Rabí Explained

Rabí
Settlement Type:Town
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Plzeň
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Klatovy
Pushpin Map:Czech Republic
Pushpin Relief:1
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates:49.2839°N 13.6244°W
Established Title:First mentioned
Established Date:1373
Area Total Km2:14.32
Elevation M:478
Population As Of:2024-01-01
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:482
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:CET
Utc Offset1:+1
Timezone1 Dst:CEST
Utc Offset1 Dst:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:342 01

Rabí (German: Rabi) is a town in Klatovy District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 500 inhabitants. It is known for ruins of the Rabí Castle, one of the biggest castles in the country. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.

Administrative parts

The villages of Bojanovice and Čepice are administrative parts of Rabí.

Geography

Rabí is located about southeast of Klatovy and 52km (32miles) south of Plzeň. It lies in the Bohemian Forest Foothills. The highest point is the hill Čepičná at 671m (2,201feet) above sea level. The town is situated on the left bank of the Otava River.

History

The Rabí Castle was founded probably between 1124 and 1173. The first written mention of Rabí is from 1373, when the so-called Upper and Lower towns were mentioned. The first mention of the owners of Rabí is from 1380, when it was the property of Půta Švihovský of Rýzmberk. In 1420, the castle surrendered to the large army of Jan Žižka, then the castle was looted and burned. The castle was then repaired, but in 1421 it was again conquered by the Hussites and Jan Žižka lost his second eye here.[2]

Transport

The railway line KlatovyHoražďovice runs through the territory of Rabí, but there is no train station. The town is served by the station in neighbouring Žichovice.[3]

Sights

Rabí is known for the Rabí Castle, one of the biggest castles in the country. Today it is owned by the state and is open to the public.[4]

The Church of the Holy Trinity is part of the castle complex. It is a late Gothic building that was finished in 1498 as a castle chapel. Later it became a parish church.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024. Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. Web site: Územní plán Rabí. Obec Rabí. 42–46. cs. 2022-12-11.
  3. Web site: Detail stanice Žichovice. České dráhy. cs. 2023-11-21.
  4. Web site: Tours. Rabí Castle. National Heritage Institute. 2023-11-06.
  5. Web site: Kostel Nejsvětější Trojice. Rabí Castle. National Heritage Institute. cs. 2023-11-06.