Gallery of Modern Art in Hradec Králové

Gallery of Modern Art in Hradec Králové occupies one of the most striking Art Nouveau buildings in this Czech city, combining a historic facade with a collection of Czech and international fine art spanning three centuries.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The gallery sits in the historic centre of Hradec Králové, within easy walking distance of the Great Square (Velké náměstí) and the main railway station — plan on a ten- to fifteen-minute walk from either. Hradec Králové itself lies roughly 100 km east of Prague, reachable by train or bus in under two hours, which makes the gallery an easy add-on to a Prague trip or a stop on a longer tour of eastern Bohemia.

What makes the building itself worth seeing?

The architecture is as much a draw as the art inside. The palace was built in 1912 to a design by architect Osvald Polívka, originally as the headquarters of the Credit and Savings Institute, and it ranks among the finest Art Nouveau structures in the region. Above the main entrance, two monumental sculptures — Harvest and Trade — by Ladislav Šaloun flank the doorway, while the cornice rests on three Atlas figures carved by sculptor František Fabiánek. Inside, much of the original early-20th-century decoration has survived, including stained-glass windows, stucco work, and decorative detailing. Between 2014 and 2016 the building underwent a thorough reconstruction that modernised the exhibition spaces while keeping the historic interior intact.

What can you see in the collection?

The gallery focuses on fine art — painting, sculpture and graphics — by Czech and foreign artists from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Its permanent holdings trace over a hundred years of Czech art history, while a rotating programme of temporary exhibitions keeps the space connected to contemporary practice. That combination makes it both a museum of historical art and an active venue for current shows.

When is the best time to visit?

Because the exhibits are indoors, the gallery works as a year-round destination regardless of weather. It's worth checking the current exhibition schedule before visiting, since temporary shows often determine what's on view beyond the permanent collection. Spring and summer are especially pleasant, when a visit can be combined with a walk through the historic old town and along the riverside promenades that Hradec Králové is known for.

Frequently asked questions

What was the building used for before it became a gallery? It wasn't repurposed from an older structure — it was built from scratch in 1912 as the headquarters of the Credit and Savings Institute, and only later took on its role as an art gallery.

Who designed the building? The design is the work of architect Osvald Polívka, one of the leading figures of Czech Art Nouveau architecture.

Has the original interior decoration survived? Yes — stained-glass windows, stucco details and other decorative elements from 1912 remain in place, despite the modernisation carried out between 2014 and 2016.

What period does the art collection cover? The collection spans Czech and foreign fine art from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, shown across both the permanent display and temporary exhibitions.