Tašovice Hillfort

Welcome to this wonderful and fascinating place where time has stopped and where every rock and stone seem to have their own voice. You're standing on a rocky edge that rises high above the course of the Ohre River. Look around you and feel the incredible atmosphere. You see how the river beneath you flows smoothly through the landscape and its waters have shaped this rocky ridge for thousands of years. This rise, which people often call Old Elbow, is not just an ordinary piece of earth. It's a place where the power of nature collides with the incredible endurance of human life. Feel the cold wind and the sense of isolation that this edge offers. Because of this natural advantage, because of these steep rocks, this place has become a home for people in an incredibly distant past.

Let us now move together deep into dark times that most people cannot even imagine. This country has a much longer memory than it seems. The first traces of human presence are found here in a period we call mesolite. Ten thousand to eight thousand years ago, at a time when the world looked completely different from today, there was already a settlement. Imagine the hunters and gatherers who chose this rocky edge as their home. For them, the Ohře River was a key artery, bringing food and a path for business contacts. Even at a time when mankind was just beginning to know the world, there was movement of goods and ideas from very distant places. This site was already a strategic point that offered security and a view of the surrounding landscape.

Now, however, pay attention to another period, which has left much clearer traces of construction. If you look at the very form of this place, you can imagine in your mind how a solid Slavic wall stood here over one hundred years ago. In the ninth century, this site was built as an important castle. It was not just a random find, but a well-thought-out building designed to guard the entire access to the Karlovy Vary pelvis. You know, at the time, controlling these strategic points was absolutely crucial to the survival of the entire community. This Slavic fortification was known for its double wall, which created a double line of protection. Even though today we see only the rocky edge and natural shapes themselves, try to imagine the impenetrable barrier that once stood here protecting people from danger.

Looking at this rocky terrain, it's important to realize that what you see now is just a small part of what's hidden deep beneath your steps. However, in order to know what really happened here, we must turn to the work of the people who have decided to bring these secrets to light. The first systematic and scientific unveiling of this place began in the year one thousand nine hundred eleven. Since then, countless stories of search and discovery have taken place here. We must pay particular attention to these important personalities, which, with their patience and courage, have enabled us to understand the importance of Tašovice. Names like Josef Knettl, A. Bergman, H. Schroller, A. Knor or F. Prošek are very important in these contexts. That is what these people, using their tools and their scientific reasoning, were able to tell stories of ancient inhabitants from dust and earth. Thanks to their work, we now know that this place was not just an empty rock, but a living center of human existence.

Notice how unique this location is with its connection to nature. Since the year one thousand nine hundred sixty-four, this place has been protected as a cultural monument. This means that every stone that lies here has its weight and value. It's not just a pile of rocks, it's a rare record of human history. You might now think of a very interesting question: why this place? The answer lies in his position. The rocky edge over the Ohří River offers a combination of unavailability and great views. It's a place that forces you to stop and think about how the world was changing, while this edge remained the same.

There is one thing that could really interest you and leave you in awe. It's this incredible continuity. Imagine that incredible timeline. From the first people in the period of mesolite, to Slavic wall builders in the ninth century, to modern scientists here in the last century looking for answers. This site connects 10,000 years of human effort. It's like you're going through a book that has no beginning or ending, and you're in one of its most important chapters. The mystery that lies in these rocks is still alive. We never know what other layer of earth can reveal, what object or what evidence of ancient life will be hidden from our eyes.

I now ask you to continue this journey. Let yourself be drifted through the surrounding countryside, watch the flow of the river and perceive the strength of this rocky place. Take a look at the surrounding terrain and try to draw the ancient walls and the first settlers in your imagination. Tašovice and Old Elbow are not just archaeological sites, they are living testimonies of how we, as humans, have learned to live in accordance with this harsh but beautiful landscape. Thank you for choosing to make this journey with us. We wish you a pleasant further discovery and hope that this place will leave an unforgettable impression on you. We'll say goodbye, but you can carry the memory of this history all the way through your next walk.