Castle Libštejn

Libštejn Castle is a Gothic castle ruin perched on a rocky hill above the right bank of the Berounka River, within the cadastral territory of the village of Liblín in the Rokycany District of the Plzeň Region. Standing at roughly 300 metres above sea level, this solitary, long-abandoned stronghold counts among the lesser-known but atmospheric ruins of western Bohemia.

How to get there?

The ruins lie between the towns of Radnice and Kralovice, close to the village of Liblín, overlooking the valley of the Berounka River. The surrounding Plzeň region is characterised by rolling hills, forest and small villages linked by hiking trails that connect several nearby historic sites. The castle is open year-round and there is no admission fee, making it an easy addition to a day trip for anyone exploring the area.

Who founded the castle?

The land on which Libštejn later rose belonged, in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, to the St. George's Monastery at Prague Castle. That changed in the fourteenth century when the estate passed to Oldřich Tista of Hedčany. It was he who, sometime between 1356 and 1367, founded Libštejn Castle — most likely as a defensive stronghold and family seat controlling the surrounding land above the Berounka.

The Hussite siege

The most dramatic episode in the castle's history came in 1425, when Hussite forces laid siege to Libštejn. They bombarded the stronghold from nearby hills and managed to break into the outer bailey, but they never captured the castle itself. The siege ended in a negotiated peace between the attackers and the defenders, leaving Libštejn in the hands of its original owners. The episode illustrates that, despite its modest size, the fortress posed a genuine obstacle even to a well-organised Hussite force.

Decline and destruction

After its years of significance, Libštejn's fate followed a path familiar to many medieval strongholds in the region. Its last owners moved out, and by 1590 the castle was already recorded as abandoned. The final blow came in the seventeenth century, during the Thirty Years' War, when Swedish troops burned the already-deserted castle. Since then, Libštejn has remained a ruin, slowly reclaimed by the surrounding forest.

Protection of the monument

Despite the damage, the remains of the castle were judged historically and architecturally significant enough to be placed under cultural monument protection in 1964. As a result, the ruins — while not developed for mass tourism — have kept their authentic, rugged character, free of the reconstructions and commercial infrastructure found at many larger Czech castles.

What to know before visiting

Libštejn suits travellers who appreciate quiet, less crowded sites and want to experience the atmosphere of a genuine medieval ruin rather than a restored open-air museum. Sturdy footwear is recommended, as the approach crosses rocky, partly wooded terrain. With no tickets or fixed opening hours, visitors have considerable freedom to explore, but there is no on-site tourist infrastructure — it is worth stocking up on water and supplies beforehand in Liblín or a nearby village.

Frequently asked questions

When was Libštejn Castle built? It was founded by Oldřich Tista of Hedčany sometime between 1356 and 1367.

Did the Hussites capture the castle? No — in 1425 the Hussites besieged Libštejn and broke into the outer bailey, but never took the castle itself, eventually making peace with its defenders.

Why is the castle a ruin today? It was already abandoned before 1590, and Swedish troops burned it during the Thirty Years' War in the seventeenth century.

Is there an admission fee? No, the ruins are freely accessible year-round.

Where exactly is Libštejn located? On a rocky hill above the Berounka River, within the cadastre of Liblín, between the towns of Radnice and Kralovice in the Rokycany District.