Racovia: An Early Liberal Religious Community

In the depths of the Polish countryside lies the little town of Raków (Racovia). Raków today shows few signs of its illustrious history as the chief center for progressive religious thinking in Europe. Founded as a utopian community in 1569 by the early seventeenth century it had become the Unitarian capital of Europe. Its academy attracted scholars and students from all over the Continent. Hundreds of books poured from its presses including the famous Racovian Catechism published four centuries ago and still in print to this day. Though the Racovian experiment eventually fell victim to the forces of religious repression the ripples arising from this little community have spread in ever-widening circles during the ensuing centuries and their effects can still be seen today.