Lipová Castle is a striking Baroque ruin standing in a quiet border village in the Děčín region, one of the Czech Republic's most notable endangered monuments. Roofless and weathered, it still impresses with its scale and history.

Built in the 1730s under Count Leopold Antonín Salm-Reifferscheidt and likely designed by Italian architect Girolamo Costa, the castle has survived largely unaltered in form, though decades of neglect have taken a heavy toll. The collapsed roofs and exposed timber frames give it an almost haunting presence against the peaceful countryside. The surrounding former park, cleared of overgrowth in recent years, reveals hidden features like a Baroque fountain, adding to the atmosphere of quiet discovery, especially in autumn light or misty mornings.

How to get there

• Village of Lipová, Ústí Region - accessible via local road, castle visible from the main road, easy access
• Walking around the castle grounds - flat terrain, suitable for most visitors

Practical information

• Owned since 2011 by the civic association Via Tempora Nova, which is working on its restoration
• Listed as a protected cultural monument and on the register of endangered heritage sites
• A Baroque fountain was rediscovered on the grounds after clearing overgrown vegetation
• Hosts the Lipová Music Festival, a series of benefit concerts supporting the restoration

Fun fact: the castle reportedly has seven staircases, twelve chimneys, 52 rooms, and 365 windows and doors - mirroring the days, months, weeks, and days of the year.