The viewpoint by the well in the center of Hradec Králové is meant to draw attention to the condition of the Great Square

Hradec Králové - A wooden observation point has been created in the center of Hradec Králové to draw attention to the state of the Great Square. The four-meter structure encircles the area around the Art Nouveau fountain. The square is mainly used as a parking lot today. The installation by the architectural studio Archwerk was initiated by the Gallery of Modern Art (GMU) in Hradec Králové to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the city’s first mention. Gabriela Bučková, spokesperson for the GMU in Hradec Králové, said this to CTK today. The opening will be on May 15. The project has been supported by the Hradec Králové city hall.

"The installation primarily highlights the problem that the Great Square looks more like a parking lot than a real square. From the observation deck, one can assess the tragic state of the area, which has been unacceptably degrading since the 1990s. One of the functions of visual art is the ability to look at things from a different perspective,” stated František Zachoval, director of the GMU in Hradec Králové.

The installation aims to spark a debate about whether the area should be reserved for car parking or transformed into a lively space for people.

The city has been planning to restore the historic square for nearly 20 years. The intention is one of the priorities of the city hall. They hope to have a selected designer by this summer. The city hall estimates that the project documentation for the construction permit could be ready by the turn of 2026 and 2027.

The city hall intends to modify the area around the fountain, which is 530 square meters, before the square is reconstructed. They want to enhance it with furniture and greenery and provide barrier-free access. This adjustment will also take up seven parking spaces. "The aim is to improve the appearance and functionality of this part of the square and create a pleasant place for sitting, meeting, and small cultural events,” said mayor Pavlína Springerová (Hradec Democratic Club). The modification is expected to cost around 1.7 million crowns.

"The question of adjusting this space is becoming increasingly relevant in connection with the preparation of project documentation. The installation, among other things, points to the need for revitalization of this public space in the central part of the city,” Bučková added.

The Corral installation in Hradec Králové freely refers to the famous Corral del Carbón in Granada, Spain, which is a square building from the 14th century with a two-story gallery that encloses the so-called paradise courtyard, where a fountain is located in the middle. "For centuries, during which the building changed its role, the fountain provided refreshment to visitors and became a meeting place for cultures. Although the Hradec fountain has never served such a purpose and has primarily been ornamental for over 100 years, due to its location, it also has the potential to become a meeting point,” Bučková stated. According to her, the Hradec Corral brings a forgotten urban element back to the center of events and makes it a place for discussions about the state of public space in Hradec Králové.

The author of the installation is the studio Archwerk, which builds its projects independently. For the creators, the essential idea is to install projects autonomously from start to finish. Typical characteristics of the studio's work include the use of timber with a standard cross-section without further modifications. In the case of the Corral installation, the boards are of the profile three by nine as the only construction element, according to the GMU in Hradec Králové. The observation point is already accessible. The structure will remain in the city center until September 14.