Litoměřice Wine Trail
The area through which the Litoměřice Wine Trail route passes is undoubtedly one of the richest in terms of nature and one of the most attractive tourist attractions in the Protected Landscape Area of the Central Bohemian Uplands.
The official beginning of the Litoměřice Wine Trail is in the yard of Litoměřice Castle, but you may join it anywhere and follow just some parts of it. Its total length is over 15 kilometres and it runs on both banks of the Labe river.
There are nine information boards along the trail that will guide you through the interesting places of the wine-producing region of Litoměřice. From Litoměřice, it will take you to the top of Radobýl hill, where you will find one of the boards. It continues to Žalhostice, Velké Žernoseky, then - taking a ferry - to Malé Žernoseky, and through Lhotka village to Lovosice where the Litoměřice Wine Trail finishes.
Following the trail, you may have a chance to visit the well-known local wine producers and taste their wines. We believe that you will enjoy the trip and love the wine.
Stops
Litoměřice – castle
Dear visitors, welcome to the Litoměřice wine trail. This is the place where the trail begins. However, it is possible to connect to the trail practically anywhere and use only part of it. The total length of the trail is just over 15 km, on both banks of the Elbe.
Litoměřice wine subregion and viticulture in Litoměřice
Litoměřice was in the past the second largest wine center in the Czech lands. Wine and viticulture has a long tradition here. The oldest mention of wine and winemakers in Litoměřice dates back to 1057. Charles IV, who initiated the establishment of vineyards in royal towns and supported winemakers, had a great influence on the development of viticulture in Litoměřice and its surroundings. The Litoměřice subregion was at its peak in the Middle Ages (in terms of viticulture).
Most vineyards were in this area during the reign of Rudolf II, when virtually the entire Elbe valley was planted with vines. In the last few centuries, however, viticulture in the Litoměřice region has been in decline. It was only after 1989 that new small wineries were established and now the fame of Litoměřice wines is being gradually restored. The Litoměřice subregion is part of the Bohemia wine region and has about 290 ha of vineyards in 30 towns and villages.
Litoměřice
There are many interesting tourist destinations in the royal town of Litoměřice. In the very center, it is the Kalich lookout tower, from which you can see the entire historic city center and its surrounding area. Then there are the expositions like Richard's Mine in the Changes of Time, Mach's Room, José Rizal's Fences or the Cathedral of St. Stephen's on Dome Hill. The “Sváťovo Divadlo” Gallery is usually very attractive for children.
LITOMĚŘICE CASTLE WITH EXHIBITION OF CZECH WINERY
The castle was built in the 13th century and is one of the oldest buildings in Litoměřice. It was significantly rebuilt and expanded during the reign of Charles IV. in the 14th century. Later, however, it served more for economic purposes, it even functioned as a brewery. Sadly not much of the original castle has been preserved. At the beginning of the 21st century, a gradual reconstruction began and now the castle serves as a multicultural space. From the point of view of viticulture, the castle is a very popular and attractive destination.
Visitors can see an exhibition on Czech viticulture here. It shows large-format photographs, a presentation of wine regions and also the possibility of wine tasting. There is also a tasting room, wine archive or restaurant in the castle.
WHERE TO GO NOW?
The trail now continues through Komenského and Liškova streets in the direction of Radobýl and further in the direction of Žalhostice. Above Žalhostice is another stop on our wine trail.
Tips for tourist destinations in the area
- Fortress City and Memorial Terezín
- Ploskovice Castle
- Ruins of Kalich Castle