Discover Senomaty: History, Cycling Route and Jesenicko

Senomaty Between River Landscape and History

Senomaty lies west of the town of Rakovník in the floodplain of the Rakovnický potok, which rises in the forests of Jesenicko. This location gives the town a distinct landscape setting: the river floodplain and the forested Jesenicko region are equally defining features. This creates a destination where local history and the natural environment meet within a closely connected thematic area.

Historical Traces in the Town

The earliest written mention of Senomaty dates from 1233. By 1319 at the latest, the town had acquired some town privileges. These two dates reach far back into the past and help place Senomaty's historical development in context, without disconnecting the town from its landscape.

The Gothic Church of St. Lawrence plays a special role. It was probably founded by the Teutonic Order; specific records about the church date from the first half of the 14th century. It acquired its present form through a renovation around the turn of the 20th century. This historical picture is complemented by the wooden bell tower, which is at least three hundred years old and already stood before 1620.

Smaller architectural and commemorative sites also deserve attention. Near the bridge over the Rakovnický potok stands a statue of St. Jude Thaddeus on a pedestal bearing the year 1722. On the road to Rakovník, a well-carved statue of St. Procopius stands on the right-hand side; its pedestal bears the year 1743. The timber-framed house at V Chaloupkách 66 dates from the mid-19th century and has been preserved as a protected cultural monument.

A group of memorial graves can be found in the Senomaty cemetery. The grave of the 19th-century Czech poet František Chládek, who came from Hředle, is also located there. Individual sites like these give the historical tour a personal dimension that goes beyond dates and architectural forms.

Hiking, Cycling and Jesenicko

The “Putování za duhou” tourist hike has been a tradition in Senomaty since 2007 and takes place in early May. For cycling orientation, marked Cycling Route No. 351 is important. It passes through Senomaty and runs from Rakovník via Jesenice and Rabštejn nad Střelou to Pšov. The section from Rakovník to Senomaty takes the form of an educational cycling trail with panels presenting information about nature.

In the village of Oráčov, 8 kilometres from Senomaty, Cycling Route 351 enters Jesenicko Nature Park. There, the landscape is shaped by preserved nature, ponds and numerous historic monuments. If you are looking for accommodation in Senomaty, you can therefore weigh your focus between the town's historical traces and planning a trip along this marked cycling route. Transport connections are provided by local and regional bus services as well as the Rakovník–Bečov nad Teplou railway line.

You can find other places in the same regional context here: Kalivody, Pochvalov, Roztoky, Třtice, Kounov, Lašovice, Srbeč and Hřebečníky.

For the broader travel overview: Rakovník District.