Talmberk Castle Ruin
Talmberk Castle stands on a steep-sided promontory 365 metres above sea level, in the middle of today’s village of Talmberk in the Kutná Hora district. It was founded around the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries by members of the Kounic kindred, from whom the lords of Talmberk descended. Historians disagree on who exactly built it: Hroznata of Úžice, burgrave of Prague Castle in 1284–1286, his brother or nephew Vilém, or Hroznata’s son Arnošt are all named. The castle’s name first appears indirectly in 1297; the first direct mention comes from a charter of 1336–1337 between Nezamysl of Talmberk and the Sázava monastery.
The name comes from the Middle High German word for jackdaw, so Talmberk means Jackdaw Hill.
The most dramatic chapter came at the end of the 14th century. In 1385 the castle belonged to Diviš (Divish) of Talmberk, but for unknown reasons it was seized by his relatives, the brothers Havel and Vilém Medek of Valdek. They kept Diviš prisoner in the castle for at least seven years and began calling themselves “of Talmberk”. The land court ordered Havel to return the castle and pay damages; Diviš was eventually released, and by 1400 he held the office of burgrave of Prague Castle.
Almost no records survive from the Hussite period. The lords of Talmberk lost the castle during the wars of King George of Poděbrady. From 1473 it belonged to Bedřich Ojíř of Očedělice, then to the Šumburk family and finally to the Slavata family of Chlum, who attached it to their Čestín estate. The castle thus lost its role as a residence, and in 1533 it was recorded as deserted.
Talmberk was one of the more developed castles of the bergfried type. Its dominant feature was a round tower 9.3 metres in diameter set into the wall at the north-east corner, with its entrance about seven metres above the ground. The south side of the rectangular core was closed by the palace, of which only part of the outer wall survives. In the 19th century the remains were swallowed up by houses. On 24 June 1933 the great tower collapsed and what was left of it was lowered further during repairs. Stabilisation of the remains was completed only in 2008. The castle has been a protected cultural monument since 1966.
From the game Kingdom Come: Deliverance
In the game as Talmberg
- In the game
- The castle of Sir Divish of Talmberg, one of the first places Henry reaches after the attack on Skalitz. Later it becomes the target of a bandit ruse.
- In reality documented in 1403
- Divish of Talmberg was a real person with a dramatic story: after 1385 his relatives, the Medek of Valdek brothers, seized the castle and kept him prisoner there for at least seven years. After a ruling of the land court he was released, and by 1400 he was burgrave of Prague Castle. By 1533 the castle was deserted. In the game it is intact; today only fragments of walls survive among family houses, along with a tower lowered after it collapsed in 1933.
- On your trip
- Monuments nearby · Map and navigation · More places from the game
Game sources: kingdomcomedeliverance.wiki.gg · history: cs.wikipedia.org. This is not an official Warhorse Studios project.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- turn of the 13th/14th c.
- Members of the Kounic kindred found the castle on a promontory north of Rataje.
- 1297
- First indirect mention – the castle’s name in the title of Vilém of Talmberk.
- 1336–1337
- First direct mention in a charter of Nezamysl of Talmberk with the Sázava monastery.
- 1385
- The castle belongs to Diviš of Talmberk; later the Medek of Valdek brothers seize it and hold him prisoner for at least seven years.
- 1400
- Diviš of Talmberk is free and serves as burgrave of Prague Castle.
- 1473
- The castle is owned by Bedřich Ojíř of Očedělice; the lords of Talmberk have lost it.
- 1533
- The castle is recorded as deserted.
- 1933
- On 24 June the great tower collapses; its remains are lowered.
- 1966
- The castle is listed as a cultural monument.
- 2008
- Stabilisation of the remains is completed.
Architectural development
The castle's architecture is characterized by its Gothic style, with a bergfrit tower and a palatial complex.
Historical events
The castle was built on the edge of a hill with steep slopes at an altitude of 365 meters.
In the 14th century, the castle was partially inhabited by families.
In the 15th century, the castle began to decline and was eventually abandoned.
Owners
Páni z Talmberka
Medkové z Valdeka
Ojířové z Očedělic
Šumburkové
Slavatové z Chlumu
Points of interest
The name Talmberk means Jackdaw Hill – the first part comes from the Middle High German word for jackdaw.
Diviš of Talmberk spent at least seven years as a prisoner in his own castle, held by his relatives the Medek of Valdek. A few years later he was burgrave of Prague Castle.
The castle plays a big part in the video game Kingdom Come: Deliverance, where Sir Divish of Talmberg appears. In the game the castle is intact; in reality only fragments of walls survive among the houses.
The great tower was 9.3 metres across at ground level with its entrance seven metres up – such raised entrances were common in main defensive towers and were reached by a ladder or a wooden bridge.
Guide
This guide is narrated by a synthetic voice generated by artificial intelligence.
