Rataje nad Sázavou combines the history of castles and fortifications with castle rooms, art and two routes with different itineraries. A cycling loop of around 30 kilometres and a 14-kilometre walk offer different ways to plan your stay. The two routes differ in length, mode of transport and course.
Castles and Fortifications
The town fortifications ran along the edge of the promontory on whose plateau the town stands. The Lower Gate and part of the eastern moat remain. The area, where archaeological finds have been made, is designated as a medieval town with two castles.
Pirkštejn Castle stands on a spur extending from a larger promontory that slopes down towards the town. The Lords of Lipé built the lower castle, Pirkštejn. It is a preserved ruin; during the Baroque period, its palace, tower and outbuildings were used by the local parish. Its present status as a ruin and this former use belong to different phases of the building’s history.
Castle Rooms, Art and Church
On a tour of the historic rooms of Rataje nad Sázavou Castle, visitors see several formal and private interiors. The furnishings date from the second half of the 18th century to the first third of the 20th century. A long-term art exhibition is devoted to Jiří Václav Hampl and Marie Uchytilová. The castle thus showcases both the furnishings of its historic rooms and the art of these two artists. Exhibition details may change; check the current information before your visit.
The Church of Saint Matthew was newly built and consecrated on 21 September 1691. This date provides a precise point of reference, while the castle’s furnishings span several centuries. Visitors interested in architectural history can compare a precisely dated consecration with a broad span of furnishings.
Cycling Loop and Walk
Cycling loop 3/C is about 30 kilometres long. It runs from Sázava through Talmberk and Rataje nad Sázavou, as well as other places, before returning to Sázava. The walk following in the footsteps of Jindřich from Kingdom Come: Deliverance, by contrast, starts in Rataje nad Sázavou and is 14 kilometres long. It leads from the Sázava valley into the town, through a stone gate and to a view of Pirkštejn Castle.
The walk is estimated to take 4.5 hours; breaks and conditions may affect the actual duration. When planning, be sure to match the details to the relevant activity: the approximately 30 kilometres refer to the cycling loop, while the estimated 4.5 hours applies to the walk. Check the route before setting out.
Accommodation
Bořeň Watersports Camp is located just above the Rataje weir and offers cabins as well as food services. Facilities and operations may change; check what is currently available before making plans. This will let you compare the camp’s offerings with your travel dates rather than assume conditions will remain the same.
Discover more destinations: Kutná Hora, Chabeřice, Zbizuby, Bohdaneč, Zruč nad Sázavou, Čestín, Žáky, Staňkovice
Return to the regional travel overview: Kutná Hora District.
