Royal Beroun

The first written mention of the town comes from a document of famous Bohemian king, Ottokar II, from the second half of the 13^th century, where the Latin form of the name of Beroun is used – Verona. At that time, an important trade route from Prague to Bavaria passed through the town, and it was also the shortest and easiest connection between Prague and Plzeň. Ottokar founded a settlement that developed into a town. During his son’s reign, Wenceslaus II of Bohemia, the town was considerably reconstructed, and the historical centre was created, preserved to this day in some parts. Wenceslaus II also granted some privileges to the town in 1303, thanks to which Beroun became a royal town, started to prosper, followed with quickly developing crafts, including pottery. The red pottery with white decoration from Beroun became famous all over the kingdom.

To this day, the town is dominated by two tower gates, which you can climb to get a view of the surroundings. The lookout tower at Městská hora, built in the era of the First Republic, offers even a better view. You will find it near the bear enclosure where two brown bears, Kuba and Matěj, live. For active leisure, check out the popular cycling trail along the river, or the aquapark, the skatepark, the children’s traffic playground, the rental shop with kayaks and rafts to navigate River Berounka, or the pleasant golf resort. You should definitely visit the Pottery Museum, the Bohemian Karst Museum, and Geopark Barrandien. The diversity of local restaurants will please those who enjoy gastronomy. 

The Pottery Market with a long tradition takes place at the main square in spring and autumn every year. The Beroun pottery production from the end of the 16^th century and the beginning of the 17^th century belongs among incunabula – the oldest models of Transalpine European glazed pottery. All early modern pottery in Central Europe is compared with the most famous Beroun jug by Šimon Nemazal from the 16^th century.