Rakovník

Sister cities

• Kościan
• Dietzenbach
• Weert
• Istra
• Kráľovský Chlmec

History

The first written mention of Rakovník is 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 surroundings of Křivoklát Castle. In the second half of the 16th century, the town was rapidly developing. Town walls with town gates were built, the Church of Holy Trinity with a cemetery was established, and the beer brewing prospered and became known in whole kingdom. In the 17th century, the town suffered from Thirty Years' War, plague and floods, which depopulated the town. 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 surrounding towns. A grammar school was opened in 1833, where the writer Zikmund Winter used to teach in 1874–1884. Until 1918, the town was part of Austria-Hungary. With the 20th century the development of social and cultural life increased dramatically. Masaryk's Business Academy, gymnasium and hospital were also built. During the two world wars there were no actual fighting in Rakovník itself but a lot of people died in concentration camps. The most affected were Jewish families. In 1950, Rakovník became a district town. A lot of people moved to the town when Rakovník got over the crises of the wars.

Geography

Rakovník is located about west of Prague and northeast of Plzeň. It lies in the Rakovník Uplands, on the border of the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area. The highest point is at above sea level. The stream Rakovnický potok flows through the town.