- summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2) Area 18.5 km² Team SK Rakovník | Elevation 322 m Local time Friday 12:24 AM | |
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Weather 6°C, Wind N at 8 km/h, 91% Humidity Points of interest Muzeum T G M Rakovník, Vysoká brána, Pražská brána, Velká zvonice, Tankodrom | ||
Rakovník ( [ˈrakovɲiːk], German: Rakonitz) is a town in the western part of the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic located between the cities of Prague and Plzeň. It is located in varying landscape and the huge forest of Křivoklát. The location of the town influenced and still influences the way of life of the inhabitants. It has a population of approximately 16,000.
Contents
Map of Rakovnik, Czechia
History
The first evidence of the settlement of the town is known from 1252. Křivoklát was the administrative centre at this time. Rakovník was a market village which together with other villages lies in and adds to the beautiful surroundings of Křivoklát castle. A great development of the town was fulfilled in the 19th century. It was the beginning of independent offices, new houses and a time when new streets were built. Some new roads were built and old roads repaired and Rakovník was connected to the surroundings towns. A grammar school was opened in 1833, where Zikmund Winter, a well-known writer used to teach in 1874 – 1884. In 1875 Otta´s soap factory was opened. It was later called “Rakona” and today it is “Procter & Gamble.” In 1883 a ceramic factory was established, now it is “Rakovník´s ceramic establishment.” Until 1918, RAKOVNIK - RAKONITZ was part of the Austrian monarchy (Austria side after the compromise of 1867), in the district of the same name, one of the 94 Bezirkshauptmannschaften in Bohemia.
Trade and business
The Rakovník Brewery was founded in 1454. It is one of the oldest breweries in the Czech Republic. The beers are marketed under the brand Bakalář.
Monuments
The main feature of Rakovník’s urban monument zone, located in the centre of the town, is the 400 metre-long Husovo Square, where you will find a 16th-century town hall with a late Baroque façade. Inside, you will discover a ceiling fresco depicting the town of Rakovník as it looked 250 years ago.The eastern part of the square is dominated by the high Gothic Decanal Church of St. Bartholomew, a 14th-century structure with a splendidly decorated interior. The church was built on the site of an older church dedicated to St. Nicholas. Adjacent to the church stands a bell tower dating from 1495. With a diameter of 1.6 metres, its main bell is one of the largest in the Czech Lands.
Twin towns – Sister cities
Rakovník is twinned with: