The royal town Rakovník is situated 56km to the west of Prague. The original market settlement, first mentioned in 1252, belonged to the castle Křivoklát. The settlement received the privileges of a town from Wenceslas II in 1286, and obtained the title of royal town from emperor Rudolph II in 1588.
The history of Rakovník is very rich therefore you can find many sightseeings and monuments here. For example, you can visit a 16th century town hall with a late Baroque façade, the Gothic Church of St.Bartholomew with the Bell Tower from the 14th century, well-preserved burgeois houses in Husovo Square or the unigue synagogue. You can be attracted by the remains of the original town fortification system with two well-preserved gates – Prague Gate dating from 1516-1517 and High Gate dating from 1518-1524 which is now served as a view-tower. On the south-western part of the town there is the Gothic Church of St Giles featuring a painting depicting a saint of the same name.
Guests can taste beer Bakalář which has been brewed up in Rakovník since 1454. If you are looking for an entertainment than visit Tylۥs Theatre or a cinema, both of them located in one building. During the summer, the cinema is moved to open air which is not far from Tylۥs Theatre. There also some concerts take place. Rabas Gallery belongs to one of the most important centers of culture in Middle Bohemian Region.
Those, who love nature will be pleased to make a trip to the outskirts of Rakovník because it is surrounded with the largest forest area in Middle Bohemian Region – The Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape – designated as a part of the UNESCO biospheric reserve. Beautiful landscape tempts to walks as well as to cycling. River Berounka – famous for fishing and boating, runs through the middle of the area.
