Týnec nad Sázavou Founded in 11th century Romanesque Castle
Týnec nad Sázavou Castle is the dominant landmark of the town of Týnec nad Sázavou on the left bank of the Sázava River. From the original Romanesque castle from the 11th century, a unique Romanesque Rotunda of St. Wenceslas has been preserved, which is the oldest cultural monument in the Benešov district, along with a prismatic tower serving as a lookout tower.
Explore the interactive 3D reconstruction of Týnec Castle in the 3DCesko app and discover every detail of this fascinating monument. The model captures the probable historical appearance of the castle during its greatest glory. Thanks to it, you will be transported to a time when the castle served as a guard fortress over an important trade route.
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The first written mention of the existence of Týnec and Týnec Castle dates back to 1318 and has been preserved in a fragment of former court records called the "půhonné desky". However, archaeological finds discovered during excavations in the castle courtyard in 1969-1974 showed that this area was settled as early as the 8th to 10th centuries. In the 11th century, first a wooden and later a stone castle with a Romanesque rotunda was built here.
The Týnec fortress had an advantageous position on a high rocky promontory above the Sázava River, which protected it from the north. To the west, the Janovický stream contributed to its protection, and to the south, a wide and deep ravine. The most accessible and therefore most vulnerable part of the fortress was from the east, where it was probably protected by a massive bastion reinforced with a moat, rampart and palisade - this "fortification" (zatýnění) gave the settlement its name.
Týnec Castle served as a guard post, whose garrison controlled and protected the safety of merchants traveling the trade route from south to north or from east to west. Merchants could stop in Týnec at any time, refresh themselves and give rest to themselves and their horses or pack animals.
The first known owner of the castle was Oldřich of Týnec from 1318, who belonged to the family of lords of Valdek and became the ancestor of the Medeks of Valdek. They owned the castle almost until the end of the 15th century. Significant owners included Zdeněk of Valdek (mentioned in years 1393-1432), Zdeněk Medek (1444-1469) and Protiva of Valdek.
After the Medeks of Valdek, the castle owners began to change rapidly. In the years 1498-1506, the castle belonged to Litvín of Klinštejn including the nearby Benice. In 1544, the castle was purchased by Bernard of Baršov, after whose death Týnec was inherited by his daughter Anna, married to Jan Velemyský of Velemyšleves.
In 1607, the castle was acquired by Dorota Hodějovská of Harasov, of Konopiště, Benice and Nedvězí. Her husband Přech of Hodějov then connected Týnec with Konopiště, and this connection lasted until the creation of the independent Czechoslovak state. After the Battle of White Mountain in 1622, Týnec was purchased by Albrecht of Wallenstein, who sold it a year later to Pavel Michna of Vacínov.
Michna, who ruthlessly secured considerable wealth from confiscations after the exiles, behaved with the same ruthlessness in managing his estate, so that in 1627 the serfs rebelled against him. According to folk tradition, the former owner Adam Hodějovský of Hodějov was supposed to lead the rebels. Týnec was allegedly burned at that time, but in reality he served in the anti-Habsburg army even after his alleged death.
From the first half of the 17th century, Týnec Castle ceased to be the seat of nobility and began to deteriorate. In 1654, it was even damaged by fire. At an unspecified time, the original Gothic palace collapsed, was gradually dismantled and used as building material. At the beginning of the 18th century, only one room was habitable, along with a kitchen, two cellars, a stable for six horses, and the tower was already without a roof.
At the end of the 18th century and in the first half of the 19th century, there was a rapid boom in the ceramic industry throughout Europe. In Týnec, around 1791, Count František Josef of Vrtba founded a manufactory for the production of fine stoneware goods. The first workshops were in the so-called old castle, and only at the beginning of the 19th century was a new factory building constructed (today's Cultural Center). Týnec pottery achieved considerable fame in the 19th century.
In 1887, Jan Lobkovic sold the Konopiště estate to Archduke Franz Ferdinand d'Este, who spent the best years of his life here with his wife Countess Sophie Chotek. After 1918, the Konopiště estate became the property of the Czechoslovak state.
