Říčany is a charming town of about 17,000 inhabitants in the Prague-East District of the Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic, roughly 10 km east of Prague. It sits on the edge of the Prague Plateau and Benešov Uplands along the Říčanský Brook, which feeds several ponds. First reliably documented in 1289 (with legendary roots possibly dating to the 8th century), the town grew around a medieval castle built to protect trade routes for salt caravans to Prague and the road to the Sázava Monastery. It suffered during the Hussite Wars and Thirty Years’ War but revived dramatically after the 1869 Prague–Benešov railway opened, transforming it into a popular “sun spa” recreational area with villas, sports facilities, and healthy air—ideal for Prague day-trippers and commuters. Today it ranks as one of the best places to live in the Czech Republic thanks to its green surroundings, transport links (including the D1 motorway), and high quality of life.
Říčany Castle Ruins (Zřícenina hradu Řícany)
The most iconic
landmark is the freely accessible ruins of this early Gothic stone
castle, one of the oldest and most significant examples of
13th-century Czech aristocratic architecture. Built around 1260–1270
on a promontory above the (now partly defunct) Mlýnský and Lázeňský
ponds by Ondřej of Všechry—a loyal chamberlain and butler to King
Přemysl Otakar II—it served as a representative seat modeled on
royal castles. The family (later using the surname Říčany) held high
offices for nearly a century. The oval-shaped fortress featured a
massive two-storey palace with thick rubble-stone walls, a
free-standing donjon (keep) with 2.7 m thick walls, a moat,
ramparts, and defensive ponds. The main hall had cross-vaulting,
Gothic compound windows with stone seats, a fireplace, and even a
bay-window toilet. Excavations in 2000 uncovered over 6,000
artifacts.
The castle peaked in the 14th century but was besieged
and captured by Hussite forces under Jan Žižka in November 1420
after a short starvation siege (11 Catholic priests sheltered inside
were burned). It never recovered; owners changed hands, it was
abandoned by 1544, and locals quarried its stone (including slate
from the promontory) for town buildings until the mid-19th century.
A 1419 treasure hoard of silver coins hidden during the unrest was
discovered in the 1990s and is now displayed in the local museum.
Today, preserved elements include nearly the full courtyard façade
and cross-wall of the palace (almost full height), part of the
donjon corner, lower palace wall, and the central courtyard well.
The rare early-Gothic square layout remains protected. The ruins sit
right in the town center, offering atmospheric views and a tangible
link to Přemyslid-era Bohemia.
Masarykovo náměstí (Masaryk
Square) and Its Features
The lively historic heart of Říčany
centers on this preserved medieval square, whose ground plan dates
to the castle era and remains largely unchanged. It hosts several
key monuments.
Church of Saints Peter and Paul (Kostel sv.
Petra a Pavla)
Dominating the square, this church originated as a
Gothic structure built around 1260–1280 alongside the castle. It was
enlarged in the Renaissance (ridge vaults in the presbytery and side
oratories), nearly destroyed in the Thirty Years’ War, rebuilt in
High Baroque style in 1719 under Maria Theresa of Savoy, and given
its current neoclassical appearance in 1900. Gothic survivals
include a pointed window on the southern wall, the ground-floor
former tower with cross-vaulting, frescoes c. 1400, and an
inconspicuous chapel. The interior features a late-Baroque altar,
1725 pulpit, late-18th-century Adam and Eve relief, and three
ancient tombstones. Bells from 1628–1629 still ring. Behind it stand
a Baroque sandstone statue of St. John of Nepomuk (1759) and a 1937
pseudo-Baroque statue of St. Wenceslas.
Marian Column
Erected in 1699 on the square, this is the second-oldest Marian
column in Bohemia (a simplified miniature of the 1652 Prague Old
Town Square original, later destroyed). It features a gilded statue
of the Immaculata (Virgin Mary with clasped hands, halo of stars,
standing on a globe with a serpent and apple) atop a stone plinth
with railing—likely erected in thanks for averting plague or war.
Old Town Hall (Stará radnice)
Mentioned as early as 1565 and
rebuilt multiple times, the current two-storey representative
building dates to 1864 when Říčany became a district seat. It housed
the court, tax office, and administration. The eastern wall bears a
monument to the fallen in both world wars with a sandstone relief by
Břetislav Benda. An unusual historic clock once had interchangeable
hands. The site recalls medieval “throat law” executions.
