1. Home
  2. Lviv
  3. High Castle in Lviv: History, Viewpoint and Lion Mountain
Lviv Parks

High Castle in Lviv: History, Viewpoint and Lion Mountain

Leo Apartment
  • 6 min read
  • 13 views
Autumn road up to Castle Hill in Lviv with the TV tower on top

High Castle Park in Lviv is the highest point of the historic city and Lviv’s best-known viewpoint. From the top of Castle Hill, 413 metres above sea level, you can see the rooftops of the Old Town, church towers and the green hills around.

A princely and later royal castle once stood here, and a fragment of its wall survives. Today it is a park of about 35 hectares with paths, a grotto and an artificial mound. Here is the history of the hill, what to see and how to get to the top.

Where Is the High Castle

The park lies on Castle Hill, north-east of Rynok Square. The main entrance is from Kryvonosa Street, and there is another from Zamkova Street. Many paths also lead up from the Pidzamche district.

It is a 15–20 minute walk from Rynok Square to the main entrance, then another 15–20 minutes up to the top. There is no public transport to the park itself, so it is easiest to walk or take a taxi to Kryvonosa Street.

Winding paved path among autumn trees in High Castle Park in Lviv
A winding path in the park in autumn.

History of the High Castle

The Princely Castle

According to 16th–17th-century chronicles, the first fortifications on the hill were built by Prince Lev Danylovych. They were timber and earth structures: in 1259 they were dismantled at the demand of Khan Burundai and rebuilt in 1270. In 1340, when the Polish king Casimir III captured Lviv, the wooden castle was burned.

The Stone Castle

At the end of the 14th century a new stone castle rose on the hill. It served as the residence of the starost and as a prison: prisoners taken after the Battle of Grunwald in 1410 were held here. In 1648 the castle was captured by Maksym Kryvonis’s troops and in 1672 by a Turkish-Tatar army.

From Ruins to a Park

After 1772 the Austrian authorities began to dismantle the fortifications, and in the early 19th century most of the walls were taken away as building material. Afforestation of the hill began in 1835, and in 1839 it was levelled and planted with trees and shrubs, creating the park. It was laid out by the gardener Karl Bauer with Arnold Röhring. Today it is a protected landmark of landscape art.

Castle Hill in autumn with the TV tower above Lviv’s Old Town, the dome of the Dominican Church in the foreground
Castle Hill with the TV tower, seen from the City Hall tower.

What to See

  • The mound and viewpoint. The artificial mound at the top was raised in 1869–1900 to mark the 300th anniversary of the Union of Lublin. It offers the best panorama of Lviv.
  • A fragment of the wall. The southern wall of the former outer bailey is all that remains of the castle.
  • The lower terrace. Another viewpoint (1967), the gardener’s house from 1868 and an artificial grotto with a well from 1845.
  • Stone lions. Lions from 1619 that once stood at the old town hall on Rynok Square, moved here in 1874.
  • The TV tower. The 192-metre television tower from 1957 is a landmark visible from all over the city.
  • Memorial stones. On the lower terrace, on the Pidzamche side, stands a memorial stone to King John III Sobieski (1883). Another memorial, from 1948, marks the storming of the castle by Maksym Kryvonis’s troops in 1648.
  • The old approach road. The historic road up to the former fortress has survived. The park’s information board calls it practically the oldest street in Lviv.
Red-and-white lattice TV tower on Castle Hill in Lviv against a cloudy sky
The TV tower on Castle Hill can be seen from all over the city.

Lion Mountain

Next to Castle Hill rises Lion Mountain, formerly known as Sand Hill. In the early 20th century it was home to a European-style amusement park with carousels, swings and pavilions, and in winter its slopes were used for sledging and skiing. Today there is a viewpoint at the top of Lion Mountain overlooking both the High Castle and the city centre. It is also called Lysa (Bald) Hill and rises to 389 m above sea level. Read more in our guide to Znesinnia Park.

Sandstone slopes of Lion Mountain with a wooden fence on top above the rooftops
The sandstone slopes of Lion Mountain above the rooftops.

