town hall in Rakovník

Rakovník Town Hall is a Baroque building crowned by a clock tower, standing along the western row of Husovo náměstí, the main square at the heart of the historic town center. For centuries it has served as the seat of the town government and remains one of Rakovník's most recognizable landmarks, protected as a cultural monument.

Where does the town hall stand?

The building sits on Husovo náměstí, the long main square that forms the core of Rakovník's historic center. The town hall occupies part of the western side of the square, and together with its clock tower it creates one of the most distinctive views in town. The building still houses the municipal administration, while part of its interior is given over to an exhibition of the Rabas Gallery.

What did the town hall look like at first?

Rakovník's original town hall was not on the present site at all. From 1444 it was housed in the so-called Herdynko's house in Zákostelí, near the Church of St. Bartholomew. It wasn't until 1515 that master builder Jan erected a stand-alone town hall on the current plot, and a tower with a clock was added afterward by master Souček. That earlier, Renaissance-era building survived for generations, though not without hardship.

How badly was it damaged during the Thirty Years' War?

The Thirty Years' War proved especially harsh for the town hall. The building was plundered and damaged repeatedly — by imperial troops in 1631, by Saxon forces in 1634, and by Swedish troops in 1639. Each time, the town rebuilt it, but the structure ultimately could not survive what came next: a devastating fire in 1733 destroyed the earlier Renaissance town hall almost completely.

Where did the current Baroque building come from?

Following the 1733 fire, the town decided to build an entirely new seat of government. The Baroque town hall seen today was constructed between 1734 and 1738. The new building again received a clock tower, this time 39 meters tall, built by master builder Tomáš Horák. Its characteristic onion-shaped dome, however, was only added later, in 1801, giving the tower the silhouette familiar to residents and visitors today.

What can be seen inside the building?

The interior preserves decorative work that has survived for nearly three centuries. Vaulted ceilings on the ground floor and above the staircase were decorated around 1755 with paintings and elaborate stucco work. This decoration counts among the building's most valuable features and reflects the importance placed on the town hall during its post-fire reconstruction.

What role does the town hall play today?

Today the building continues to serve as the seat of Rakovník's municipal administration, combining its administrative role with its status as a monument open to visitors. Part of the interior houses an exhibition of the Rabas Gallery, letting visitors pair a walk across the historic square with an art exhibit inside the town hall itself. The building remains protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, ensuring its historic fabric is preserved.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Rakovník's town hall located? It stands on Husovo náměstí, the main square in the historic town center, along its western side.

When was the current town hall built? The present Baroque building was constructed between 1734 and 1738, after the earlier Renaissance town hall burned down in a fire in 1733.

How tall is the town hall's tower? The clock tower is 39 meters tall, built by master builder Tomáš Horák; its distinctive onion dome dates from 1801.

What can visitors see inside? Notable features include the vaulted ceilings on the ground floor and above the staircase, decorated with paintings and stucco work from around 1755, as well as an exhibition of the Rabas Gallery.

What role did the town hall play historically? The first town hall existed from 1444 at a different location in town; a stand-alone building on the current site was erected in 1515, and it was damaged repeatedly during the Thirty Years' War.