Other Historical Landmarks
Toll House (U Čechů) — The oldest
preserved building (1706), at No. 44 on 17. listopadu Street; it
collected fees on ancient trade routes and has been recently
renovated.
Říčany Museum — Founded in 1908 in a dedicated villa;
focuses on local history with temporary exhibitions, educational
programs for families and schools, and a collection of 24,000 items
(no permanent display due to space).
Railway Station — Rebuilt as
a two-storey structure in 1894 (original 1874); the 1869 line’s
arrival sparked the town’s recreational boom, with up to 20 daily
trains pre-WWII.
Landmarks in Surrounding Parts and
Recreational Sites
At the Memorial Lime Tree (U památné lípy) in
Radošovice (part of Říčany since the early 20th century): A
picturesque preserved village square 3.5 km southwest with a 1872
cast-iron cross on sandstone and an old chapel with bell. Nearby is
a WWI monument with a T.G. Masaryk plaque (1921).
Church of St.
Wenceslas in Jažlovice (another municipal part): One of Bohemia’s
oldest churches, originating as a 13th-century Romanesque rotunda
(horseshoe apse and cylindrical tower) later Baroqueised and
enlarged in 1854. Recent discoveries include early-15th-century
Gothic frescoes.
Jureček Swimming Pool / Lido (Koupaliště
Jureček): A beloved historic natural pond lido established in the
1920s–1930s near the forest, with wooden cabanas, an inn, and
old-world charm reminiscent of First Republic films. Revitalized in
2008, it remains a popular untreated swimming spot with restaurant,
playground, and summer events—embodying Říčany’s recreational
heritage.
Most Common Ways to Get There (Assuming Starting from Prague)
The
train is by far the easiest, fastest, and most reliable option for most
visitors.
By Train (Recommended)
Trains run frequently on the
S9 line (part of the Prague integrated transport system PID).
Main
departure station in Prague: Praha hlavní nádraží (Prague Main Station)
or sometimes other stations like Praha-Vršovice.
Direct trains to
Říčany station (right in the town center).
Journey time: ≈ 27
minutes.
Frequency: Every 10–30 minutes most of the day.
Ticket
price: Around 54–58 Kč one-way (full price; cheaper with discounts or
Lítačka app).
You can buy tickets at machines, the ČD app/website
(cd.cz), or use the PID Lítačka system. Some faster regional trains (R49
"Sázava") also stop there on certain days.
By Bus
Several
regional bus lines (e.g., 385, 136 + 385 combo) connect Prague (often
from metro stations like Háje or Opatov on line C) to Říčany.
Journey
takes longer (usually 40–60+ min depending on traffic and route).
Use
the same PID tickets as for trains/metro/trams.
By Car / Driving
Distance: ≈ 23–26 km.
Take the D1 motorway southeast (direction Brno)
or local roads.
Travel time: 20–30 minutes without heavy traffic.
Parking is available in town, but public transport is usually easier if
you're coming from central Prague.
If Arriving by Air
Nearest
airport: Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) — about 40–50 km away.
Best route: Airport → Prague city (by bus 59 + train, or Airport Express
+ train) → then train to Říčany. Total time ≈ 1.5–2 hours.
Getting Around Říčany Itself
The town is compact — the main train
station is central, and most places are within a 15–45 minute walk.
There are also local minibuses (free on workdays in some cases) and
cycling paths.
For real-time schedules, check:
cd.cz or the IDOS
app (for trains/buses)
pid.cz or Lítačka app (Prague integrated
transport)
Prehistory, Early Settlement, and Legend (Pre-13th Century)
The area’s gently undulating, wooded, agricultural landscape
attracted early settlers. Celts and Germanic tribes left traces,
followed by Slavic settlement from the 6th century, positioning
Říčany on the border of the original Bohemian tribe’s principality.
No contemporary written records survive from these early centuries;
any documents were likely lost when the town was razed during the
Thirty Years’ War.
A legendary (and historically unsubstantiated)
reference appears in Václav Hájek z Libočan’s Czech Chronicle
(1541). It describes a bloody “battle for the court of Říčany” in
748 between Prince Rozhoň of Kouřim and Přemyslid Prince Nezamysl of
Vyšehrad over boundary disputes. Nezamysl won, took 50 prisoners,
and—before freeing them—ordered Rozhoň’s nose cut off with a sickle
as a warning. He then granted Říčany to a loyal governor. Historians
like František Palacký dismiss Hájek’s accounts as inventive fables,
unsupported by evidence.
