Tichá Fortress

Welcome to the fortress in the village Tichá. You are standing right in front of a place that carries the incredible weight of centuries and at the same time a strange, deep silence that gives this location its name. Take a look at this Gothic structure that stands before your eyes. While time tried to change her face, erase her or destroy her completely, this monument still resists and reminds us that some things are stronger than the century itself. Feel the atmosphere of this place where the fragrance of history, the weight of stone and the memories of people who once lived here, ruled or worked.

Let's go back deep into the past together to understand why this building was built in the first place. The roots of this fortress go back to the thirteenth century, until the safety and protection of the nobility were absolutely necessary. However, you will find the first clear written evidence of the existence of this place only in the year 13-60. At that time, the fortress was a symbol of power and stability for its owners. It wasn't just a building, it was a strategic point that affected life around here. Over the next century, however, the role of this place has changed. History is not linear, it's a constant stream of change. In the eighteenth century, namely the 1970s, there was a major transformation. This original defense house was converted into a brewery. Imagine the huge contrast. The place where the knights' steps were previously made and political disputes were settled became a place for craft, for production and for the economic life of the village. This era brought a new life to the fortress, but with time came its sad chapter. The building began to wither away, lose its functionality, and gradually fell into decay until the world seemed to forget about it.

But now pay attention to the architecture that now surrounds you. Focus your view mainly on the dominant element of the complex - the incredible defensive tower. It is a truly unique one that you would find very difficult to find throughout the Czech Republic. This tower excels by being restored exclusively by historical methods. This means that no modern materials were used to restore it, which would have disrupted its original character, but everything was going the way the builders would have done at the time of its creation. If you look at its massive walls, try to realize their incredible thickness. They're up to three and a half meters. This mass is not random. It's proof of the medieval need to create an impenetrable barrier. And it was this thickness of the walls that became a rescue for the whole memory in later years. Notice also the structure of the building. The original entrance to the tower was not located on the ground floor, as is customary for ordinary buildings. For security reasons, it was on the first floor. This had to require special measures to ensure that only those who were called up could enter the tower and that the enemy did not have easy access to its internal spaces.

This fortress is not just a set of stone blocks, but it is interwoven with stories of particular people whose names are bound to this place. Over the centuries, there have been people from major families. We can mention here John from Velešín or Beneš from Velešín, who were key figures in this area. In history there are also names associated with the most powerful noble families such as Oldřich z Rožmberka. This link to powerful families shows how important this place was for political and social order at the time. In the history of the fortress there are also figures such as Ojíř, Jan z Petrovic or Čáp z Radonic. Each of these names represents a different chapter, a different era, and a different way that people perceived this place. Later, Karel Bonaventura Buquoy or Tomáš Durdík also moved here. Each of them contributed to the fact that this monument carries within it layers of different fates and times.

However, we must now touch one of the most dramatic and fascinating moments in the recent history of this place, which of you may cause special feelings. Let's approach the year one thousand nine hundred seventy-eight. At that time, the situation in this area was quite different from today. The fortress was located in the immediate vicinity of the Iron Curtain, a border that was a symbol of a divided world and constant tension. As part of an attempt to take off, the border guards at the time tried to damage the tower. Imagine the incredible power and tension that existed at that time. The shot aimed directly at this historic monument was an act that could have meant its final end. But this is where the incredible strength and resilience of architecture showed up. Thanks to the massive walls of three and a half meters thick, the tower resisted and stood still. This moment is a reminder of a time when this monument was at risk not only because of its age, but also because of the political tension that ruled at that time.

Fortunately, however, the story of the fort in Silent does not end in tragedy. On the contrary, after years of neglect and danger, a new, more promising story began to be written. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Castle Association in Malš and the village of Dolní Dvořiště, this monument has begun to be reborn. Their work was crucial to making this Gothic fortress not just a pile of wreckage, but a living witness to history. The process of recovery was long and patient, and its peak was the year two thousand twenty-one when the process of basic recovery was completed. It is through this effort that you are able to stand here today and perceive the beauty and strength of this place.

We now urge you to continue your search and find your own moments of silence and wonder. Explore the surroundings, perceive the atmosphere, and let the history that still breathes here consume you. Every stone and every wall here has a story waiting to be discovered. Thank you for spending this moment with us and for choosing to visit this special place. We wish you a pleasant further discovery.