Lichnice Castle

Lichnice is a ruined castle perched on the rocky hill of Světlík in the Iron Mountains, overlooking the small town of Třemošnice in eastern Bohemia. Little remains today beyond defensive walls and foundations, yet the site still draws visitors with sweeping views over the surrounding hills and traces of a turbulent, centuries-long history.

How to get there

The ruins stand right next to the village of Podhradí, within the municipality of Třemošnice, in the Chrudim district of the Pardubice Region. Čáslav lies roughly 15 kilometres to the west, making Lichnice an easy day trip from either Pardubice or Kutná Hora. The hill of Světlík, on which the castle sits, is shielded on the west by the deep Lovětín ravine and on the south by a steep slope — a natural setup that made the site highly defensible for centuries.

History of the castle

The first written record of Lichnice dates to 1261, when the estate belonged to Smil of the Ronow family, who adopted the name "of Lichtenburg" and thereby founded the Lichtenburg lineage — a branch of the Ronow clan, one of the most powerful noble families in the Bohemian kingdom at the time. Around 1330, Jindřich of Lichtenburg sold the castle to King John of Luxembourg, and in 1410 it passed into the hands of King Wenceslaus IV, becoming a royal stronghold.

The Hussite Wars brought further upheaval: Hussite forces besieged the castle in 1421 and again between 1428 and 1429. The estate changed hands once more in 1490, when it was acquired by the Trčka of Lípa family, who rebuilt the residence in late Gothic style and gave it a more comfortable, residential character. The castle's fortunes turned decisively in the 17th century — a fire damaged Lichnice in 1610, and after the end of the Thirty Years' War, in 1648, Emperor Ferdinand III ordered its partial demolition as a precaution, to prevent the walls from sheltering hostile troops.

What you can see today

The castle was built on a triangular plateau, a layout still traceable in the surviving walls. What remains includes fragments of the main palace building along with its entrance gate, plus a visible moat that once encircled the complex. Walking among the ruins, visitors can follow the original outline of the fortress, while the Světlík hilltop offers a wide view over the forested ridges of the Iron Mountains — one of the reasons Lichnice remains a popular destination for hikers in the region.

Frequently asked questions

When was Lichnice Castle built? The first written mention dates from 1261, when the estate was held by Smil of the Ronow family, who took the name "of Lichtenburg."

Why is the castle in ruins today? Lichnice burned down in 1610, and in 1648, after the Thirty Years' War, Emperor Ferdinand III ordered it partially demolished as a preventive measure.

What can you see on site today? Surviving remains include parts of the main palace, the entrance gate, and the moat surrounding the former castle, which was built on a triangular plateau atop Světlík hill.

Where exactly are the ruins located? Next to the village of Podhradí, in the municipality of Třemošnice, Chrudim district, Pardubice Region — about 15 km east of Čáslav.