Tips for Your Walk

View of Lviv through bare branches from the slope of Castle Hill, a factory chimney in the distance
The city seen through branches from the hillside.
  • When to go. Sunset is the most beautiful time, when the sun sets behind the Old Town, and autumn, when the slopes turn yellow and red.
  • Footwear. The paths are steep and the stairs to the mound are uneven in places, so wear comfortable shoes.
  • How long. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the climb, the views and the descent.
  • With a dog. Park rules require dogs to be on a lead and muzzled.
  • Spring water. Only drink it after boiling.
  • Wind. In strong wind it is better to postpone your walk, as large branches can fall.
  • By bike. The international R-60 cycling route “Visit the bears” starts in the park: 26 km to the Domazhyr Bear Sanctuary, about 2 h 40 min.
  • Nearby. The Heavenly Hundred Heroes Memorial is next to the Kryvonosa Street entrance, and Znesinnia Park is a 20-minute walk away.

Near the park’s main entrance is the Heavenly Hundred Heroes Memorial, and at the foot of the hill stands the ancient Church of St. John the Baptist.

Where to Stay Nearby

The closest of our apartments to the park are the apartment on Danyla Halytskoho Square and the apartment at 30 Zamarstynivska Street: from either one it is about an 11–13-minute walk to the High Castle park, plus the climb to the top.

See more options in our apartments for rent in Lviv section.

Planning a trip? Book an apartment in Lviv directly, with no intermediaries or commission, and watch the sunset from the High Castle.

Nearest Leo Apartment flats

Times are walking routes; distant places show the straight-line distance.

FAQ about the High Castle

Is there an entrance fee for the High Castle?

No, the park is open and free to enter.

How do I get to the High Castle?

Walk from Rynok Square to the Kryvonosa Street entrance in 15–20 minutes, then climb to the top. There is no public transport to the park.

How high is the High Castle?

The top of the mound is 413 metres above sea level, the highest point of historic Lviv.

Has the castle survived?

No, only a fragment of the southern wall remains. The fortifications were dismantled in Austrian times.

What is Lion Mountain?

A neighbouring hill, formerly known as Sand Hill, with a viewpoint at the top.

How did you like this article?

Share

Read also

Join the discussion

Popular Accommodations

Popular
Bright bedroom with a large bed and curtains in the apartment on Pluhova Street, Lviv
Bedroom with a double bed and balcony access in the two-bedroom apartment on Pluhova Street
Bedroom with a double bed and a sliding wardrobe in the apartment on Pluhova Street
Wardrobe with mirrors and a double bed in the bedroom of the apartment on Pluhova Street
Balcony with a view over the city in the apartment on Pluhova Street
Window view of the buildings and greenery, two-bedroom apartment on Pluhova Street
Living room with a blue corner sofa and TV in the apartment on Pluhova Street
Blue corner sofa with a throw in the living room of the apartment on Pluhova Street
Spacious living room with a window, sofa and clothes rack in the apartment on Pluhova Street
Wall-mounted TV and TV unit in the living room of the apartment on Pluhova Street
Living room with a TV, parquet floor and chandelier in the two-bedroom apartment on Pluhova Street
Kitchen with a dining area and balcony access in the apartment on Pluhova Street
Round dining table with wooden chairs in the kitchen of the apartment on Pluhova Street
Kitchen units with a gas hob, oven and cooker hood in the apartment on Pluhova Street
Kitchen with dark units, a sink and oven in the two-bedroom apartment on Pluhova Street
Fridge and dining table in the kitchen of the apartment on Pluhova Street
Balcony with chairs and a city view in the apartment on Pluhova Street
Washing machine and dryer in a separate room of the apartment on Pluhova Street
Washing machine, dryer, vacuum cleaner and iron in the apartment on Pluhova Street
Bathroom with a shower cabin, washbasin and toilet in the apartment on Pluhova Street
Shower, washbasin and chequered tiles in the bathroom of the apartment on Pluhova Street
Heated towel rail and shower cabin in the bathroom of the apartment on Pluhova Street
Entrance hall with a wardrobe and a view of the kitchen and rooms, apartment on Pluhova Street
Entrance hall with a dark wardrobe in the two-bedroom apartment on Pluhova Street
Entrance door and a wardrobe with shelves in the hallway of the apartment on Pluhova Street
From 2200 UAH / Night

