The White Tower (Czech Republic)
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| The White Tower | |
|---|---|
Bílá věž | |
 The White Tower is situated in the city centre of Hradec Králové | |
 The White Tower | |
| 50°12′32.3″N 15°49′51″E / 50.208972°N 15.83083°E | |
| Location | Hradec Králové |
| Country | Czech Republic |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Founded | 7 June 1574 |
The White Tower (Czech: Bílá věž) is the tallest dominant of the city Hradec Králové in the Czech Republic. From the tower's galleries there is a unique view not only of Hradec Králové, but also of the distant peaks of the Giant Mountains and the Orlické Mountains. In recent years the tower came back to life with the exhibitions and became the center of tourism and cultural events. The White Tower houses the third largest and heaviest bell in the Czech Republic – the Augustine Bell.[1]
On 7 June 1574 the construction of the White Tower started in the middle of the western side of the Great Square in Hradec Králové. The construction was funded by charity gifts of the citizens of the city. In the course of the next six years a tower 72 metres (236 ft) tall was built.
The White Tower is the highest dominating monument of the city of Hradec Králové and most likely the highest building in Eastern Bohemia. In May 1581 the impressive Augustine Bell, 169 centimetres (67 in) high and 206 centimetres (81 in) wide was hanged on the fourth floor of the tower during a festive celebration. The bell was cast already in 1509 by famous Hradec bell founder Ondřej Žáček at the expense of the city and the commons. There is only one bell in Bohemia that is bigger. It is the famous Zikmund Bell that can be found in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle.[2]
