Stronghold in Malešov (Tvrz Malešov)

Tvrz Malešov is a Gothic fortified manor perched on a rocky spur in the northwestern part of the village of Malešov, a few kilometres from Kutná Hora in Central Bohemia. Týniště, the settlement this place is often linked with, is one of the constituent parts of the Malešov municipality, which is why the stronghold sometimes turns up in listings tied to that name.

When was the stronghold built, and by whom?

The earliest record of a residence on this site dates to 1303, when it belonged to Přibyslav of Malešov. The stone stronghold itself went up in the first half of the 14th century; several accounts credit wealthy Kutná Hora burghers from the Ruthard family, who later took the name "of Malešov," with completing it. The original structure was a four-storey residential tower with timber floors, reinforced by round corner towers — a well sat inside the northeastern tower, while the southwestern one served as a prison. A timber palisade of uneven height enclosed the whole site.

How did ownership change, and what role did the stronghold play in the Hussite wars?

The estate passed to Sedlec Monastery in 1359 and returned to the Ruthard family in the early 15th century. By 1411 it belonged to Martin Kladný of Těchovice. During the Hussite wars, Hussite forces laid siege to the stronghold in 1421, and three years later, on 7 June 1424, the Battle of Malešov was fought nearby — around the Prosík pond, roughly two kilometres to the south — where Jan Žižka's troops defeated the forces of the Utraquist nobility. A stone memorial marks the spot today. The stronghold also withstood a Hungarian siege in 1472. Ownership kept shifting over the following centuries: the Háš family held it between 1525 and 1535, Jiří Voděradský owned it from 1576, several owners followed after the Battle of White Mountain, and from 1666 the estate belonged to the Špork family, known for producing imperial generals. In 1710 it passed to the House of Ostein, which retained it throughout the 19th century.

How did the building's architecture change over time?

Vaulted ceilings, Renaissance-style windows and a new residential wing north of the tower were added during the 15th and 16th centuries. In the 17th century, sections of the moat were filled in, outbuildings were erected, and a stone bridge replaced the earlier wooden one. Between 1824 and 1827 the courtyard was unified in Empire style and the tower itself was converted into a granary, capped with a Baroque lantern roof. By the mid-19th century the southwestern tower had collapsed and was replaced with a plain wall.

What happened to the stronghold in the 20th century, and what is it like today?

The tower kept serving as a granary until 1980. Five years later, the local National Committee took over the site, but none of the planned uses for it ever materialised. In 2002 the stronghold was sold to a private owner, who began a long-running, thorough reconstruction aimed at restoring its late-Gothic appearance; the work continued through 2017. Today the site operates as a heritage rescue project open to the public: it hosts an annual "Conquest of Malešov" re-enactment event tied to its siege history, an Advent market, and private functions including weddings. Off-season visits are possible by prior arrangement with a guide.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Tvrz Malešov located? On a rocky spur in the northwestern part of the village of Malešov, within the municipality of the same name in the Kutná Hora district of Central Bohemia. Týniště, the name this place is often associated with, is one of the constituent parts of that municipality.

When was the stronghold built? The first record of a residence here dates to 1303, and the stone stronghold itself was built in the first half of the 14th century.

What connection does this place have to the Hussite wars? Hussite forces besieged the stronghold in 1421, and in 1424 the Battle of Malešov was fought nearby, at the Prosík pond, ending in a victory for Jan Žižka's troops.

Can visitors tour Tvrz Malešov today? Yes, though it doesn't keep regular opening hours — off-season visits require prior arrangement with a guide, and the site also hosts recurring events such as an annual historical re-enactment and an Advent market.

How long did the most recent reconstruction take? After a private owner acquired the stronghold in 2002, restoration work aimed at recovering its late-Gothic appearance ran until 2017.