Castle & fortressCentral Slovakia

Lietava Castle: a vast ruin of the Thurzo family in the Súľov Mountains

Lietava Castle (Lietavský hrad) is an extensive castle ruin on a rocky ridge in the Súľov Mountains of northern Slovakia, about 10 km from Žilina. Founded after 1241 and rebuilt in Gothic-Renaissance style by the Thurzo family, it stands at 635 metres and is one of the most visited castle ruins in the country, still freely accessible on foot.

In 1530 Lietava Castle housed 285 mercenaries who even made their own gunpowder; in 1604 only twelve soldiers were left, and the vast fortress slowly fell silent.

WhereBetween Lietava and Lietavská Svinná-Babkov, Žilina District, northern Slovakia

TypeExtensive Gothic-Renaissance castle ruin, partly conserved and freely accessible

Best forHikers, photographers, history fans and families who enjoy a short climb to a big ruin

Getting thereAbout 10 km from Žilina; marked trails lead up from Lietava, Lietavská Svinná and Podhorie

The history of Lietava Castle

The castle was built after 1241 on a rocky ridge at the eastern edge of the Súľov Mountains, most likely as an administrative and military centre. It lay beside the Amber Road, the trade route along which amber and other goods were carried. In the last quarter of the 13th century someone from the Balaš family probably chose the site and raised a square, four-storey tower on the highest part of the rock; a wall and a small palace completed the original layout. At the start of the 14th century the powerful magnate Matthew Csák of Trenčín seized it, but after his death in 1321 the forces of King Charles Robert took it and gave it back to the Balaš family.

By the end of the 14th century the castle belonged to King Sigismund. From 1474 to 1494 it was held by Pavol Kinizsi, who repaired the fortifications of the first outer ward, the great residential tower and the gate tower, and added a late Gothic lower castle and a new residential palace. In the early 16th century Mikuláš Kostka acquired it, and his daughter Barbora married František Thurzo. The Thurzo family fortified a second outer ward, repaired the existing buildings and crowned several of them with arched attics in the new Renaissance style. A report from 1530 mentions a garrison of 285 mercenaries who produced their own gunpowder, but by 1604 only twelve soldiers remained.

After the death of Imrich Thurzo in 1621 the estate was divided among his heirs, who for a time maintained the castle together. In 1641 property disputes made them lose interest, and the castle passed into joint ownership. A description from 1698 says that it was uninhabited and held only an archive, which was moved to Orava Castle in the 1760s. After that the castle was neither used nor maintained and slowly fell into decay. In 1870–1873 Baron Popper bought the local estates.

For a long time the ruin stood forgotten in the forest. In 1999 a civic association was founded to save it, and since 2003 it has carried out careful stabilisation, conservation and partial restoration. In 2008 the association became the owner of the castle. In 2009 the site was entered on the World Monuments Fund list of the most endangered monuments for 2010. By 2018 the work had included an electricity line to the castle, the securing and roofing of the main tower, the restoration of a tiled stove and a small exhibition. The castle remains a ruin that can be visited freely, apart from the parts under repair.

Curiosities about Lietava Castle

A report from 1530 mentions 285 mercenaries living in the castle, who made their own gunpowder.
By 1604 the garrison had shrunk to just 12 soldiers, a sign of how quickly the castle lost its military role.
According to the German Wikipedia, the name probably comes from the old Slavic goddess Lietva, goddess of youth and spring, who is said to have had a sacrificial site on the summit.
In 1760–1770 the castle archive was moved to Orava Castle, after which Lietava was left without any use.
In 2009 the castle was entered on the list of the world's most endangered monuments for 2010 by the World Monuments Fund.
George Thurzo, the last holder of the castle from the Thurzo family, was born within its walls.

Tours near Lietava Castle

Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:

Private One Day Tour to the UNESCO Heritage Village and The High Tatras from Bratislava

★ 5 (2 reviews) · 12 h

See details ›

Private Magic Christmas Tour in Bojnice

★ 5 (1 reviews) · 2 h

See details ›

Bojnice Heritage and Nature : Private Walking Tour

2 h

See details ›

Bojnice’s Romantic Embrace Private Walking Tour

2 h

See details ›

Visiting Lietava Castle

The castle is an open ruin, freely accessible except for the parts under repair; walls still stand to a considerable height, with window and portal openings, gun loops and arched attics.
The oldest core is a great square tower; around it lie the upper castle with the palace, the Gothic chapel on the east side and two outer wards with towers and bastions.
In part of the middle castle the owning association runs a small exhibition on the history of the castle, its owners and archaeological finds.
The castle is reached on foot along marked trails from Lietava, Lietavská Svinná and Podhorie; the blue trail from Lietava takes about thirty minutes. Wear sturdy shoes and check the current conditions before you go.
Other places on this site nearby include the Church of the Holy Trinity in Žilina, Budatín Castle, Strečno Castle and Považský hrad, all within about 17 km.

Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.

Map: where Lietava Castle is

Photos of Lietava Castle

Questions

Where is Lietava Castle and how do you get there?

Lietava Castle stands in the Súľov Mountains in northern Slovakia, about 10 km from Žilina, between the villages of Lietava and Lietavská Svinná-Babkov. It is reached on foot along marked trails.

How old is Lietava Castle?

The castle was built after 1241 and was probably started by the Balaš family. It was rebuilt in Gothic-Renaissance style under the Thurzo family in the 16th century.

Who were the Thurzo family?

The Thurzo family were Hungarian nobles who held Lietava Castle in the 16th century and rebuilt it in Gothic-Renaissance style. After the death of Imrich Thurzo in 1621 the estate was divided among his heirs.

Why is Lietava Castle a ruin?

A description from 1698 says that the castle was uninhabited and held only an archive. After the archive was moved to Orava Castle in the 1760s, it was no longer used or maintained and fell into decay.

Can you enter Lietava Castle freely?

Yes, the castle is a freely accessible ruin, except for the parts that are currently being repaired. A small exhibition is run in part of the middle castle.

Who looks after Lietava Castle today?

A civic association formed in 1999 to save the castle owns it since 2008 and carries out stabilisation and conservation. The work is supported by the Slovak Ministry of Culture and the European Social Fund.