Lipý Castle

Lipý Castle stands right in the heart of Česká Lípa, rising above the banks of the Ploučnice river beside the international E10 hiking route. It's one of the oldest structures in town — and the very place that gave the city its name.

Where did Lipý Castle come from?

The water castle was founded in 1277 by Chval of the Ronovci family, a powerful Bohemian noble house that was busy building a network of fortified seats across northern Bohemia at the time. Lipý quickly grew into one of the more important Ronovci residences, and a subject town gradually took shape around it. The family's most famous member linked to the site was Jindřich z Lipé (Henry of Lipá), who is believed to have driven much of the town's early development. In 1319 he sold the estate to the Berka of Dubá family, who held the castle right up until the Hussite Wars.

How did the castle survive the turbulent centuries?

The Hussite era hit Lipý hard: in 1426 the castle and town were seized by the forces of Jan Roháč z Dubé, one of the most uncompromising Hussite commanders. Another blow came in 1515, when fire tore through the fortress. The rebuilding that followed took a Renaissance direction — the Berka of Dubá family, who kept the castle until the mid-17th century, turned it in the 16th century into a Renaissance residence with a two-storey palace wing.

A turning point came in 1622, when Česká Lípa was purchased by Albrecht von Wallenstein, the famous imperial general of the Thirty Years' War. After the Battle of White Mountain the estate passed into his hands, but the administration of the property was moved to the New Castle in Zahrádky — and from that point on, Lipý began to decline. Through the 19th century its buildings were put to a string of very different uses: a theatre, a bell-founding workshop, even a sugar refinery operated here. The most badly damaged section of the castle was finally torn down in the 1950s.

What can you see at the castle today?

Following an eleven-year archaeological survey, the castle reopened to visitors in 2003. Only one original structure survives — the gate tower, which now houses an exhibition recreating everyday life at Lipý Castle around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The guided route also takes you across the courtyard, where remnants of the old defensive architecture are on display, and down into the castle's unique cellars, with a small presentation of archaeological finds unearthed during the excavation.

How do you get to Lipý Castle?

The castle sits right in the town centre, so it's an easy ten-to-fifteen-minute walk from either the train or bus station. Its position directly on the E10 trail also makes it a convenient stop for hikers and cyclists exploring the wider Máchův kraj and Lužické hory (Lusatian Mountains) region.

When is the best time to visit?

Lipý can only be visited on a guided tour, and tours depart on the hour: at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00, with a lunch break between 12:00 and 13:00. In October, the last tour of the day leaves at 15:00. Outside the summer season it's worth calling ahead to book a slot. The castle also comes alive with events throughout the year — Easter Passion plays in spring, town festivities in summer, and an Advent atmosphere in the run-up to Christmas.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit Lipý Castle on my own, without a guide? No — the castle can only be seen on a guided tour, with groups setting off on the hour throughout the day.

How long does a visit take? The tour covers the courtyard, the cellars and the gate tower exhibition, and typically lasts around an hour.

Did Česká Lípa take its name from the castle? Yes — the town grew up as a settlement subject to the castle, and its name, Lipá/Lipý, is the origin of the city's modern name.

Is there anything else to see near the castle? The castle sits on the Ploučnice river right along the E10 trail in the town centre, so it's easy to combine a visit with a stroll through Česká Lípa's old town.