Church of Saint Giles in Rakovník

The Church of Saint Giles in Rakovník (Czech: Kostel svatého Jiljí) is a Gothic church standing on the western edge of the town, in the former suburb known as Karlov or Svatojilský. It lies roughly 1.2 km from Rakovník's historic centre, on a gentle slope rising above Dukelských hrdinů street, surrounded by an old, long-disused cemetery with an irregular, roughly trapezoidal outline.

Where is the church located, and what surrounds it?

The building stands outside the old town core, on ground that likely corresponds to one of the original settlements from which Rakovník later grew. Around it spreads an abandoned cemetery that has not been used for a long time; its boundaries form an irregular shape close to a trapezoid. The terrain slopes gently upward from Dukelských hrdinů street, making the church visible from some distance away.

What is the history behind the building?

The oldest surviving part of the church is likely an early Gothic chapel, which today forms the presbytery. In 1487 the chapel was enlarged with the addition of a nave, turning the small structure into a full Gothic church. The expansion was funded by a bequest from a miller named Vacek, and the work itself was carried out by his ward, Jiřík.

What happened to the church during the fighting of 1620?

The church suffered serious damage during clashes fought in the area between the army of Frederick of the Palatinate and Imperial forces. The fighting took place between 27 October and 5 November 1620. Imperial troops used the adjoining cemetery and the burned-out church building as a base for their artillery. The damage was severe enough that the church was not repaired until 1660.

What is the church's status today?

The Church of Saint Giles is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Today the building is used for worship by the Orthodox Church, which rents it from the Roman Catholic Church, the building's formal owner.

Frequently asked questions

How far is the church from the centre of Rakovník? The church stands on the western edge of town, about 1.2 km from the historic centre, in the former suburb known as Karlov or Svatojilský.

Which part of the church is the oldest? The oldest surviving section is the presbytery, originally built as an early Gothic chapel before a nave was added in 1487.

Who financed the 15th-century expansion of the church? The expansion was paid for from a bequest left by the miller Vacek, with the work carried out by his ward, Jiřík.

Why was the church damaged in the 17th century? During fighting near Rakovník in 1620 between the army of Frederick of the Palatinate and Imperial forces, Imperial troops used the burned church and the neighbouring cemetery as an artillery position. The building was not repaired until 1660.

Who uses the church today? The church is used by the Orthodox Church, which rents the building from the Roman Catholic Church. It is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Is there a cemetery next to the church? Yes, the church is surrounded by an old cemetery with an irregular, roughly trapezoidal shape that has been out of use for a long time.