Clan Rising
Talmberk Castle today

Czechia · Ruin

Talmberk Castle

Talmberk Castle is a medieval castle site in the village of Talmberk in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. Constructed around 1297 and most active in the late 14th century, it was abandoned by the early 16th century and today survives only as a ruin; the lower portion of the original bergfried remains and the site is a protected cultural monument since 1958.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1297

Its prime

1390

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1390

What Talmberk Castle looked like in its prime.

In its prime the castle was dominated by a tall, cylindrical bergfried of pale to mid-grey rubble masonry rising directly from the rocky hilltop; the round tower presented thick walls with narrow vertical arrow-slits and a high entrance above ground level. Low stone ranges and compact defensive walls clustered around the tower to form a small hilltop stronghold, the whole massing compact against the skyline above the village of Talmberk.

Its story

The story of Talmberk Castle.

Talmberk Castle was built around 1297 on land granted to Hroznata of Úžice for his service to King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia. Its most active years came in the late 14th century, when the castle was occupied by Diviš of Talmberk; it was besieged in 1390 and held by Havel Medek of Valdek.

Abandoned by 1533, the castle survives as a ruin in the village of Talmberk in the Central Bohemian Region. The lower portion of the original bergfried still stands, and the ruins have been a protected cultural monument since 1958.

Step inside

3 places to explore in 1390.

The record describes 3 distinct spots at Talmberk Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the village roadBase of the bergfried (exterior)View from the bergfried parapet

Build Your Own Castle

Recreate Talmberk Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1390, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Whose castle

Clans who held Talmberk Castle.

The families that held Talmberk Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Talmberk

    Occupied by Diviš of Talmberk in the late 14th century.

From the archive

Talmberk Castle on paper: the measured plan and period views.

The survey plan and photographs below are the ground truth this page's reconstructions are checked against, drawn and photographed while the castle was still a working garrison. Every image is public-domain or openly licensed, with its source named.

Talmberk., Talmberk Castle

Talmberk.

1890s · A. Sedláček, Hrady, zámky a tvrze Království českého, díl 12 (1882–1927)

Public domain

Plán hradu Talmberka., Talmberk Castle

Plán hradu Talmberka.

1890s · A. Sedláček, Hrady, zámky a tvrze Království českého, díl 12 (1882–1927)

Public domain

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Talmberk Castle.

Sedlec Ossuary, CzechiaChurchSedlec Ossuary26 km away

Questions about Talmberk Castle

What is the history of Talmberk Castle?

Talmberk Castle was founded around the turn of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries on land granted to Hroznata of Úžice for service to King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia. Its most active period came in the late fourteenth century, when Diviš of Talmberk occupied it. The castle was besieged in 1390, later lost its residential function, and was declared abandoned in 1533.

What is inside Talmberk Castle?

Inside Talmberk Castle, the surviving remains include parts of the bergfried, the castle core, a section of the palace’s outer wall and a vaulted cellar or basement in the former park area. The tower entrance was about seven metres above ground, while a ground-level entrance was created in 1933. Modern houses partly occupy the ruins.

Why was Talmberk Castle built, and what was it used for?

Talmberk Castle was built to serve as a fortified residence for the Talmberk lords on a naturally defensible rocky spur. Steep slopes protected it on most sides, while access was possible from the north and a pond strengthened its defences. From the second half of the fifteenth century it ceased to function as a noble residence and later decayed.

Where is Talmberk Castle?

Talmberk Castle is in the village of Talmberk in the Central Bohemian Region. The ruins stand on a rocky spur above the confluence of the Úžický and Talmberký streams, about three kilometres north of Rataje nad Sázavou. Talmberk is in the Kutná Hora district.

When was Talmberk Castle built?

Talmberk Castle was built around the turn of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The site record gives 1297 for its first construction, while another dated fact gives 1400, so the supported period is the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century. The castle was built in several phases, although most of the main structure was established in the first phase.

Was Talmberk Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Talmberk Castle was besieged in 1390. The attack occurred during the struggle involving Diviš of Talmberk and Havel Medek of Valdek; Havel held the castle, and the dispute later reached the provincial court. The supplied material does not state that the siege destroyed or captured the castle.

Which family or clan held Talmberk Castle?

Talmberk Castle was occupied by Diviš of Talmberk in the late fourteenth century. The Talmberk family was associated with the castle for most of its existence, while the Medeks of Valdek controlled it for several years after seizing it in the late fourteenth century.

What did Talmberk Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Talmberk Castle was a compact Gothic hilltop stronghold dominated by a tall cylindrical bergfried. The tower was built of pale to mid-grey rubble masonry, with thick walls, narrow vertical arrow-slits and a high entrance above ground level. Low stone ranges and defensive walls clustered around it above the village.

Is Talmberk Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Talmberk Castle survives as a ruin, with the lower portion of the original bergfried still standing. Part of the large tower collapsed on 24 June 1933, after which its remains were lowered for safety; the gate and further walls were also demolished. Stabilisation of the surviving remains was completed in 2008.

Can you visit Talmberk Castle?

Talmberk Castle is partially accessible. A red-marked walking route from Sázava to Rataje nad Sázavou passes through the settlement, but modern housing means that only parts of the castle remains can be reached.

More castles of Czechia

Opočno Castle, CzechiaOpočno CastleBlatná Chateau, CzechiaBlatná ChateauHněvín Castle, CzechiaHněvín Castle
All castles of Czechia · Castles of Europe · the best castles in Europe · explore the finished reconstructions.