One-Bedroom Apartment on Pluhova Street with High Castle View

  • 1
  • 1
  • 5
One-Bedroom Apartment on Pluhova Street with High Castle View
Popular
Kitchen with white cabinets and a dining table in the apartment on Doroshenka Street, Lviv
Kitchen with white cabinets and a black worktop in the apartment on Doroshenka Street in Lviv
Kitchen with a black fridge, gas hob and sink in the apartment on Doroshenka Street
Dining area by the window and a view into the bedroom, apartment on Doroshenka Street
Hallway with a mirror and a view of the dining area in the apartment on Doroshenka Street
Round dining table with black chairs by the window in the apartment on Doroshenka Street
Kitchen with a black splashback and a dining table in the apartment on Doroshenka Street
Set dining table by the window in the apartment on Doroshenka Street
Place settings with glasses and decor on the dining table, apartment on Doroshenka Street
Plates and glasses on the black dining table in the apartment on Doroshenka Street
Yellow decorative vase and glasses in the kitchen of the apartment on Doroshenka Street
Gas hob and washing machine in the kitchen of the apartment on Doroshenka Street
Bright entrance hall with a console, vases and the entrance door in the apartment on Doroshenka Street
Floating console with vases and a reed diffuser in the hallway, apartment on Doroshenka Street
Wall-mounted clothes rail with hangers in the hallway of the apartment on Doroshenka Street
Bedroom with a double bed and white wardrobe in the apartment on Doroshenka Street, Lviv
Bedroom with a double bed, wardrobe and TV in the apartment on Doroshenka Street
Double bed, shelves and a white wardrobe in the bedroom of the apartment on Doroshenka Street
Bedroom with a double bed and light wardrobes in the apartment on Doroshenka Street
From 2200 UAH / Night

Cozy Studio No. 4 on Doroshenka Street

  • 1
  • 1
  • 2
Cozy Studio No. 4 on Doroshenka Street
Popular
Bedroom with a double bed and a desk in the two-bedroom apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Bedroom with a double bed, curtains and TV in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Bedroom with a double bed, TV and window in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Bedroom with a double bed and a workspace in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street, Lviv
Bedroom with a bed, TV and desk in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Desk with a chair in the bedroom of the two-bedroom apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Bedroom with a dressing table, round mirror and window in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Wall-mounted TV and dressing table with a mirror in the bedroom, apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Desk with a lamp and chair in the bedroom of the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Workspace with a desk and a bedside table in the bedroom, apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Dressing table with a round mirror and a blue pouffe in the bedroom, apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Second bedroom with a blue bed and a painting in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street, Lviv
Bedroom with a blue velvet bed, TV and curtains, apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Bedroom with a double bed and a wall-mounted TV in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Double bed with a blue headboard and a painting above it in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Bedroom with a blue bed and a yellow sofa in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Yellow sofa in the bedroom of the two-bedroom apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Yellow sofa with cushions and a bed in the bedroom, apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Bed with a blue velvet headboard and a bedside table in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Bathroom with a shower cabin and a vessel sink in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Bathroom with a toilet, heated towel rail and washbasin in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Glass shower cabin and washbasin in the bathroom of the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Hallway from the kitchen to the rooms and bathroom in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Hallway with a mirror and hooks in the two-bedroom apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Kitchen with a dining table, blue chairs and washing machine in the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Kitchen-dining room with a fridge and a doorway to the hallway, apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Kitchen with a fridge, sink and dining area in the two-bedroom apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Set table and the entrance door in the kitchen of the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Dining table with blue velvet chairs in the kitchen of the apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Window view of the historic buildings on Mentsynskoho Street in Lviv
Mentsynskoho Street and the townhouses opposite the apartment, window view
From 2900 UAH / Night

