Říčany

Říčany is a town of roughly 17,000 people in the Prague-East District of the Central Bohemian Region, sitting right on the boundary between the Prague Plateau and the Benešov Uplands. The Říčanský stream runs through town, and with the Czech capital only a short trip away, Říčany is a popular target for a half-day excursion from Prague.

What are the main sights in Říčany?

The town's headline historic sight is the ruined Říčany castle, built shortly after 1260 by Ondřej ze Všechrom. The stronghold is first documented in 1289, and its builder became the founder of the lords of Říčany, a noble line that shaped the region for generations afterward. The ruins have been protected as a cultural monument since 1966, underlining their significance among the medieval fortifications of the Prague Plateau.

The Říčany Museum fills in the historical background, focusing on the noble families tied to the town and on the castle itself. The museum runs an active education program, with interactive exhibitions, workshops, and lectures aimed at both school groups and independent visitors — a natural stop before or after walking up to the castle ruins.

Where to eat and drink locally?

Just off the main square, on Olivova street, the Říčanský Brewery opened in January 2018 together with its own restaurant. It produces both top- and bottom-fermented beers, unfiltered and unpasteurized, making it a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in Czech craft brewing rather than just the town's medieval past.

How should you plan a visit?

The main square is the natural starting point, within easy reach of both the museum and the brewery on Olivova street. Because the castle ruins are a protected heritage site, they're best explored at a relaxed pace, ideally paired with a museum visit that supplies context the ruins alone don't offer. Given how close Říčany sits to Prague, it works well either as an afternoon trip on its own or as a stop on the way to other towns in the Prague-East district.

The town's position straddling the Prague Plateau and the Benešov Uplands also means the surrounding terrain is varied, which suits visitors who want to combine sightseeing with a short walk through the landscape beyond the town center.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main attraction in Říčany? The ruins of the medieval Říčany castle, built shortly after 1260 by Ondřej ze Všechrom and protected as a cultural monument since 1966.

Is there a museum in Říčany? Yes. The Říčany Museum covers the history of the region's noble families and the castle itself, with interactive exhibitions, workshops, and lectures.

Can you get a locally brewed beer in town? Yes, the Říčanský Brewery on Olivova street has served both top- and bottom-fermented, unfiltered and unpasteurized beers with a restaurant since it opened in January 2018.

Where exactly is Říčany located? In the Prague-East District of the Central Bohemian Region, on the boundary between the Prague Plateau and the Benešov Uplands, along the Říčanský stream.