Mrákov brings together Chod heritage, architectural history and a seasonal destination at Lomeček. On the village square stands the church dedicated to Saint Lawrence; in the village district of Starý Klíčov, a farmstead preserves a historic log-built dwelling. There is also a folklore ensemble and an annual festival. Different time references are important for your planning: the history of the buildings and the village tells of earlier periods, while the festival date and uses of the former quarry are tied to specific time windows.
Church and protected complex
The church was built between 1811 and 1813 on the village square, on the site of an earlier chapel. The three-aisled building has a prism-shaped tower on its façade. The protected complex also includes a mortuary, an enclosing wall with two gates and a wicket gate, a cast-iron cross and the associated plots. The construction period also points to an earlier religious predecessor on the same site.
Chod heritage and folklore
Mrákov was one of the eleven oldest Chod villages in the southwestern border region of Bohemia. In the past, the Chods of Mrákov stood guard to protect the country’s border and the trade routes to Domažlice. Chodský soubor Mrákov cultivates and develops the folklore heritage of the Chod region through singing and dancing to Chod songs, as well as preserving the traditional costumes of the Lower Chod region. The ensemble was founded in 1961 by a group of folklore enthusiasts.
The annual Chodská hyjta festival takes place in Mrákov on the first Saturday after 10 August. It features performances by participants from the Chod region and abroad. As the exact calendar date shifts with the day of the week, check the date for your travel year.
More local history
Visits to the memorial house on Mrákov’s village square are attributed to Božena Němcová, Karel Havlíček, František Palacký and F. L. Rieger. If you are planning a visit, check in advance whether it is possible. The Chapel of Saint Wenceslas was built in the centre of the village in 1863.
Lomeček in summer and winter
The former Lomeček quarry near Mrákov serves as a natural open-air swimming area in summer and an ice-skating area in winter. Both uses are tied to a particular season, but operating arrangements and conditions may change; check the current situation before visiting. The underwater observation chamber is located at a depth of eight metres. Several round windows, each half a metre in diameter, offer views of underwater life. Guided visits for a maximum of four people at a time are listed as one way to visit; check in advance whether they are currently available.
Log building in Starý Klíčov
Starý Klíčov is a village district of the municipality of Mrákov. At farmstead No. 80, a log-built dwelling preserves evidence of rural architectural history. The house was built no later than the first half of the 19th century and is documented as already existing in 1838. The farmstead is considered one of the best-preserved examples of the development of log houses in the Chod region. The dates serve different purposes: they place the house within a period of construction and also record that it was already standing in 1838.
Discover more destinations: Capartice, Újezd U Domažlic, Libkov, Pelechy, Zahorany, Mutěnín, Pasečnice, Hostouň
For the regional travel overview: Domažlice District.
