Rakovník (, ) is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 16,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an urban monument zone.
Administrative division
thumb|160px|Town hall
Rakovník consists of two municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):
- Rakovník I (871)
- Rakovník II (14,502)
Etymology
According to legend, the name was derived from rak (meaning 'crayfish'), which was eaten here during a famine. Therefore this animal was adopted on the town's coat of arms and flag. However, the name was more likely derived from type of vegetation in wetlands by a stream, which gave the name to the stream and later to the town.
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.
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.
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.
Demographics
Economy
The Rakovník Brewery was founded in 1454. It is one of the oldest breweries in the country. The beers are marketed under the brand Bakalář.
In 1875, Otta's soap factory was opened. It was later called "Rakona" and is today owned by Procter & Gamble.
In 1883, a ceramic factory was established, known as Rakovnické keramické závody (Rakovník Ceramic Plants). Today the brand is owned by Lasselsberger and it is the biggest producer of sanitary ware in the country.
The area near Rakovník was known for shale mining. Mining started in 1919 and ceased in 2018. The reason for the cessation of mining was primarily the obsolescence of technologies that did not meet legislative requirements, which made further mining unprofitable. However, an estimated 12 million tonnes of shale remained underground.
Transport
Rakovník is the terminus and start of railway lines heading from Prague, Kladno, Beroun, Osek, Žlutice, Bečov nad Teplou and Blatno.
Sights
thumb|Church of Saint Bartholomew
The historical core of the town is the 400 metre-long Husovo Square, which is the second longest square in the Czech Republic. On the square is located the 16th-century town hall with a late Baroque façade. The interior of the town hall is decorated with a ceiling fresco depicting the town of Rakovník as it was 250 years ago.
The eastern part of the square is dominated by the high Gothic Deaconal Church of St. Bartholomew, a 14th-century structure. 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. It is considered as the most precious gothic bell tower in the Czech Republic and one of the most precious in Europe. The bell has a diameter of 1.6 metres.
- Dietzenbach, Germany
- Kościan, Poland
- Kráľovský Chlmec, Slovakia