The Lednice Castle and its grounds was the property of the House of Liechtenstein for over seven centuries, but today the castle is owned by the state. Tourists and locals alike are fascinated not only by the neo gothic castle but also the surrounding park, designed and established in the 19th century.
For its harmony between architecture and environment, the man-made and the natural, Lednice–Valtice Area is recognised as one of the most beautiful castle complexes in Czech Republic and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1996. The area is important not only for people, but also for animals, with several parts of the park and general area of Lednice being protected as a natural heritage. It offers countless opportunities to those interested in medieval and modern history, sport, botanic and gastronomy.
Fascinating history
First mentions of a fortress near the Lednice village are from the first half of 13th century. The purpose of the first fortress was to safeguard the ford of the Thaya river. During the next few decades, the fortress became the property of the House of Liechtenstein. They safeguarded, expanded and reconstructed the Lednice Castle for 700 years, until it was confiscated by the Beneš decrees. Since 1945, the castle and the surrounding park belongs to the state.
The castle’s fascinating history shows dramatic changes in architecture during the almost eight centuries of its life. In the 16th century the castle was a perfect example of the renaissance aesthetics. Italian architect Domenico Martinelli led the reconstruction efforts that gave the building at the end of the 17th century a decidedly baroque face. Today’s mostly neo gothic style is the result of another extensive reconstruction in the second half of the 19th century.
Historical and natural sites
The Lednice Castle itself is an undisputed focal point of the whole Lednice-Valtice Area, but it would be a shame to forget about other interesting sites. Botanical lovers cannot pass by the beautiful greenhouse, adjacent to the castle. With a nice stroll in the park you can visit Moorish Revival style "minaret" - a 62 metres high observation tower from the end of 18th century. Not far you will find an artificial ruins of a Gothic revival style, John’s Castle, or the Temple of the Three Graces.
Not far from the Lednice Castle you can also visit its sibling - the Valtice Castle in the village that bears the same name. The Castle is known mostly for its delicious wine production.
What more can Lednice-Valtice Area offer
Visiting the castles, the greenhouse and the Lednice park. What more can you expect from the Lednice-Valtice Area? You can go for a walk (or take a carriage with horses) to the nearby ponds. In the summer the park is a venue for multitude of cultural and musical events.
The John Castle in the park is often a place for traditional fairs or medieval performances. The river Dyje offers opportunities for fun on water, and if you are interested in animals, don’t pass on the opportunity to see and feel beautiful falcons with the performance of the group Zayferus. And of course, you can take part in our teambuilding activities that will guide you through the most beautiful parts of the park!
How to get there and where to stay
You can get to Lednice very comfortably with your car (take the D2 highway) and leave it at one of the guarded parking spots. If you decide to take the train, get off the train at the station Podivín. From there, take a local bus that will take you to the Lednice centre in about 15 mins, or go for a little hike on the marked hiking trail. Lednice loves its tourists, so you can choose from an abundance of accommodation offers - from cheap hostels to top-class hotels.