Likava Castle, the largest castle ruin in the Liptov region and one of the largest castles in central Slovakia, was built in the first half of the 14th century by the governor of Zvolen and Liptov, Magister Knight Donč, following the consolidation of political relations. The first written mention of the already existing castle dates back to 1341. The castle protected a new and important route – the country road from Buda to Poland, which led through what is today Dolný Kubín.
After linking the regions of Liptov, Turiec, and Orava through the Váh Valley between Ružomberok and Kraľovany, the castle’s strategic importance grew even further due to its location at the crossroads of the main trade routes. The data on the castle’s area are also impressive: including the western forecourt, hidden in the forest, and two artificial earth platforms to the east, it covers an area of 538 x 238 metres.
The castle is still a valuable example of the castle architecture from the late Gothic and early Renaissance periods, as evidenced by the number of preserved architectural elements, window frames, gargoyles, murder holes, loopholes, fireplace torsos and chimney shells and façade decorations. The high, slender walls of the palaces of the upper castle, growing out of the edges of the castle cliff, or the bold s-shaped vaulting of the walls of the former castle tower and the southern palace indicate the architectural skill, courage and subtle aesthetic feeling of those who built it, who were able to combine the beauty of human work with the splendour of the surrounding landscape. The lower castle at Likava is accessible during the summer exclusively to hikers walking along the red-marked tourist trail that leads to Predný Choč.
The exhibition “Treasures from under Likava”, which presents a unique treasure found near the castle, is housed in the Liptov Museum in Ružomberok. The treasure consisted of 1,870 coins, two of which were ducats of Louis II, and 1,868 small Hungarian silver coins from the 15th and 16th centuries. The castle, today owned by the Žilina Self-Governing Region, is managed by the Liptov Museum in Ružomberok.
Starting in 2025, the castle is closed to the public, as it is undergoing comprehensive renovation that focuses on protecting and preserving elements of the castle’s architecture. Aside from the renovation itself, an exhibition will also be added to the castle, and once the work is complete, previously inaccessible parts of the castle complex will be opened to the public. The renovation is expected to continue at least until the end of 2026.

Did you know…?
Likava Castle is also known for its legends about the Lady in Black and the ghost of the murdered servant – the guardian of the Thököly treasures. Helena Krušičová, who had a compassionate and kind relationship with the subjects of the Likava estate, began to appear after her death as the Lady in Black. It is said that when she walks through the fields and caresses the ripening grain, she protects the harvest from storms, winds and hail. When she blesses the surrounding fields from the castle windows, it means that the harvest will be good and rich. On the last night before the fall of Likava, which was being besieged by the imperial army, Stephen II Thököly, together with his most loyal servant, hid the family treasures in the underground castle cellars. In the end, the count dealt his loyal companion an unexpected fatal blow, so that he alone would know the secret of the Likava treasures and their hiding place. Since then, night after night, the ghost of the murdered servant has tirelessly wandered the ruins of the castle, faithfully guarding the Thököly family’s gold, gemstones and pearls, and he will destroy any brazen treasure hunter who is looking for Count Stefan’s hidden wealth.