bývalé ředitelství státních drah Administrative building

The former headquarters of the State Railways in Hradec Kralove is a monumental constructive building from 1928-1932, situated on the south side of Ulrich Square. The object was designed by architect Josef Gočár. The construction is a key element of the modern urban concept of the city and has since 1964 been included in the list of cultural monuments.

After the creation of Czechoslovakia in 1919, the office of the Directorate of State Railways was temporarily located in Prague Karlín and subsequently in the Gayer barracks in Hradec Králové. The decision on the construction of its own seat was taken after the city had provided the land with an area of more than one hectare and a financial contribution of CZK 1 million. Total construction costs amounted to CZK 27.6 million. The project was developed by Josef Gočár, which was also co-author of the city's regulatory plan. The ceremonial dig of the foundations took place on 8 October 1928 in the presence of the Minister of Railways J. V. Najmana. On 24 May 1929, President T. G. Masaryk visited the site. The building was ceremoniously opened on October 30, 1932, and the decoration continued until 1934.

The construction is 128 metres long and its horizontal lines resemble the design of fast cars. The reinforced concrete skeleton is supplemented by two perpendicular, 68-metre-long galleys, which, together with the south wing, close the inner courtyard. The facade breaks shallow risalites and ends with an atica with a ledge. The entrance portal is lined with black syenite and decorated with sandstone relief Allegorie's work, trade and transport from sculptor Bedřich Stefan. In the vestibule, lined with marble, there is a five-piece stained glass according to the design of Josef Kaplický. The complex also includes a two-storey villa for senior officials, which is connected to the main building by a corridor on the first floor.

The building was owned by the Czechoslovak State Railways until 1962 when it was transferred to the Regional Administration of the Ministry of Interior. During World War II, anti-aircraft shelters were built on the property. In the 1950s, garages, warehouses and public toilets were added. After 1962, the layout was modified, for example, the encamping of glass-glass-faced corridors, and in 1975 a partial reconstruction of interiors took place. A number of local companies participated in the construction and equipment of the building; F. Čílek has supplied lamps and products made of silver bronze, company B. Hubáček has ensured installation of the pipeline and gas pipeline.

The relief on the facade, set in 1933, depicts figures symbolizing the railway, trade and transport, including the ancient deities Mercury and Demetera. This decoration together with the technical solution illustrates the high level of construction at the time and the emphasis on modern infrastructure during the period of the first republic.

The building of the former Railway Directorate remains an important example of functionalist architecture and urban development of Hradec Kralove. For those interested in the history of modern architecture this object represents a valuable example of the connection of aesthetics and operational functionality, which is worth paying attention when visiting Ulrich Square.