Lány U Rakovníka: Castle, Masaryk and the Lánská Game Reserve

Lány Castle, Masaryk’s legacy and the attractions around the Lánská Game Reserve give a trip to Lány U Rakovníka several different focal points. For planning, it is worth considering the different types of visits separately: guided tours, seasonal access to the park, exhibitions and a questing rally each have their own conditions.

Lány Castle and seasonal visits to the park

The Baroque Lány Castle has served as the temporary and summer residence of the presidents of the Czech Republic since 1921. Its role as a presidential residence is a historical and institutional focal point of the town.

Guided tours of the representative first floor are offered daily except Fridays. The commentary focuses on T. G. Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia. Access is seasonal and may change, so check the visitor information before your trip.

The castle park is open to the public from Easter to the end of October; this seasonal access may also vary. These are two distinct ways to visit: a guided tour of the representative first floor and a stay in the park. If you are planning your visit around either of these options, check the latest visitor information before you travel.

Museums, architecture and exhibitions

Since 2003, the T. G. Masaryk Museum has been housed in a Baroque Fürstenberg granary that was transformed through a meticulous architectural renovation. The museum includes a research room, a lecture hall and a small café. The combination of the historic granary and its use as a museum makes the building’s architecture part of the visit.

A panel exhibition is dedicated to Jože Plečnik, T. G. Masaryk’s court architect. Thanks to his extraordinary architectural interventions, Plečnik remains closely associated with the castle park in Lány. In addition to the Baroque castle, architecture enthusiasts will find another point of interest connected to the park’s history.

The Czech Hockey Hall of Fame features a permanent exhibition on legends of Czech and Czechoslovak ice hockey, as well as ice hockey trophies. If you wish to visit this exhibition, check the latest information about the venue. The Museum of Sports Cars opened in 1997; check the latest opening hours before visiting.

Lánská Game Reserve: rally and observation point

The Lánská Game Reserve questing rally follows the Path of Wood with the deer Eliška, taking children from a seed to a mature tree and then to a wood product. To get started, use a mobile phone to find and scan the first QR code. The rally combines a hands-on activity with an explanation of how a seed grows into a tree and eventually becomes a wood product.

Another place to visit is the demonstration area of the Lánská Game Reserve nature trail. There is a wooden observation point with a view of a large game enclosure. Seasonal access may vary; if you plan to visit this area, check the latest information before your trip.

Getting to Lány

From Prague, the road route follows the R6 expressway towards Karlovy Vary. After the exit towards Lány, continue on Road 236 for about 4 km to Lány. Check current road conditions before setting off.

Take the train to Stochov station, then walk about 2 km to Lány. Check the latest train connections before travelling. The two routes also differ in their final leg: if you travel by train, you will need to plan for the walk from Stochov, while the road route follows the R6 and Road 236.

Discover more destinations: Lidice, Velká Dobrá, Libušín, Kamenné Žehrovice, Sazená, Knovíz, Hrdlív, Velvary.

For the wider travel overview: Kladno District.