The smallest castle in the Šariš region – Lipovce Castle
Lipovce stone castle was built by the Merse family at the beginning of the 13th century in the wider area of the village of Lipovce. It was built as an early Gothic royal castle that would guard the safety of roads leading through the Lipovce valley from Šariš to Spiš or vice versa. It was built at a strategic location at the end of the narrow, rugged promontory of the Branisko mountain range.
The castle was demolished during the kuruc wars. Despite the fact that the ruins of Lipovce Castle are little known, it is certainly worth a visit not only for its high stone tower, offering a nice view of the Lačnov Canyon, but also for the preserved remains of the castle walls. The little-known, hidden remains of Lipovce Castle are located west of the village of Lipovce, on the ridge of Jazvečí Hill (altitude of Zámčisko, 618 m. above sea level) above the well-known Lačnov Canyon. Although the castle is a ruin now, it is still an interesting work of art located in the attractive environment of the sharp, rocky ridge of the Branisko mountain range. When you look down the hill, the former castle moat is clearly visible to your left hand, the steep slopes of the Lačnov Canyon to your right hand. A little further along the ridge, there is a nice rocky lookout with a view of the gorge, Kamenná Baba and Column of Moses.
