Levnov

Levnov (Ketkovický hrad) is a ruined castle in the Ketkovice area of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, perched on a rocky spur above the Oslava River at the heart of the Údolí Oslavy a Chvojnice nature reserve. It's a place valued less for surviving architecture and more for its setting — a narrow rock ridge suspended high above the water.

Where exactly is the castle?

Levnov stands between the villages of Senorady and Ketkovice, in the Brno-venkov district, roughly three kilometres south of Ketkovice itself. The ruin occupies a narrow rocky ridge rising about 120 metres above the riverbed, right where the Chvojnice stream flows into the Oslava. The whole area falls within a nature reserve protecting the valley of both watercourses, which explains the wild, largely untouched landscape surrounding the ruins.

Where did the castle come from, and who built it?

The stronghold was founded at the start of Charles IV's reign by Lév z Levnova, who gave the castle its name. The Levnov family died out around the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, and what happened to the castle afterward is less well documented. By around 1440 it had become a base for a band of marauders operating out of Austria, who took advantage of its hard-to-reach, easily defended position. An army raised by the Moravian estates captured the castle and had it torn down — and it has remained a ruin ever since.

What is there to see today?

Sections of the perimeter wall survive, along with the outline of a defensive layout shaped to fit the narrow rocky base it sits on. The outer bailey was once enclosed by a moat, traces of which are still visible on the ground. Levnov also goes by the names Ketkovický hrad and, locally, Ketkovák. The ruins are listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, though what draws most visitors isn't the masonry itself but the view stretching from the spur out over the bend in the Oslava.

How do you get there, and what should you expect?

A marked trail leads to Levnov, but the approach — especially from the Oslava riverside — is demanding. The path runs partly straight across bare rock, high above the water, and in places you'll need your hands as much as your feet. It's not a route for inexperienced hikers or families with small children unless everyone is properly prepared. A popular option is a roughly 6.9 km loop connecting the Levnov junction with the ruins themselves, starting from Ketkovice. Sturdy hiking boots are worth packing, since the ground is rocky and can turn slippery after rain.

Why is it worth the hike?

Among Moravian hikers, Levnov has built up something close to a cult following over the years. It's not about the scale of what's left standing — the ruins are modest — but the combination of history, the untouched nature of the reserve, and the view from the castle spur over the winding Oslava. The site pairs naturally with the nearby Kraví hora castle ruin, letting visitors take in two very different ruins on a single riverside walk.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No — Levnov is an open-air ruin with no ticket booth or fencing, freely accessible year-round like most sites in the reserve.

Is the trail suitable for families with children? Parts of the path run high above the river across rocky terrain, so with young children it's better to approach from the Ketkovice side rather than the steep route along the Oslava.

How long does it take to see the ruins? Walking around the castle site itself takes about 15-20 minutes, but the full loop from Ketkovice to Levnov and back usually takes 2-3 hours.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The same valley along the Oslava holds the ruins of Kraví hora castle and numerous viewpoints within the Údolí Oslavy a Chvojnice reserve — good reason to plan a longer hike.