From History to Today
In the past, people had no guarantee that there would be enough grain each year, which led to the creation of "contribution granaries" — communal municipal storehouses that served as a safeguard in times of crop failure, war, or other crises.
Farmers could borrow grain from them for sowing, which they returned after the harvest, often with a small interest. In times of scarcity, grain from these reserves was distributed to the population, helping to prevent famines and social unrest. The granaries also helped stabilize grain prices in local markets and fostered solidarity among people – every farmer contributed to the communal stock. This system was not only practical but also farsighted, as it enabled communities to survive even in difficult times. Today, contribution granaries are often beautiful historical landmarks and a reminder of a smart and functional system through which people helped each other.
One of the most striking examples is the Bělohrad Granary – a Baroque building from the 18th century, notable for its unique architecture with vaulted ceilings on two floors. The vaulted ceiling on the ground floor is unusual for a granary originally intended solely for grain storage, while the vault on the second floor is entirely unique within the Czech Republic. In the 19th century, an entrance portal was added, and in 1893, an elevator was installed, leaving a breakthrough in the ground floor vault. In the 1980s, there were plans to convert it into a cultural center, but the project was never realized, which allowed the building to retain its nearly original form. A complete renovation in 2024 saved the granary and transformed it from a ruin into a vibrant cultural hub with a café, gallery, and multifunctional hall, which today forms the heart of social life in Lázně Bělohrad.
The History of the Bělohrad Granary
The story of the Bělohrad granary began at the close of the 18th century. At that time, the land was ravaged by a great famine, which led to a decree mandating the construction of sturdy granaries to serve as secure grain reserves for lean years. This Neoclassical building became an integral part of the manorial estate and remains one of the most significant heritage sites of its kind, not only in the Hradec Králové Region but within the context of the entire Czech lands. As a valuable example of period architecture, it is listed on the Central Register of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic.
The granary is closely intertwined with the history of the entire chateau complex. The site of the current chateau was originally home to a wooden fortress called Koštofrank, which Jan Škopka of Bílé Otradovice later had rebuilt in stone. It is to these white walls that the town owes its name; the local subjects referred to the place as the "White Castle" – Bělohrad. At the beginning of the 18th century, Berthold Wilhelm von Waldstein had the old fortress completely rebuilt from its foundations into a grand Baroque chateau, giving the complex its present-day appearance.
The adjacent chateau park also plays a prominent role in the life of the town. In addition to the granary, the park features an Empire-style building—formerly a winter orangery—which has housed the K. V. Rais Memorial since 1959. Although the granary was used for the practical storage of grain by the local collective farm (JZD) during the post-war years, its historical and aesthetic value remained preserved. The chateau park, with the granary as its backdrop, has always been a natural centre for cultural life. It remains so today, hosting theatrical performances, concerts, and community events that keep the social heart of Lázně Bělohrad beating.
An Architectural Masterpiece
The Bělohrad Granary was originally constructed as a Neoclassical edifice whose rationality and sheer scale continue to command admiration to this day. Despite its purely utilitarian purpose, the exterior was designed with an extraordinary eye for detail. The facades are articulated by tall pilaster strips and crowned by a richly profiled main cornice, while the rounded corners lend the building the quintessential character of Baroque-Classical architecture. The original rhythm of the seven window bays—complete with stone surrounds and wrought-iron grilles—underscores a monumental presence that, in its dignity, far exceeds the standard for granaries of that era.
However, the true treasure lies within. The Bělohrad Granary is entirely unique within the Czech context due to its internal spatial arrangement. While most historical granaries featured vaulting only on the ground floor, this structure boasts a system of Neoclassical "Bohemian" sail vaults supported by massive pillars across two consecutive storeys. This lavish structural solution has no known local analogy, marking the building as a technical and architectural monument of the highest order. The atmospheric interior is further enhanced by an unusually grand staircase and a historical "inclined queen-post truss" (ležatá stolice), which survives in the attic as a lingering echo of the High Baroque.