Lčovice: Castle, Věnec Hillfort and Celtic Festival

Lčovice brings together local and castle history with the cultural landscape around Věnec Hillfort. The village is divided into an upper part around the castle and a lower part near the railway station in the Volyňka valley. This layout is useful when planning your trip: hiking trails to the hillfort start at the station, while various historical themes and events offer further reasons to stay. If you are looking for a hotel in Lčovice, plans for trails, cultural history or an event date may influence your choice of travel dates.

Castle and Local History

Lčovice Castle is a protected cultural monument. The castle park contains a Baroque garden pavilion and a hunting lodge. A hunting tower near the castle bears the combined coat of arms of the Hýzrl of Chodů and Eleonora Alžběta of Donín above its entrance. These historical details reveal different aspects of the village: from the estate and its buildings to the names associated with its history.

Josef Zítek is also part of this history. The architect, known as the builder of the National Theatre, married Berta, the daughter of the local castle family, at Lčovice Castle in 1881. Above Lčovice stands the Chapel of Saint Anthony of Padua, dating from 1714. Thus, the documented history extends from the castle and its surroundings to a building above the village.

Věnec Hillfort and Trails in the Surrounding Area

The 765-metre-high Věnec hill lies southeast of Lčovice. The triangular Věnec Hillfort is located near Lčovice, and its ramparts are about 1.5 kilometres long in total. The entrance gate to the acropolis is still clearly visible. The hillfort was a functioning settlement during the Hallstatt and La Tène periods and was of regional importance.

A trail about 2.7 kilometres long leads from Lčovice railway station to the hillfort. It first follows an easy forest track, then a steeply climbing path. A blue-marked hiking trail to the hillfort also starts at the railway station. As trail conditions can change with the seasons, it is advisable to check the route before setting out.

When considering the distances, it is useful to distinguish between the trail to the hillfort and a longer route: the tourist route “Turistická trasa krajem Jiřiny Jiráskové a pradávné jeskyně” is about 18 kilometres long and passes through Lčovice. From Čkyně, you can also reach Lčovice railway station along an approximately 3.3-kilometre field track beside the Volyňka; taking the train is another option. Check trail conditions and current train services before travelling.

Celtic Traditions and Events

A recurring event, “Putování Keltskou stezkou,” is held here. Its 27-kilometre route starts in Kubova Huť; in Lčovice, it is accompanied by a Celtic celebration. The festival includes an authentic Celtic camp and demonstrations of historical crafts and weapons. Craft markets, creative workshops for children, horse rides and gold panning are also part of the cultural programme. Specific activities may vary from one edition to another. If you would like to plan your trip around an event, check the date and programme for the relevant edition.

Another opportunity to include Věnec in your travel plans is the annual climb to the summit on 1 January. The arrangements may vary. Different dates and formats are therefore possible: a recurring Celtic celebration with a longer route, a climb at the start of the year, or trails to the hillfort starting at the railway station. Which option suits your stay depends on whether you are more interested in the event, the archaeological history or a hike.

Discover more destinations: Vlachovo Brezí, Olšovice, Lažiště, Bošice, Zálezly, Strunkovice Nad Blanicí, Záblatí U Prachatic, Chlumany.

For the broader travel overview: Prachatice District.