Rakovnik is a town in the western part of the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has a population of about 16,000. It is located between the cities of Prague and Plzen, in varying landscape and the huge forest of Krivoklat. The location of the town influenced and still influences the way of life of the inhabitants.

The centre of the town is historically significant and is protected by law as Urban monument zone. Its main feature is the 400 metre-long Hus Square, which is the 2nd longest square in the Czech Republic. On the square is located the 16th-century town hall with a late Baroque façade. The interior of the town hall is decorated with a ceiling fresco depicting the town of Rakovnik as it was 250 years ago.

The eastern part of the square is dominated by the high Gothic Decanal Church of St. Bartholomew, a 14th-century structure. The church was built on the site of an older church dedicated to St. Nicholas. Adjacent to the church stands a bell tower dating from 1495. It is considered as the most precious gothic bell tower in the Czech Republic and one of the most precious in Europe. The bell has a diameter of 1.6 metres.