Foundation and Peak Under the Lords
of Říčany (Second Half of the 13th–14th Century)
In the second
half of the 13th century (c. 1260–1270), during the era of the last
Přemyslids, the Lords of Všechromy (later styled Lords of Říčany)
founded the castle on a defensible promontory above the stream and
ponds. The builder was likely Petr of Všechromy (or his successor
Ondřej), a high court official—cupbearer and supreme chamberlain to
King Přemysl Otakar II. The castle served to protect the vital
Prague–Kouřim trade route (including salt caravans) and the newly
royal town of Kouřim. Simultaneously or shortly after, a settlement
(the future town) and the Church of St. Peter and Paul emerged in
the castle’s forefield.
The first trustworthy written mention of
the settlement dates to 1289: a complaint by Prague Bishop Tobiáš of
Bechyně against “Ondřej of Říčany” (likely the same noble) for
plundering Liblice near Český Brod. By the early 14th century,
grandson Oldřich of Říčany served as the highest provincial judge
(1309–1325), placing the family at the pinnacle of Bohemian
politics. They remained loyal supporters of Czech kings (including
after the Luxembourg dynasty) and held high offices like
chamberlains (royal treasury administrators). The family owned
nearby estates (Velké Popovice, Kunice, Průhonice, Čestlice,
Křížkový Újezdec, Jirčany, Tehov) and branched out across Bohemia.
Their coat of arms featured three silver water-lily leaves on a red
field (likely referencing the defensive ponds).
Říčany Castle was
architecturally significant—one of the earliest robust Gothic stone
castles in Bohemia, modeled on advanced Saxon-Hessian designs
(donjon integrated into walls, with palace and other buildings). It
featured thick rubble-stone walls, a two-storey palace with
cross-vaulted halls, narrow windows, fireplaces, and a well; an oval
layout protected by cliffs, moats, ramparts, and ponds. It
functioned as an administrative center and refuge for craftsmen and
peasants. In the 14th century, Říčany held market rights and was the
largest settlement in the area.
Hussite Wars and Decline of
the Lords (1420 Onward)
The prosperous period ended with the
Hussite Wars. In 1415, Catholic owner Diviš of Říčany signed an
appeal for Jan Hus’s release but remained loyal to Emperor
Sigismund. After the 1419 Prague Defenestration, he hosted
Sigismund’s troops. In November 1420, Jan Žižka’s forces besieged
the castle for under two weeks, starving the garrison (no direct
assault needed). Diviš, his family, and crew were captured; 11
Catholic priests sheltered there were burned nearby on Žižka’s
orders. The castle was occupied by Hussites (later Prague citizens)
until 1485. The Lords of Říčany were expelled and never returned to
their ancestral seat; the family branches survived elsewhere until
the early 19th century. Locals gradually dismantled the castle for
building stone (including the slate promontory), reducing it to
ruins by the 16th century. Church estates were redistributed.
Late 15th–16th Century: New Owners and Town Privileges
By the
late 15th century, the estate (including the ruined castle, town,
manor farm, and villages like Radošovice, Přestavlky, Nesvačily,
extinct Předčice, Otice, and Zděbrady) passed to the powerful Trčka
family of Lípa (valued at 4,000 kopecks). They resided elsewhere,
accelerating the castle’s decay.
In 1572, Jaroslav Smiřický of
Smiřice (court marshal and steward to Ferdinand I) purchased it.
Under his patronage, Emperor Maximilian II granted a pivotal charter
on 3 September 1575, elevating Říčany’s legal status: it received a
seal, coat of arms, and rights to two annual fairs. By then, the
town had 41 serf houses, a bathhouse, forge, municipal mill,
hospital, functional brewery (major income source), malt house,
distillery, and even its own executioner (rare “right of throat”
privilege). A parish church with repaired rectory underscored its
prosperity despite the ruined castle. Compared to nearby Radošovice
(only 5 serf plots), Říčany flourished as a small but vibrant market
town.
