In the architects' competition on the street with the Gallery of Honor, Hradec Králové selected five finalists

Hradec Králové – The jury selected five finalists for the second round of the architectural and artistic competition for the modification of the space with the communist monument Gallery of Honor in Hradec Králové. The city hall received 28 proposals for the competition. This was announced today by Adam Záruba, the deputy mayor for urban planning and heritage care.

According to Záruba, the quality of the submitted proposals varied significantly "from very professional designs to somewhat amateurish." None of the proposals accounted for the complete removal of the communist monument. Záruba, who is also a member of the jury, did not provide further details, citing confidentiality. In the second round of the competition, the five selected architects will refine their designs. The winning proposal is expected to be known by the end of the year.

The competition, which the city hall announced this May, concerns the proposal for the modification of the space on U Koruny Street, where the communist monument stands in the center. The solution should include a new use for the artwork from the era of so-called real socialism.

The Gallery of Honor consists of two concrete blocks, at the junction of which is a relief of a large five-pointed star. One block still features most of the letters from the inscription "The people are the main creators of history." During socialism, photographs of deserving Hradec communists and workers recognized by communists hung on the monument. In the past, the city hall considered demolishing the monument.

The entire area addressed by the architects is bounded by U Koruny Street, Sukovy Sady, and Gočár Avenue. Contestants could also propose adjustments for the whole of U Koruny Street, for which the city has been considering reconstruction for many years.

The actual redevelopment of the space, which will include the construction of roadways, sidewalks, and new greenery, could, according to Záruba, cost tens of millions of crowns.