Discover Rakovice: Castle Park, Monuments and the Alšova Trail

Rakovice between Castle Park and Protected Landscape

Rakovice combines the history of its castle, distinctive small monuments and a landscape with its own cultural and historical character. The castle complex lies in the western part of the municipality. The buildings of Rakovice Castle are located in a park, giving the village a clear historic centre. After the Rakovice estate was acquired in 1714, the castle temporarily became the seat of the estate administration. For orientation, this is a place where castle architecture, parkland and local history come together.

In the surroundings of the castle and farmyard, the ÄŒimelicko-Rakovicko Landscape Heritage Zone protects the cultural and historical, landscape-aesthetic and spatial values of the area. As a result, architectural heritage and landscape are directly connected in Rakovice. Visitors exploring the village can experience the castle area, park and surrounding landscape features as an interconnected part of regional history.

Cultural Monuments with Their Own Architectural Language

On the road from Rakovice to Mirotice stands the Vintíř Monument. It is protected as a cultural monument and consists of a stone sculpture in the form of a tall triangular pyramid. Another protected structure is the Rakovice granary. Both examples show that local cultural history is not limited to the castle complex.

Several smaller religious structures also shape the appearance of the village and landscape. A chapel classified as a cultural monument stands by Slavkovická hora. Near the road from Rakovice towards Pohoří is a niche chapel beneath the trees; it is an important feature shaping the landscape. A niche chapel in Rakovice with a triangular gable and rich profiling was built in the 19th century. A chapel with Baroque elements dates from the second half of the 18th century and is also an important feature shaping the landscape. A niche chapel with Baroque architectural features was built around the middle of the 18th century and contains fragments of wall paintings. The different forms and periods make visiting the village varied, as the small structures bring together architecture, landscape and regional memory.

The historic surroundings also include a mill located in the cadastral area of the neighbouring municipality of Rakovice. The German surrender was signed there on 12 May 1945. This event adds a specific connection to more recent history to the picture of Rakovice.

Hiking and the Alšova Trail

The area around Rakovice is suitable for hiking tourism. One marked option is the Alšova Trail: the 12 km-long route is suitable for hikers and mountain bikers. Its length provides a clear basis when choosing an active excursion and deciding between hiking and a mountain-bike tour.

The marked Alšova Trail passes through the Rakovice section. In this part of the route, the former castle and an avenue of ancient red oaks are among the sights. The avenue leads from Rakovice to the castle park in Čimelice, creating a distinctive landscape feature of its own. The route thus combines physical activity with historical points of interest and the changing scenery of the village, tree-lined avenue and parkland.

Other Places for Orientation

For further research, you can also look at Božetice, Pisek, Oslov, Orlik Nad Vltavou, Cervena, Skály, Protivin and Květov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Písek.