TL;DR
- Start at Kuttenberg’s central fountain where Casper Rudolf sells wine – this represents the ‘vineyard’
- Wait until precisely after midday when the fountain’s shadow points directly north toward the merchant’s store
- Use stealth or force to enter the northern merchant building and locate underground stairs
- Unlock the hidden door with Hynek’s rusty key to access the thieves’ chest
- Retrieve the Thieves’ Notes containing essential symbols for quest completion
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In the engaging Thieves’ Code side mission within Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, players face the intricate task of locating a concealed thieves’ hideout situated in Kuttenberg. This particular quest presents a complex riddle that frequently confuses players, even those who believe they’ve correctly interpreted the clues. Our comprehensive guide provides clear, actionable steps to successfully navigate this challenge.
The primary difficulty most players encounter stems from ambiguous visual cues and environmental hints. When thoroughly investigating Hynek’s residence, you should discover an aged, corroded key among his possessions. This item serves as your initial tangible evidence. The second crucial component involves solving the poetic riddle left behind:
A vineyard in the town?
Strange, but who knows!
And yet there it is, quite nearby.
By the water that gushes, now listen and try
to keep your eyes open, so that you can tell
shortly after the midday bell,
you’ll find us where the shadow goes.
Many gamers struggle particularly with the ‘vineyard’ reference, as Kuttenberg doesn’t feature actual vineyards within its urban boundaries. The solution involves recognizing metaphorical references within the game world rather than literal interpretations.
Let’s break down each component of Hynek’s riddle systematically to eliminate confusion:
‘A vineyard in the town?’ – This refers specifically to the NPC merchant Casper Rudolf, who aggressively markets his wine products near the central fountain area. In medieval contexts, wine merchants were often associated with vineyards, making this a logical metaphorical connection.
‘By the water that gushes’ – Clearly indicates Kuttenberg’s prominent fountain, which serves as both a landmark and the starting reference point for your search.
‘Shortly after the midday bell’ – Timing is absolutely critical here. You must begin your observation precisely between 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM game time for accurate shadow alignment.
‘Where the shadow goes’ – This describes the directional casting of the fountain’s shadow during afternoon hours, which functions as your natural compass toward the objective.
Common Mistake Alert: Many players waste hours searching for actual vineyards or waiting at incorrect times. The shadow’s direction changes throughout the day, so timing precision is essential for success.
Once you’ve correctly interpreted the riddle’s components, execute the following steps methodically:
Step 1: Fountain Observation – Position yourself at Kuttenberg’s central fountain during the critical time window. Observe carefully as the shadow extends northward, directly pointing toward a specific merchant’s establishment.
Step 2: Merchant Store Infiltration – The building located directly north of the fountain contains your target. You have multiple entry strategies available:
Stealth Approach: Navigate to the rear of the structure during nighttime hours when visibility decreases and guard presence may be reduced.
Forceful Entry: Alternatively, you can break through locked doors or windows if your character possesses sufficient strength or lockpicking skills.

Step 3: Underground Access – Inside the merchant’s premises, locate the staircase descending to subterranean levels. Adjacent to these stairs, you’ll discover an aged, weathered door that appears initially inaccessible.
Step 4: Final Unlocking – Utilize the rusty key recovered from Hynek’s residence to unlock this concealed entrance.
Step 5: Reward Acquisition – Beyond the door, a secured chest contains the essential Thieves’ Notes documentation. This item holds the crucial symbols required to advance the Thieves’ Code narrative.

For players seeking optimization or facing particular challenges, consider these enhanced techniques:
Timing Optimization: The optimal observation window occurs between 12:45 PM and 1:00 PM, when shadow direction becomes most apparent and reliable.
Stealth Mastery: If choosing the stealth approach, ensure your Stealth skill exceeds level 8 to minimize detection risk. Approach from the northeastern alley for superior concealment opportunities.
Alternative Routes: Players with high Lockpicking ability (level 10+) can bypass certain obstacles more efficiently, potentially reducing completion time by 15-20 minutes.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid:
- Don’t search for actual grapevines or vineyards – this is purely metaphorical
- Avoid attempting entry during morning hours when shadows point in wrong directions
- Ensure you’ve actually acquired Hynek’s key before infiltration attempts
- Don’t ignore NPC schedules – merchants may be present during business hours
Loot Beyond the Notes: While the primary objective is retrieving the Thieves’ Notes, thorough explorers may discover additional valuable items in the hideout including rare crafting materials and minor treasure caches.
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Action Checklist
- Retrieve rusty key from Hynek’s residence during initial investigation
- Locate central fountain and identify Casper Rudolf the wine merchant
- Wait until 12:45 PM – 1:00 PM game time for proper shadow alignment
- Follow shadow direction north to merchant store building
- Infiltrate using stealth (night) or force, locate underground staircase
- Unlock hidden door with Hynek’s key and retrieve Thieves’ Notes from chest
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides » How to solve Old Greaser Hynek’s riddle and find old thief’s hideout KCD2. Guide to Thieves’ Code quest issues in Kingdom Come 2 Master Hynek's cryptic riddle to uncover the hidden thieves' den in Kuttenberg with our step-by-step solution guide