Show guide text
This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
Welcome to Talmberk, Jackdaw Hill. You are standing on a steep-sided promontory that the lords of Talmberk chose for their castle around the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. Look around: among the family houses and gardens you will find stone walls six hundred years older than the houses around them.
The most striking remnant is the round tower in the north-east corner. It was a bergfried – the main defensive tower, more than nine metres across, with its entrance seven metres above the ground. In 1933 the great tower collapsed and its remains were lowered for safety, which is why it is much lower today than it used to be.
On the south side stood the palace, the residence of the lords of Talmberk. Only part of its outer wall remains. It was here, at the end of the 14th century, that Diviš of Talmberk was held prisoner in his own castle for at least seven years by his relatives, the Medek of Valdek.
By the 16th century nobody lived in the castle any more; in 1533 it was deserted. The houses that surround it today were built in the 19th century. Please respect the residents’ privacy as you walk around. From here it is only a few kilometres to Rataje nad Sázavou, where two more castles await you.
Tips for visitors
The remains of the castle stand in the middle of an inhabited village and, because of the modern houses, are only partly accessible. Please do not walk through gardens and yards, and respect the residents’ privacy. A red-marked hiking trail passes through the village.
Talmberk combines well with Rataje nad Sázavou (about 3 km away), with its two castles – Pirkštejn and the castle rebuilt as a chateau housing the Museum of the Middle Sázava Region – and with the church in Úžice.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
This is a ruin. Such sites are often freely accessible, but some can only be visited with a guide or are closed for safety reasons. We have not verified the current situation – take care and respect any restrictions.
Where is the monument?
Location: Talmberk, Středočeský kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic as a cultural monument (register no. 27177/2-1162).
For kids
Do you know what the name Talmberk means? Jackdaw Hill! A castle with a mighty round tower once stood here on a rocky promontory. Its door was so high up – about as high as the roof of a two-storey house – that people climbed in on a ladder. When enemies came, they simply pulled the ladder up.
A real story like something out of a fairy tale happened at this castle: the lord of the castle, Diviš, was locked up by his own relatives and kept here as a prisoner for at least seven years! In the end a court set him free and Diviš became burgrave of Prague Castle.
Businesses nearby
Do you run a restaurant, accommodation, shop, museum, rental, wellness or other visitor service near this monument? Show yourself directly to the people heading to it — this is how they will see you in the app and on the web:
Nearby
The surrounding landscape features steep slopes and a hilltop location.
Other monuments in the area include the Ratají nad Sázavou castle.
Accommodation nearby
Trips and activities nearby
Guided tours, tickets and activities nearby from GetYourGuide
Affiliate link: if you buy from the partner, we may receive a commission. The price for you does not change.
Search tours and activities →Themed route
Talmberk Trail
This trail takes you to the ruins of Talmberk, a hilltop location with steep slopes and breathtaking views. Along the way, you'll discover other hidden gems in the area.
1. Ratají nad Sázavou Castle (approx. 2 km from Talmberk) Start your journey at this impressive castle ruin, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Learn about its rich history and enjoy the scenic surroundings. 2. Talmberk Ruins (approx. 1 km from Ratají nad Sázavou Castle) Make your way to the main attraction – the ruins of Talmberk. Explore the remains of this medieval castle and take in the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Note: The trail is approximately 3 km long, with a moderate level of difficulty.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring As the snow melts and the trees regain their vibrant colors, Talmberk's ruin takes on a serene beauty. The soft sunlight casts long shadows across the ancient stones, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Take advantage of the mild weather and visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the site, and don't forget your camera to capture the stunning views.
Summer During the peak tourist season, Talmberk's ruin comes alive with the sounds of laughter and chatter. The warm sunshine brings out the lush greenery surrounding the site, creating a picturesque backdrop for your visit. Be prepared for larger crowds and consider arriving earlier in the day to beat the heat. Wear light, breathable clothing and don't forget sun protection – sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are essential.
Autumn As the leaves turn golden and crimson, Talmberk's ruin takes on a warm, cozy glow. The cooler temperatures make for a more comfortable visit, and the scenic views of the surrounding landscape are simply breathtaking. Visit during the weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds, and wear layers – it can get chilly in the mornings and evenings. Don't miss the stunning sunsets that paint the sky with hues of orange and pink.
Winter Talmberk's ruin takes on a mystical quality during the winter months, when the snow-covered stones seem to glow in the soft moonlight. Dress warmly – layers are key – and consider visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon for a more peaceful experience. Be prepared for icy paths and wear sturdy shoes with good grip to ensure safe navigation of the site.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
Tips from visitors
No tips yet. Be the first!
Log in and add your tip.
Sources and literature
Photos: palickap / CC BY 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
Location on the map
Fotografie návštěvníků
Zatím žádné fotografie. Buďte první, kdo přidá fotografii z návštěvy!
Log in a přidejte svou fotografii nebo hodnoťte.
Za ověřenou návštěvu v aplikaci získáte víc bodů — poznáme podle GPS, že jste na místě.
Reviews and comments