After another Austrian unit had been driven out of Svíb with losses, Festetics decided, after artillery preparation, to attack Svíb itself. Shortly afterwards, however, a Prussian shell exploded near the field marshal lieutenant and a fragment tore off his left foot. Festetics was taken by artillery limber to the dressing station and command after him was taken over by field marshal lieutenant Mollinary, who attacked Svíb. After hard fighting and the deployment of Prussian reserves, the Austrian soldiers of IV Corps had to retreat.
The involvement of two Austrian army corps (II and IV) in the strategically unnecessary battle for the Svíb forest is considered a decisive moment of the battle. By becoming entangled in the fighting for Svíb, part of the Austrian defensive line was weakened and exposed. As a consequence, the 2nd Prussian Army of Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, which arrived at the battlefield on the march, was able to seize Chlum in an attack around half past two in the afternoon. That decided the battle.
Count Tassilo Festetics (1813-1883), Austrian cavalry general and Hungarian magnate, was born on 2 June in Vienna. He served in the Austrian army from 1834, took part in suppressing the uprising in Kraków in 1846 and in 1849 fought in Italy under Marshal Radetzky. During the war with France and the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1859 he commanded a brigade, which he also led at the Battle of Solferino, where he distinguished himself. In 1866 he was entrusted with command of IV Corps, with which he unnecessarily entered into fighting at Svinišťany. During the Battle of Hradec Králové he again ignored the dispositions of the commander-in-chief and allowed himself to be drawn into the senseless battle for Svíb. At the beginning of this battle a Prussian shrapnel tore off his leg at the ankle, which led to his leaving the battlefield. In 1879 he was promoted to general of cavalry. He died on 7 January 1883 in Petrovaradin.
Project Königgrätz 1866
The commemorative events project is an international gathering of military history clubs; ceremonial parades, concerts of historical bands, a cultural programme and interactive expert demonstration events with performers in historical uniforms and costumes are held. On the Chlum 1866 battlefield there will once again be a reconstruction of battle events at authentic combat locations with professional dramaturgy
and commentary. Visitors will see a period field camp, demonstrations of cavalry clashes, infantry bayonet attacks, artillery and rich pyrotechnic effects.
Visitors can once again look forward to the backdrop of a large period building, which during the battle demonstration will be destroyed by artillery fire and pyrotechnic effects.
Programme of the 159th anniversary of the Battle of Hradec Králové 1866
Thursday 3 July 2025
15:30 Unveiling and blessing of the lion monument in Dohalice
16:30 Blessing of restored monuments in the cemetery in Dolní Přím
17:00 Commemorative act in Horní Přím on the occasion of the anniversary of the 74th Infantry Regiment
18:00 Requiem mass for those fallen in the battle of 3 July 1866 in the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Chlum
Friday 4 July 2025
Hradec Králové, riverside next to the Museum of Eastern Bohemia
16:00 programme for the 800th anniversary of the city of Hradec Králové “The fortress that did not surrender. Hradec Králové 1866”
•ceremonial opening of the commemorative events
•educational block about the attack on the fortress of Hradec Králové by the Prussian army in 1866
•training and dressage of horses, riding skills of dragoons and hussars
•Austrian band of the 6th Field Rifle Battalion
•Prussian band 1. Garde Regiment zu Fuss
•demonstrations of infantry and artillery
•presentation of the cadet company
•historical clothing
17:30 ceremonial march of soldiers from the riverside to Velké náměstí
Hradec Králové, Velké náměstí
17:45 assembly of historical soldiers under the White Tower
18:00 ceremonial ringing of the Augustin bell on the White Tower, honour salvos
Chlum 1866 battlefield
22:00 torchlight procession through the village of Chlum, commemorative act at the Prussian cemetery.
Saturday 5 July 2025
Chlum 1866 battlefield
10:00 to 15:00 children's programme at the Museum of the War of 1866
10:30 march of historical units across the battlefield
11:00 commemorative act at the Battery of the Dead
12:00 promenade concert by the band of the 6th Field Rifle Battalion
13:00 autograph session with actor Václav Vydra at the entrance to the field camp
15:00 battle scene “Königgrätz 1866 - Festetics” based on real historical events from the Battle of Hradec Králové in 1866.
After the end of the battle, approximately at 16:00, a parade of historical troops will follow.
In the battlefield area it will be possible to visit the observation tower (the Museum of the War of 1866 is temporarily closed).
Visitors will see in combat action more than 400 members of historical units from Bohemia and abroad, 40 riders on horseback, twenty historical cannons, wagons and a number of pyrotechnic effects in authentic scenery. Life in a historical field camp, stalls with souvenirs and refreshments will also be visible on the battlefield.
On Saturday 5 July, paid parking areas for private cars will be available in the battlefield area.
Bus transport to the battlefield and back:
Buses HK - Chlum: stand J3 Terminál HD Hradec Králové
•8:40, 9:40, 10:40, 11:40, 12:25, 12:40, 13:10, 13:50, 14:30, 15:40, 16:10, 16:40, 17:10
Return buses Chlum – HK: stop Chlum točna-kostel
•10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 12:45, 13:25, 13:45, 14:05, 14:45, 16:10, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00
Admission to all outdoor events in Hradec Králové and to the battle demonstrations on the Chlum 1866 battlefield is FREE.
The event takes place with the support of the City of Hradec Králové and the Hradec Králové Region.
Thank you for informing about the event and we ask you not to use the phrase celebrations of the anniversary, we celebrate the anniversary, etc. An entry card to the battlefield will be sent to you immediately on request.
Project director: Radek Balcárek +420608216662, koniggratz1866@seznam.cz
The commemorative events of the Königgrätz 1866 project are a sought-after destination for tourists from all over the world
and the historical battle demonstrations are, by their quality and authenticity, a European phenomenon.