Cozy Two-Bedroom Apartment on Mentsynskoho Street

  • 2
  • 1
  • 6
Cozy Two-Bedroom Apartment on Mentsynskoho Street
Popular
Sleeping area with a double bed and a large window in the apartment on Stefanyka Street
Room with a bed and a seating area with a sofa in the apartment on Stefanyka Street, Lviv
Seating area with a sofa and an electric fireplace in the apartment on Stefanyka Street
Sofas, a glass table and a decorative partition in the apartment on Stefanyka Street
Kitchen with a colourful wall mural in the apartment on Stefanyka Street
Original wall mural and the entrance to the kitchen in the apartment on Stefanyka Street
Kitchen with wooden units, a gas hob and oven in the apartment on Stefanyka Street
Bathroom with a washbasin and toilet in the apartment on Stefanyka Street
Sliding wardrobe with a printed panorama of Lviv in the apartment on Stefanyka Street
Balcony view of the Potocki Palace and its park, apartment on Stefanyka Street
Shower cabin, washing machine and heated towel rail in the apartment on Stefanyka Street
Double bed with bedside tables and lamps in the apartment on Stefanyka Street
From 2200 UAH / Night

Studio Apartment on Stefanyka Street

  • 1
  • 1
  • 4
Studio Apartment on Stefanyka Street
Popular
Double bed with a grey bedspread and a pendant lamp, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Bedroom with a mirrored wardrobe and a terracotta bed in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Bedroom with a terracotta bed and accent wall in the two-bedroom apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Bedroom with a bedside table, lamp and bed in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Bedroom with a bed, TV and window in the two-bedroom apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Double bed with decorative cushions by the window, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Bed with grey cushions and a bedspread in the bedroom, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Double bed by a curtained window in the bedroom, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Bedroom with a terracotta bed and a vase of flowers in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Bed with an upholstered headboard and bedside tables on both sides, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Terracotta headboard, grey cushions and bedside table in the bedroom, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Vase of dried flowers on the bedside table in the bedroom, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Bedroom with a mirrored sliding wardrobe and dressing table in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Second bedroom with a beige bed and a throw in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Bedroom with a beige bed and a wall-mounted TV in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Bed with cushions and a TV in the second bedroom, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Bathroom with a wall-hung toilet, vessel sink and round mirror, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Walk-in shower and washbasin with a backlit mirror in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Round backlit mirror and shower in the bathroom, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Bathroom with wood-effect panels and a vessel sink in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Washbasin on a dark vanity, hairdryer and wall-hung toilet in the bathroom, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Living room with a blue sofa and kitchen in the two-bedroom apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Blue sofa, mirror and kitchen area in the living room of the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Kitchen with a wooden island and bar stools in the two-bedroom apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Breakfast bar with place settings and a wall-mounted TV in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Kitchen with a black oven, dark splashback and wooden bar, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Kitchen-living room with a blue sofa and breakfast bar in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Living room with a blue sofa, TV and dining bar, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Set wooden breakfast bar and kitchen in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Place settings with glasses on the wooden breakfast bar, apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Blue sofa with cushions and a kitchen with an oven in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Plates and a wine glass on the wooden bar in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
Living room with a blue sofa and a kitchen with an island in the apartment on Zamarstynivska Street
From 2950 UAH / Night

Cozy Two-Bedroom Flat on Zamarstynivska Street

  • 2
  • 1
  • 6
Cozy Two-Bedroom Flat on Zamarstynivska Street

Єдина проблема це парковка в центрі! в усьому іншому просто прекрасна квартира. Швидкий «безконтактний» чек-ін,…

Дуже рекомендую це помешкання. Розташування шикарне. Цікавий квест з під'їздом дуже піднімає настрій. Відчуття львівського…

Дуже гарна, сучасна квартира. Нам все сподобалось!