Senomaty: History and Cultural Monuments

Senomaty brings together local history, cultural monuments and cycling opportunities, offering a range of starting points for planning a trip. If you are looking for a hotel in Senomaty, you can plan your stay around the themes that interest you: historic buildings and memorial sites, the “Putování za duhou” walking event, or the signposted cycle route 351. For specific travel dates, check the event date for the relevant year and the latest bus and train timetables.

Landscape and regional connections

Senomaty lies west of the town of Rakovník, in the floodplain of the Rakovnický potok, which rises in the forests of the Jesenicko region. The town’s location in the floodplain and the stream’s source in the forests of the Jesenicko therefore represent distinct aspects of the landscape.

Oráčov is eight kilometres from Senomaty. Cycle route 351 passes through the Jesenicko Nature Park, a landscape of unspoilt nature, ponds and numerous historic monuments. This regional connection adds another perspective on the Jesenicko to Senomaty’s local history.

Local history and cultural monuments

The earliest written mention of Senomaty dates from 1233. The settlement had acquired some town privileges by 1319 at the latest. The Church of St Lawrence adds another early layer of history: specific records of it date from the first half of the 14th century. The Gothic church was probably founded by the Teutonic Order; it acquired its present appearance through a renovation around the turn of the 20th century.

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. The wooden bell tower is at least three hundred years old and was already standing before 1620. The timber-framed house at 66 V Chaloupkách Street dates from the mid-19th century and is a protected cultural monument.

Two statues add to the historic landmarks in the town. Near the bridge over the Rakovnický potok stands a statue of Saint Jude Thaddeus on a pedestal dated 1722. On the road to Rakovník, on the right-hand side, is a finely carved statue of Saint Procopius; its pedestal is dated 1743. Their locations and the dates on their pedestals distinguish the two monuments.

Walking, cycling and getting there

The “Putování za duhou” walking event has been a tradition in Senomaty since 2007 and takes place in early May. If you would like to combine your trip with the walk, check the specific event date for the relevant year.

Signposted cycle route No. 351 passes through Senomaty and runs from Rakovník via Jesenice and Rabštejn nad Střelou to Pšov. The section from Rakovník to Senomaty is a cycling educational trail with nature information panels. This provides both the longer route and a specific section with its own educational-trail character to help you plan your ride. Check the current condition of the panels before setting out.

Senomaty is served by local and regional bus routes as well as the Rakovník–Bečov nad Teplou railway line. For your travel dates, it is best to check the latest timetables for your chosen connection.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Roztoky, Přerubenice, Šanov, Hřebečníky, Městečko, Kolešov, Nesuchyně, Hracholusky.

For the overview of the wider area, see: Rakovník District.