The habitable parts of the castle were used as apartments. In 1926, the entire complex was purchased by the director of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, Dr. F.X. Jiřík, and later resold due to the financial demands of reconstruction. Today, the rotunda with the tower belongs to the religious community of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church.
Three main objects have been preserved from the original Romanesque castle, which were and still are the core of Týnec Castle: the Romanesque rotunda from the late 11th century, the castle watchtower (prismatic tower) from the second half of the 12th century, and the remains of the Romanesque residential palace, which was added most likely at the end of the 12th century and gradually disappeared over time.
These objects served residential (palace), defensive (watchtower) and ecclesiastical (rotunda) functions. The core built of worked stone was surrounded by a moat carved into the rock, which was bridged on the north side by a drawbridge. We can say that Týnec Castle was then an example of a magnificent manor seat at a time when the Přemyslids were strengthening their rule and forming the Czech state.
Around 1300, the castle was expanded with the first and second courtyards and with servant quarters and farm buildings, which were supplemented with ramparts. This created a closed wreath around the Romanesque core, as we can still see in rough outline today. During this time, the Romanesque buildings - the residential palace and rotunda - underwent changes, being raised and equipped with early Gothic architectural elements. The water moat with its drawbridge ended up inside the castle and was filled in.
The Rotunda of St. Wenceslas is the oldest surviving building monument in Týnec and the oldest cultural monument in the Benešov district from the 11th century. It stands on the crest of a hill above the left bank of the Sázava. The prismatic tower adjacent to the rotunda serves as a lookout tower and is also a recognized European site for the greater horseshoe bat.
The rotunda originally served as a castle chapel and today services of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church are held there. It is a unique monument of Romanesque architecture that has been preserved in relatively good condition and forms the dominant feature of the entire castle complex.
At the end of the 18th century, Count František Josef of Vrtba founded a manufactory in Týnec for the production of fine stoneware goods. Týnec pottery achieved considerable fame in the 19th century and became sought-after goods. The first workshops were directly in the old castle complex, later a new factory building was constructed (today's Cultural Center and Hotel Týnec).
In 1959, through the care of the municipality and a local history group, a town museum with an exhibition of Týnec pottery and archaeology was established in the house next to the tower. After extensive reconstruction in 1983-1995, it now again serves the general public as a source of knowledge about the town's history. Various exhibitions take place in the museum gallery throughout the year.
The 3D model of Týnec nad Sázavou Castle in the 3DCesko app was created using advanced photogrammetry and captures both the current state of this significant monument and its historical appearance. Thanks to interactive elements and GPS localization, it offers a unique experience of a virtual tour of the castle with its Romanesque rotunda.
Týnec nad Sázavou Castle is located in the center of the town of Týnec nad Sázavou in the Benešov district on the left bank of the Sázava River. The ruins are freely accessible and offer beautiful views of the Sázava valley and surrounding countryside. Since 1965, it has been protected as a cultural monument.
Various cultural events are regularly held at the castle. On the stage in the castle complex, theatrical performances are performed for young and old alike, concerts are held, and events such as the Týnec Shard or Celtic Day are organized. The season opens with traditional Easter celebrations and closes with Advent Sundays at the castle. Every year, St. Nicholas also comes to the castle and brings gifts for children.
Regular exhibitions by artists take place in the town museum, with displays focused on Christmas and Easter traditions. An interesting feature is the permanent exhibition of Týnec pottery - the small pottery factory operated as one of the first factories of this type in Bohemia.
If you visit Týnec Castle, be sure to also check out the nearby Zbořený Kostelec Castle, which is located several kilometers upstream on the Sázava River. This castle has an interesting history associated with the siege by George of Poděbrady. Both castles demonstrate the importance of the Sázava River as a strategic trade artery of medieval Bohemia.
Another interesting monument in the area is Konopiště, historically connected to Týnec Castle, where you can visit a beautiful château and extensive château park.