Thirty Years’ War and Near-Total Destruction
(1618–1651)
The Smiřický family’s Protestant involvement in the
1618–1621 Estates’ Revolt and Battle of White Mountain (1620) led to
confiscations. The fertile Říčany countryside—Prague’s
“breadbasket”—suffered Swedish raids in 1645 and especially 1648,
which razed the town. Estates passed via Albrecht of Wallenstein to
Charles of Liechtenstein. Contemporary accounts (e.g., Merian’s
Topographia Bohemiae, 1650) lamented that “nobody knows where Říčany
actually was.” By 1651, only 20 adult inhabitants remained in Říčany
(and one landowner in Radošovice). Recovery took over a century.
Slow Recovery Under the Liechtensteins (Late 17th–18th Century)
The town council was restored around 1668. In 1671, a new town hall
with prison was built (site of today’s Old Town Hall). The 1699
Marian Column on the square (modeled on Prague’s Old Town Square)
thanked the Virgin Mary for sparing the town from plague. The parish
rectory was rebuilt by 1707, when the population reached about 250.
Marie Therese of Savoy (great-granddaughter of Charles of
Liechtenstein) oversaw a 60-year revival (1712–1772). She funded
Baroque reconstruction of the Church of St. Peter and Paul and a new
two-storey rectory. A new two-storey town hall rose in 1736. On 4
April 1748, Empress Maria Theresa confirmed the 1575 privileges.
18th-century wars passed without catastrophe. The castle remained a
ruin (“old manor castle… only stone quarries,” per 1785 records).
19th Century: Administrative Reforms, Railway Boom, and
Modernization
Napoleonic Wars saw Russian troops pass through
twice. By 1843, there were 135 houses and 1,009 inhabitants. A new
two-storey school was built (photographed early on); the church
cemetery closed, with a new one established (later site of today’s
Park por. Koreše/Olive Street until the 1950s). A poorhouse (founded
1830) served into the post-WWII era. Until 1850, Říčany remained a
serf town of the Uhříněves estate.
In 1855, it became a political
and judicial district seat for 90 municipalities; new district
office and court buildings (today’s Old Town Hall with tower) were
erected. It later shifted to Český Brod and then Žižkov districts.
The second half of the century brought economic and cultural growth:
District Economic Association (1870), District Credit Union (1874),
Bartoš steam mills, new roads (Prague–Kouřim, Říčany–Mnichovice,
Říčany–Kolovraty), and associations (Volunteer Fire Brigade 1874,
Jablonský Singing Society 1881, Sokol 1896, Ornamental Society 1901,
Sports Club/football 1901). Building expanded, merging with
Radošovice. New landmarks included the Oliveum nursery (1896),
Thomayer’s Nurseries (1896), and the still-used school (1908).
The Prague–Benešov railway (construction from 1869, linking to České
Budějovice–Linz) transformed Říčany. It enabled daily Prague
commutes while attracting Prague residents for recreation. Luxury
villas, inns, dance halls, sporting facilities, and pavilions
proliferated, establishing Říčany as a popular weekend and tourist
destination.
20th Century: Republic, World Wars, and
Administrative Shifts
After the Czechoslovak Republic’s founding,
Říčany regained district-town status in 1925. It lost this in 1960
(shifted under Prague-East District). A 1932 snapshot listed a
district office, court, post/telegraph, churches (Catholic,
Czechoslovak, synagogue), poorhouse, orphanage, mills, brickworks,
doctors, hotels, inns, banks, and guilds—reflecting a lively local
economy.
The town endured both World Wars with limited direct
destruction (the poorhouse remained in use post-WWII). Under the
Protectorate (1939–1945), it fell under Oberlandrat Prague
administration.
Post-1945 to Present: Communist Era, Velvet
Revolution, and Contemporary Growth
After 1945 and the 1948
communist takeover, Říčany integrated into the Central Bohemian
Region (1960 onward). Districts were abolished in 2003; many
functions returned to the town, which became a municipality with
extended jurisdiction overseeing 51 surrounding communities
(including attached historical villages Radošovice, Jažlovice, Kuří,
Pacov, Strašín, and Voděrádky).
The 1989 Velvet Revolution
spurred dynamic growth due to proximity to Prague: population surged
(from ~12,000 in the early 2000s to around 17,000 today), with
suburban development and commuting. In 2010, new leadership under
Mayor Vladimír Kořen shifted focus from unchecked expansion to
infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements. Říčany has since
been recognized for high living standards and continues to balance
its medieval roots with modern recreational and residential appeal.
