The Ratibořice Château and Babiččino Valley
The first mention of Ratibořice was at the end of the 14th century. A fortress belonging to Vaněk of Žampach stood in a place called Na Starých Ratibořicích,. The château, the old bleaching house, and Ludra's old mill are known today mainly due to the writer Božena Němcová and her novel Babička (Grandma), and her character Princess K.V. Zaháňská.
The novel Babička offers a beautiful picture of the life of rural Czech people and their local ruler in the first third of the last century. Through this novel the Ratibořice Château has entered Czech and world literature. In the minds and hearts of our nation, the château is irrevocably linked to the figures of Grandma, Barunka, the princess and Lady Hortensia.
