Stadion Arnošta Košťála Other

Welcome to Pardubice, Part Zelené Předměstí. Right now, you're standing in front of a place that is much more than just a sports establishment. In front of you is Stadion Arnošta Košťála, a place where movement, health and social life of the whole region have been intertwined for almost a century. Now, when you look around you, you perceive space that carries a layer of time. You can see the modern face of the current arena, but at the same time there is still history from the first republic. Stop for a moment, take a deep breath and imagine what this place looked like decades ago, when the new chapters of Pardubice sport began here. Let's go back in time together to understand how this journey began. It all started in the year of nine hundred and thirty. Imagine the autumn day, namely the fourteenth of October in the year one thousand nine hundred thirty, when the construction of this site was festively launched. At that time the stadium was designed as the Summer Stadium and was to serve as a centre for the development of physical education. It was an ambitious project that was supposed to bring the Pardubice top ground for the very popular sports at the time. The whole construction process was carefully planned and in the year one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, namely the last day of May, it was festively opened. It was a period of great optimism when it was believed in the strength of sport and healthy lifestyle as the basis of modern society. Now pay attention to the architecture that defines this space. If you look at the overall available, you will see the result of the collaboration of several talented creators. The main project of the stadium was developed by architects Karel Řepa and Ferdinand Potůček. Their aim was to create a functional and representative space that could handle the demands of thousands of spectators. Note, however, that the complex is not uniform in one style, because each part of it had a specific purpose. A very important part was the cycling track, whose design was entrusted to a German architect named Schürmann. It was this course that gave the stadium its specific character and made it a key hub for cycling in the region. If you look around now, focus your attention on the historical bleachers. These are the most valuable piece of the original substance that has been reading here for decades. These structures are not just a place for viewers, but they are the witnesses of history. It is fascinating to realize that these stands have been registered in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic since two thousand sixteen. This means that the State has recognised their architectural and historical value as irreplaceable. Look at their line and see the atmosphere of a place where thousands of people once applauded their heroes in anticipation of victory. It's a combination of functionality and aesthetics from when it was built with respect to durability and dignity. This place is also associated with the names of the personalities who have left a deep mark in our history. The most important moment in the early history of the stadium was the ceremonial opening of the cérémony in May of the year a thousand nine hundred thirty-one. Imagine the crowd, the expectations and the festive atmosphere. The stadium was opened with the personal participation of President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. His presence here was not random because the opening took place on the occasion of the Exhibition of Physical Education and Sport. The fact that the founder of our state himself came to put this complex into operation underlines the weight of sport and health at that time. Masaryk here saw a way for a better and healthier nation. The stadium's name is in honor of Arnoš Koštěl, another prominent person who was closely associated with this place and sports in Pardubice. Today, when we say the name Stadion Arnošta Košťála, we pay tribute to people who have helped to build sports culture in our city. For decades there was a centre of football, athletic and cycling events. There were records, big teams were held here, and generations of Pardubicans spent their free afternoons here. You might be interested in one interesting thing that shows how this space evolved. The stadium has never been a static place, but it has constantly adapted to new times. While in the year one thousand nine hundred thirty-one we talked about the Summer Stadium and the visit to the President, in the year two thousand sixteen we celebrated the recognition of the tribune for a cultural monument. And then came the year two thousand twenty-three, which meant a big break. A major reconstruction was completed this year. What you see today is the result of modernization, which has turned the complex into a modern arena. It's a fascinating contrast when you see the top current technology and equipment, and at the same time the protected historical stands remain. It's like a conversation between the past and the future, where the old didn't get torn down, but it became the basis for the new. Now try to imagine how the dynamics were changing in this space. From the first start on the cycling track designed by Schürmann, through tense football matches, to today's modern operation. The stadium survived changes in regime, social upheavals, and time trials. The fact that we can stand before the modern arena today, which still remembers the visit of Masaryk, is proof of continuity and respect for tradition. Now you are invited to take a slow look around and perceive this space with your own senses. Go around, see the space around you, and think about how many emotions have happened in these walls and on this lawn in the last ninety-three years. From the joy of victory to the disappointment of loss, from the silence of morning training to the thunder of thousands of fans. It all forms the invisible fabric of this place. Thank you for accompanying me on this short journey through time. The stadium Arnošt Košťál is an excellent example of how the sports area can serve as a bridge between generations. I hope this story inspired you to further discover Pardubice and their hidden treasures. You are now being left to explore the premises. We wish you a pleasant rest of the day and enjoy the atmosphere of this unique place. Goodbye.