The castle ruins (partially excavated in 2000, yielding thousands of
artifacts) and historic core (including the Baroque church and
Marian Column) remain key landmarks.
Říčany (sometimes specified as Říčany u Prahy) is a town in the
Prague-East District (okres Praha-východ) of the Central Bohemian Region
(Středočeský kraj), Czech Republic. It lies on the southeastern
outskirts of Prague, approximately 20 km southeast of Prague city centre
(or roughly 10–15 km east depending on the reference point), directly
bordering the capital to the west. Its geographic coordinates are
approximately 49°59′31″N 14°39′20″E.
The town functions as a suburban
settlement with excellent transport links, including the D1 motorway
(Prague–Brno) crossing its territory and a railway line to Benešov. It
serves as the administrative centre for an extended area covering 52
municipalities (total 377 km²). The municipality spans 25.81 km² and
includes the main town plus six integrated parts: Jažlovice, Kuří,
Pacov, Radošovice (largest after the core), Strašín, and Voděrádky.
Topography and Relief
Říčany occupies a transitional landscape in
the Bohemian Massif. The western section of the municipal territory
belongs to the Prague Plateau (Pražská plošina), while the eastern
section extends into the Benešov Uplands (Benešovská pahorkatina). This
creates a mildly undulating terrain of plateaus interspersed with gentle
hills and occasional rock outcrops.
The town centre sits at an
elevation of 341 m above sea level. Elevations across the municipality
range from roughly 320–340 m in lower areas near streams to a highest
point of 454 m (in the eastern uplands). Topographic data indicate an
average elevation around 374 m. Slopes are generally gentle (typical of
Central Bohemian plateaus and uplands), with no dramatic mountains but
subtle rises that provide scenic views. A notable rock outcrop west of
the main square once supported Říčany Castle (now ruins), illustrating
the local use of natural elevations for historical settlement.
The
overall relief is part of the broader Central Bohemian hilly
landscape—neither flat lowland nor rugged highland—supporting a mix of
built-up areas, forests, and farmland.
Hydrology
The town is
defined by the Říčanský potok (Říčanka or Říčany Stream), a tributary of
the larger Rokytka River (which ultimately feeds the Vltava and Elbe
systems). This 21 km stream has a catchment area of approximately
36.9–37.5 km² and originates near Tehov (east of Říčany). It flows
through the town with relatively low average discharge but is prone to
flash flooding during heavy rains.
The stream feeds several small
fish ponds that enhance the local landscape and recreation:
Mlýnský rybník (Mill Pond) — centrally located, offering iconic views of
the town centre, church, and historic buildings across the water.
Marvánek
Jureček — popular for natural swimming and community events.
These ponds have undergone significant revitalisation in recent
years, improving water quality and biodiversity while serving as leisure
spots. The surrounding area features a dense network of smaller
watercourses typical of the Prague Plateau drainage.
Natural
Features, Vegetation, and Land Use
Říčany is surrounded by the
Říčanský les (Říčany Forest), a significant woodland area used for
recreation, hiking, cycling, running trails (including events like
Říčanská výzva), and nature education. A dedicated nature trail
highlights local flora, fauna, history, and environment. The landscape
blends forests, revitalised ponds, agricultural fields, and suburban
development—creating a green, high-quality living environment on
Prague’s edge.
Land use is mixed: residential/commercial in the core
(population density ~664 inhabitants/km²), with forests and water bodies
providing ecological corridors. The town lies within the Central
European broadleaf and mixed forest ecoregion, supporting typical
temperate vegetation.
Climate
Říčany experiences a temperate
continental climate (Köppen Dfb), moderated by its moderate elevation
and position in the Bohemian basin. Annual average temperatures hover
around 8–9°C (warmer than higher Czech uplands), with summer highs often
exceeding 25°C (and occasional tropical days >30°C) and winter lows
below freezing with snowfall. Annual precipitation totals roughly
600–700 mm, distributed fairly evenly but with summer convective storms.
The Prague Plateau/Benešov Uplands transition slightly increases
variability compared to central Prague. Climate change trends (rising
temperatures, more extremes) mirror the national pattern, with impacts
on local water levels and agriculture.