Ubytování - Perla Posázaví

The first written references of Rataje nad Sazavou go back to the year 1156. They acknowledge that Rataje existed as a controlled market place. The exact year of establishment is not reported, i tis assumed the it was around 946 A.D.

On the spot of the Rataje chateau, a castle was built in the middle of 10th century. The castle was build partly from brick, partly wood. This castle was established as a border fortress of the Zlic region. The findings of bronze and ceramic ornaments from 1890, when building roads around the castle, prove this.

Rataje have been re-built in the middle of 13th century. after a large fire. At that time Rataje belonged to the King´s property, that was donated or given out as a fief. John of Luxemburg donated Rataje to Jindrich z Lipe (Henry of Lipá). The noble family of Lipá also built a lower castle called Pirkstejn which was adapted into its present shape 400 years later. In 1420, Hynek Ptacek of Lipá and Pirkstejn obtained Rataje to his property. Hynek Ptacek of Lipá and Pirkstejn was the highest clerk of Kingdom of Bohemia, he was the administrator of royal cities, including Kutna Hora where silver coins were incused. He was a major politician of the Hussite period and the guardian of a young Jiri (George) of Kunstat, the future King George of Podebrady. He has been the most significant holder of Rataje and is buried in the family tomb in the local church.

After the glorious period of Hynek Ptacek of Lipa, Rataje has become the possession of many noble families. Let´s appoint the most distinguished ones: Between 1531 - 1579 Ladislav, son of Vaclav and grandson of Jan of Malešice - they introduced the urban, market and capital laws. Under their government Rataje gained an urban character, the construction of the Renaissance wing of the chateau was worked out. In 1656 Vilem Frantisek of Talmberk started the reconstruction of the chateau that was completed by his son Frantisek Maxmilian Leopold. Between 1772 - 1919 Rataje were held by the family of Lichtenstein. The Chateau of Rataje was bought in 1933 by the municipality of Rataje and the post office, police station and especially school has been placed there.