The Czech National Bank dedicated the five-year cycle to the urban conservation areas of the Czech Republic and presents its sixth issue. The gold coin with a nominal value of 5,000 CZK minted in top quality proof reminds us of the beauty of Hradec Králové.

The city of Hradec Králové, located at the confluence of the Elbe and Orlice rivers, is the administrative, cultural and spiritual centre of north-eastern Bohemia. It is also home to a number of architectural gems - for example, the Renaissance White Tower, built in 1574 from the charity of the townspeople, in which Augustine, our second largest bell, is suspended. The city's most famous landmark, however, is the two-towered Gothic cathedral, whose history began in the 14th century. At that time, Hradec Králové became the dowry town of Czech queens who lived as widows in the castle. Elizabeth Richeza of Poland, beloved by the town's inhabitants, also chose it as her residence. Apparently it was she who instigated and financially supported the building of the magnificent Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, Jan Žižka of Trocnov, on whose side the town sided during the Hussite wars, was buried here...Only few of these magnificent monuments have been preserved to this day. In the 18th century, the medieval buildings, which included residential houses, churches, monasteries and hospitals, had to give way to a baroque bastion fortress. However, the fortifications guarding the strategic area, which had been fought over many times throughout history, eventually became obsolete and disappeared, making way for a modern city that became an architectural textbook and the “Salon of the Republic“. It is no wonder that the historic core of Hradec Králové was declared an urban conservation area in 1962.

The author of the coin is the medaL maker Veronika Prokopová, DiS. The expert committee of the Czech National Bank appreciated especially the obverse side - "a beautiful representation of the interior of the Bono Publico staircase, which incorporates heraldic animals". The Empire monument is also depicted on the reverse side of the coin, accompanied by the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the Old Town Hall, the White Tower, the Marian Column and the U Špuláků House.

Gold coins from the ten-piece cycle of the Czech National Bank can be stored in a wooden collector's case, which is also offered by the Czech Mint.