Lina

Lina is the vanished remains of a medieval fortified tower (tvrz) hidden in woodland near the village of Mlýnce, in the Louny district of the Czech Republic, close to where the Louny, Chomutov and Karlovy Vary districts meet. The site sits at roughly 515 metres above sea level, above a small stream and pond, in a spot tucked away enough that even seasoned ruin-hunters have trouble finding it on the first attempt.

What exactly is this place?

Unlike many Czech castles, Lina has no written history to speak of. No surviving document names the structure directly — its existence is known only through archaeological evidence, which points to construction and use during the 14th and 15th centuries. That period saw many small private watchtowers and fortified residences spring up across this borderland region, and Lina appears to have been one of them.

Where does the name "Lina" come from?

The name has nothing to do with a rope or a woman's name — it's a case of pure coincidence in the naming database. Local researchers trace it back to the nearby village of Hlína, which in its German form was recorded as "Lihna." Over time that spelling settled into the "Lina" used for the ruin today.

What's left to see?

Very little physical structure survives: a fragment of wall from a square building measuring roughly 8 by 8 metres. The whole area is thickly overgrown with brush and trees, so the remains are hard to spot from any distance — even in winter, when the vegetation is bare, visitors often walk right past without noticing anything. There's no visitor infrastructure here: no signage, no marked trail, no ticket booth. This is a site for people who enjoy tracking down obscure ruins, not a polished heritage attraction.

How do you get there?

The most practical approach starts from the Ožkov gamekeeper's lodge, from where a field path heads southeast alongside the stream toward the ruin. Access is free and unrestricted at any time, simply because there's nothing here to manage or gate — no staff, no opening hours, no admission fee.

Is Lina the same as the castle in Mlýnce?

No, and it's worth being clear about this. The village of Mlýnce itself is home to a separate, well-documented landmark: a Neo-Gothic château (Zámek Mlýnce) rebuilt in the 19th century from an earlier Baroque residence. That building is a completely different structure with its own history and its own state of preservation. Tvrz Lina sits out in the forest away from the village, and beyond sharing the general area, there is no documented connection between the two.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee for Lina? No. The site is open land with no admission charge and no ticket office.

When is the best time to visit? Late autumn and winter give the best chance of actually spotting the wall remains, though dense undergrowth can still make orientation tricky even then.

Do I need GPS to find it? Yes, it's strongly recommended. The approximate coordinates are 50°11'10" N, 13°16'35" E. Without a fix on the location, it's easy to walk past the ruin entirely.

Are there information boards on site? No, the site is unmarked and has no visitor infrastructure whatsoever.

What should I bring? Sturdy outdoor footwear — the approach crosses open fields and streamside ground that can be uneven and occasionally wet.