Vráž (Beroun District)

Vráž is a municipality and village in Beroun District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,300 inhabitants.

Vráž
Municipality
Main street
Flag Coat of arms
Vráž Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°59′0″N 14°7′44″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Central Bohemian
District	Beroun
First mentioned	1320
Area
• Total	6.32 km2 (2.44 sq mi)
Elevation	222 m (728 ft)
Population  (2025-01-01)[1]
• Total	1,257
• Density	200/km2 (520/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	267 11
Website	www.obec-vraz.cz

Etymology

The origin of the name Vráž is unsure and several hypotheses have emerged. The most likely interpretation is that the name was derived from the Slavic word ovrag, meaning 'depression', 'gorge'.^[2]

Geography

Vráž is located about 4 kilometres (2 mi) northeast of Beroun and 17 km (11 mi) southwest of Prague. It lies mostly in the Hořovice Uplands, only the southern part of the municipal territory extends into the Křivoklát Highlands. The highest point is at 435 m (1,427 ft) above sea level.

History

The first written mention of Vráž is from 1320. From 1357 at the latest, the village was part of the Karlštejn estate and shared its owners and destiny. In 1421, Vráž suffered from the Hussite Wars. In 1639, during the Thirty Years' War, Vráž was burned down by the Swedish army and only few inhabitants remained, but the village recovered.^[3]

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 455 —     1880 544 +19.6% 1890 602 +10.7% 1900 761 +26.4% 1910 837 +10.0%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 889 +6.2% 1930 1,015 +14.2% 1950 1,002 −1.3% 1961 1,029 +2.7% 1970 941 −8.6%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 829 −11.9% 1991 768 −7.4% 2001 861 +12.1% 2011 1,047 +21.6% 2021 1,235 +18.0%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Transport

The D5 motorway from Prague to Plzeň passes through the municipality.

Sights

The main landmark of Vráž is the Church of Saint Bartholomew. It is a Gothic church from the first half of the 14th century, modified in 1909–1910.^[6]