Břežany is a municipality and village in Rakovník District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 100 inhabitants.

Etymology

The name Břežany is derived from the word břeh ('bank' in Czech, but in old Czech also meaning 'hillside') or from the word březí ('birch forest'). The word břežané denoted people who live near a bank, hillside or birch forest, so Břežany was a village of such people.

Geography

Břežany is located about 17 km southwest of Rakovník and 31 km north of Plzeň. It lies in the Plasy Uplands. The highest point is at 471 m above sea level.

History

The first written mention of Břežany is from 1414.

Demographics

Transport

There are no railways or major roads passing through the municipality.

Sights

The main landmark of Břežany is the Church of Saint Margaret. The original building was completely destroyed during the Hussite Wars, restored after 1560, and then again destroyed during the Thirty Years' Wars. The current church was built in the Baroque style in 1727. The second valuable building in a Břežany is Baroque granary. It dates from 1797.