is set into the roof. The roof surface, in the geometric form of an isosceles trapezium, rests on four pillars.
Originally, the station consisted only of the building set back from the main road. It was fitted with large windows so that staff had a clear view of the forecourt. For the café that opened in 2018, a similarly designed structure was added directly by the roadside. As there were originally no additional services beyond refuelling, a second building had not been necessary.
Thus, alongside the Novák's garage and the main railway station, the city of Hradec Králové has a second fascinating building connected to the history of transportation.
History
The company was run by the brothers Rudolf and Oldřich Zikmund, who registered in 1920 to sell oils, petrol, paraffin and grease. In 1923, they opened the first filling station in Czechoslovakia on Prague’s Náměstí Republiky. They went on to establish filling stations across the country. From this, the Benzina brand emerged, which no longer exists today.
The filling station was built in 1939, when the Germans introduced right-hand traffic in the occupied Czechoslovakia from 26 March. However, Czechoslovakia had already been pursuing this change beforehand and had been gradually converting its traffic system. The official decision to do so was made in November 1938, while the Germans accelerated the plans for its implementation.
This filling station, located on the right-hand exit towards the north-west, is therefore most likely still a result of the original Czechoslovak planning, as such designs were usually prepared well in advance.
After the World War II the company was nationalized.
The early 21st century proved turbulent: in 2016, the city attempted to grant the building listed status, but without success. In 2018, a café chain moved in. As the building was not protected, a matching structure for the café could be constructed directly by the roadside. The property has since become vacant again.
History
The company was run by the brothers Rudolf and Oldřich Zikmund, who registered in 1920 to sell oils, petrol, paraffin and grease. In 1923, they opened the first filling station in Czechoslovakia on Prague’s Náměstí Republiky. They went on to establish filling stations across the country. From this, the Benzina brand emerged, which no longer exists today.
The filling station was built in 1939, when the Germans introduced right-hand traffic in the occupied Czechoslovakia from 26 March. However, Czechoslovakia had already been pursuing this change beforehand and had been gradually converting its traffic system. The official decision to do so was made in November 1938, while the Germans accelerated the plans for its implementation.
This filling station, located on the right-hand exit towards the north-west, is therefore most likely still a result of the original Czechoslovak planning, as such designs were usually prepared well in advance.
After the World War II the company was nationalized.
The early 21st century proved turbulent: in 2016, the city attempted to grant the building listed status, but without success. In 2018, a café chain moved in. As the building was not protected, a matching structure for the café could be constructed directly by the roadside. The property has since become vacant again.
Sources
Sources
