The city is situated in the centre of a very fertile region called the "Golden Road", at the confluence of the Elbe and the Orlice, and contains many buildings of historical and architectural interest. The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit was founded in 1303 by Elizabeth, and the church of St. John, built in 1710, stands on the ruins of the old castle. During the 1920s and 1930s the city grew rapidly, thanks to decisions made by the heads of the city to develop a modern city, which included razing the fortress and opening the town for expansion. During this era many buildings of modern architecture were built, and Hradec Králové became known as the "Salon of the Republic". This nickname was given to the city by its citizens, who were enamored by the architecture of Josef Gočár and Jan Kotěra.