Likava Castle Ruins, Likavka, Slovakia

Likava Castle (Likavský hrad) was referred to for the first time in 1315. Its construction started with the intention to have a guarding point over the passage across the river Váh and the trade route from the Váh Basin to Orava and further to Poland.

The castle owners, the noble family of Hunyady, gradually reconstructed and widened the core of the Castle and built the part called the lower castle in the second half of the 15th century. In the second half of the 17th century, the Thökölys" eventually finished the entire fortification system though it was of no use as it did not prevent the disaster at the beginning of the 18th century when the retreating troops of František Rákoczi completely pulled down the castle in 1707.

Likava castle gradually decayed in ruins. After a thorough reconstruction in recent year the tower Hunyadyho veža was opened to public. It contains the exhibition of the Castle history.

References:

Slovakia Travel

User Reviews

Anna Nurczyca (3 years ago)
Great place ! Nice small treking

Simon Kubis (3 years ago)
Half of the castle is under rebuild, so you cannot go to some places in there, but you have to pay full price.

Rastic Idaho (3 years ago)
Nice and easy hike, even with a pregnant wife :) OK view. Only partial accessibility due to renovations. There's a tower that's basically a tiny museum with three floors and some torture racks.

Juraj Plaza (3 years ago)
I work as a guide at the castle. It is just marvelous and the view on the surroundings is stunning. I recommend you this place.

Władysław Janusz (3 years ago)
only the lower part of the castle is currently open for visitors, the view is great though

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Martin M. Miles

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