Městečko: Valley, Baroque Church and Regional History

Městečko lies in the valley of the Rakovnický potok, a place whose character is shaped by its landscape, church architecture and local history. The church of sv. Jakuba Většího, with its original Gothic form, its Baroque transformation in the 18th century, a bell dating from 1497 and an important example of regional folk architecture, provides tangible points of reference for the town’s history. Parts of the Křivoklátsko forests also lie within the municipality. Městečko thus combines local discoveries with a clearly identifiable landscape in the wider travel region.

Valley, Forests and Cycling Routes

The Rakovnický potok provides the immediate landscape setting: Městečko lies in its valley. Parts of the Křivoklátsko forests north of the town are within the municipality, extending as far as the upper part of the Klíčava Reservoir. The valley and the wider forest landscape are therefore both part of the area. When choosing accommodation, you can consider whether Městečko itself or the broader landscape of Křivoklátsko will shape your stay more.

Křivoklátsko offers a broader natural setting as a wider travel region. Deciduous forests characterize this landscape in the heart of Bohemia; rocky slopes with ravine forests and rare yew trees line the Berounka and its tributaries in deep valleys. Heat-loving steppe plants grow on treeless hilltops known as pleše, where corresponding animal species also live. The region is distinguished by an exceptional diversity of tree, plant and animal species. These regional landscapes complement Městečko’s immediate valley and forest setting with a perspective of their own.

Cycling is also a practical way to explore the area. The established cycling route No. 303, Hořovice–Rakovník, and route No. 0048, Kobylí hlava–Městečko, pass through the municipality. Their names and numbers give you specific reference points for planning your routes. Cycling can thus be considered as a focus in its own right, alongside the local history and natural attractions of Křivoklátsko.

Church and Architectural History

The church of sv. Jakuba Většího is one of Městečko’s notable cultural and historical landmarks. In the 1730s, it was transformed from its original Gothic form into a Baroque building. The change from its Gothic origins to its Baroque design makes the different phases of its history visible. The church and the grounds of its enclosed precinct are protected as a heritage site.

The older bell of sv. Vojtěch is also part of the history of the local church. Jan Konwarz cast it in 1497. The bell’s name and its recorded year of manufacture give this part of the town’s history a specific historical reference. Together with the church’s transformation in the 1730s, it shows how different periods come together in the area’s local cultural heritage.

Folk Architecture and Literary Traces

Another example of regional architecture is the timber-framed granary on the farmstead near house No. 2 on Ohnicova náves in Městečko. It is an important example of folk architecture in Křivoklátsko. Its wooden section was lost between 2002 and 2005. The granary’s history can therefore also be understood as the changing story of a traditional building.

A literary trace leads to Šimon Šíp, the village’s last holder of the Ohnivec service tenure. Alois Jirásek portrayed him in his novel Mezi proudy. Alongside the history of the church and local architecture, this brings into view a figure from the town’s history who appears in a literary work.

Memorials and Practical Information

Seven Czechoslovak paratroopers parachuted into Požáry in March 1942. A monument at the edge of the forest in Jedličky, near the settlement of Požáry, commemorates the wartime events near Městečko. This historical reference adds an event from the 20th century to the town’s older stories and locates it in the surrounding area.

Městečko u Křivoklátu railway station is part of the integrated transport system. Check current ticket conditions and accessibility before travelling. The historic railway station building is also a feature of the town.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Cista U Rakovnika, Všesulov, Pustověty, Pochvalov, Třeboc, Nesuchyně, Třtice, Lubná.

For the wider travel overview: Okres Rakovník.