It may therefore be said that what the “Twenty-Eighth” regiment meant for Prague and the “Thirty-Fifth” for Plzeň, the “Eighteenth” meant for Hradec Králové. From its foundation in 1682 until the beginning of the First World War, the 18th Infantry Regiment fought in a total of 282 battles and skirmishes in which more than 2,500 “Eighteenth” soldiers were killed and 6,400 were wounded. Members of the regiment were awarded for bravery a total of 18 first-class gold medals, 106 first-class silver medals and 84 second-class medals.
During the Austro-Prussian War, the regiment took part on 29 June 1866 in the clash at Železnice as part of the Battle of Jičín and on 3 July 1866 in the Battle of Hradec Králové, when during the day it became involved in fighting for Probluz.
Project Königgrätz 1866
The commemorative events project is an international gathering of military history clubs; ceremonial parades, concerts of historical bands, cultural programmes and interactive expert demonstration events with performers in historical uniforms and costumes take place. On the Chlum 1866 battlefield there will once again be reconstructions of battle events at authentic places of fighting with professional dramaturgy and commentary. There will be a period field camp, demonstrations of cavalry clashes, infantry bayonet attacks, artillery and rich pyrotechnic effects.
Visitors can additionally look forward this year, after a three-year absence, to the scenery of a period building as part of the battle demonstration.
Programme of the 157th anniversary of the Battle of Hradec Králové 1866
Friday 30 June 2023
Hradec Králové, riverfront by Tyrš Bridge on Eliščino nábřeží
16:00 “A Rendezvous with the Year 1866” ceremonial opening of the commemorative events
16:30 “Run! The Prussians are coming” performance by the cavalry of 1866
• training and riding skills of dragoons and hussars
• historical band of the 6th Field Rifle Battalion
• demonstrations of infantry and artillery
• presentation of the cadet company
• demonstrations of historical clothing
• steamboat rides
17:30 ceremonial march of soldiers from the riverfront 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
Chlum 1866 battlefield
22.15 - torchlight procession through the village of Chlum, commemorative act at the Prussian cemetery.
Saturday 1 July 2023
Chlum 1866 battlefield
10:00 - 17:00 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
14:00 battle scene “The Hradec Eighteenth in the battle at Chlum 1866”.
15:00 parade of historical troops.
Throughout the day it will be possible to visit the Museum of the War of 1866 and the observation tower. More than 400 members of historical units from Bohemia and abroad, 40 horse riders, twenty historical cannons, wagons, etc. will take part in the event. The battlefield will also show life in a historical field camp, stalls with souvenirs and refreshments.
For this day, bus transport to Chlum and back to Hradec Králové will be reinforced.
Buses HK–Chlum: stand J3–Terminál HD Hradec Králové
8:40, 9:40, 10:40, 11:40, 12:25, 12:40, 13:10, 14:35, 15:05, 15:35, 16:05, 16:35, 16:40
Return buses Chlum–HK: stop Chlum točna–kostel
10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 12:45, 13:30, 14:00, 15:15, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00, 18:00
Monday 3 July 2023
Chlum 1866 battlefield
17:00 ceremonial blessing of the cross on the mass grave near Hejcmanka in Rozběřice
18.00 requiem mass for those fallen in the battle in the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Chlum
Admission to all outdoor events in Hradec Králové and to 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.