Rakvice

Rakvice is a municipality and village in Břeclav District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,300 inhabitants.

Etymology
The name is derived from the personal name Rak. The word rak means 'crayfish' in Czech.

Geography
Rakvice is located about 12 km north of Břeclav and 40 km south of Brno. It lies in a flat agricultural landscape in the Lower Morava Valley. The Trkmanka River flows through the municipal territory. The area is rich in fishponds.

History
The first written mention of Rakvice is from 1248. In 1604 at the latest, it became a market town, however the Thirty Years' War devastated Rakvice and it became a village again.

Economy
Rakvice is known for its large vineyards and is known for its long wine-making tradition. It lies in the Velkopavlovická wine subregion.

Transport
The D2 motorway (part of the European route E65) from Brno to Břeclav passes through the municipal territory.

Rakvice is located on the Brno–Staré Město railway line.

Sights
The main landmark of Rakvice is the Church of Saint John the Baptist. After the original church was completely destroyed during the Thirty Years' War, it was rebuilt and extended in the second half of the 17th century.