Castles

If you look at the map, Green Slovenia is right in the centre of Europe. There are centuries and centuries of history here..

So many different empires had to march through or get around the 4 Slovenian Alps, some remained and built fortresses to defend their territory and mega rich Romans, Venetians, Hapsburgs and every sort of other European dynasty built and collected castles here as if they were playing an epic game of monopoly!

Lots & lots of forts and castles still survive, from every period in ALL shapes and sizes and condition.. Slovenia has hundreds of castles, even more than Wales and a different one to discover here every day of the year in pretty much every town & city, but with some of the best ones hidden near picture perfect villages dotted on the tops of Green hills.

Do not forget the word for Castle is GRAD and this might be all you see on a brown sign to tell you there is an amazing castle to go find! Indeed the imaginatively named Grad Grad is one of the largest castles around and so big, with a room for every day of the year, that they had to name it twice!

the daddy of them all and you only get to see this view of Predjama castle if you hike from the Lodge along the forest path..
the daddy of them all and you only get to see this view of Predjama castle if you hike from the Lodge along the forest path..

     

       

What is more, we are lucky enough to be walking distance from one of the most beautiful and the most unique castle in the world, the fairytale Predjama castle, (10 mins by car, 40 mins by foot), Predjama means the castle in front of the cave.

Yep, we can't believe our luck, it will take you just a 40 min walk along the beautiful "blacksmiths" forest stone track direct from the Lodge to Slovenia's most famous castle, which is built into a cave and hangs out over a 123m high cliff face!      

Predjama castle is in a league and class of it's own, of course, but there are many, many other terrific castles to visit here, in EVERY direction you go, each with it's own special story.. we will mention some of them here now in our CASTLE section and we also did a Blog with our own personal TOP 20 castles to date..

To see how perfectly Predjama castle is moulded into the massive cliffside cave will be the closest thing you see in Europe to what the Incas did in Peru..
To see how perfectly Predjama castle is moulded into the massive cliffside cave will be the closest thing you see in Europe to what the Incas did in Peru..

 

We know there are so many more castles here still to find, but for the moment, please click here to visit our TOP 20 Green Slovenian Castles.. 

This blog also tackles the tricky question that seems to be avoided by pretty much every other review we have ever painfully read about castles in Green Slovenia and so we needed to challenge this head on to save you valuable holiday time on your Adventures in the Greenest country in Europe..

And that is.. If you visit Ljubljana Castle, in our humble opinion, you have missed out on a much better Castle experience somewhere else in Green Slovenia..

Please, just take that in for a moment, cos this might be one of the best little Green nuggets of advice you will ever get for visiting Slovenia.. 

Seriously.. a view of vineyards, little villages and Italian Alps here in Rihemberk castle or Ljubblyjana castle.. your choice..
Seriously.. a view of vineyards, little villages and Italian Alps here in Rihemberk castle or Ljubblyjana castle.. your choice..

 

You see, there is nothing particulary wrong with Ljubljana castle.. ok, no battles, no real stories, a view of the city, but visitors just seem to sleep walk up there as part of their "Grand Tour of Slovenia", so you need to know, this is one blooper you do not need to make!

If you see a Top 20 for Slovenia which includes the world class Lake Bled or Ljubljana, one of the cutest, prettiest small European cities, or even worse, Ljubljana Castle on its own in the list, then chuck it in the bin, cos it must have been written by someone who has spent just a couple of days or minutes here in the most beautiful country in Europe.. Trust us, we know.. there are HUNDREDS of EVEN better places to go see here!

You will not find a castle like this trudging round the streets of Ljubljana, you have to be out there REALLY exploring Green Slovenia..
You will not find a castle like this trudging round the streets of Ljubljana, you have to be out there REALLY exploring Green Slovenia..

 

This Castle section will help you find just some of those other hundreds of Slovenian castles that in stark comparison to Ljubljana Grad, will be empty of tourists, full of history and adventure in Green locations you can only dream about visiting before you come to Green Slovenia!

So we challenge you right now, to shave a day or two off Ljubblyjana in your schedule, (half a day there, without the castle is enough and you can get a better view of the city from the Neboticnik cafe tower, in any case)..

Unbelievabubbly half of this Mediterranean Medieval Castle in the Vipava  Valley is used as a school.. lucky kids..
Unbelievabubbly half of this Mediterranean Medieval Castle in the Vipava Valley is used as a school.. lucky kids..

 

Some of these castles you will want to have a wedding at, some will be crumbled shells to explore, others will be stuffed full of Medieval furniture and treasure.. Many will be perched in such stunning, secret Green locations you might never have found if you had not decided to go see that particular castle..

Lords and Ladies, knights and jesters, we need to tell you that ALL are worth a vist and you just need to decide which ones to cram into your Green adventures..

So get your suit of armour on, pick up your heavy shield and start clunking around some of the most amazing OTHER Castles in Green Slovenia in absolutely no particular order.. cos everyone can find their own favourite castle here, there are so many..

 

Rihemberk castle..

This monster castle has recently been partly restored so is an excellent one for trooping around and totally exploring every nook and cranny.

Rihemberk Castle has the highest castle tower in Slovenia with the most amazing views of several wine regions, mountains and all the way over to the Italian Dolomites..

It has been lovingly restored by and is run by locals with excellent info boards to tell the stories and is in such a fantastic Green location to combine with other amazing places for a wonderful day out.

Climb up the largest castle tower in Slovenia at Rihemberk castle, with views over the Vipava valley and Goricia BRDA wine regions..
Climb up the largest castle tower in Slovenia at Rihemberk castle, with views over the Vipava valley and Goricia BRDA wine regions..

 

We had an Austrian family on their third visit to the Lodge with young kids perfect for charging around this castle and so we tipped it to them for one Sunday, along with some other locations in the stunning Vipava Wine Valley and Red Teran Karst wine region for a most unexpected perfect loop daytrip..

They arrived back at the Lodge in total shock that there was yet another Green adventure just around the corner they could not have possibly conceived doing without our tips and told us that was their very best day out in Slovenia.. amoung many other great days!

Open weekends and some week days in the summer, so check ahead..

 

Kamen castle..

Just 10 mins from Bled, but hidden away on the other side of the motorway in the village of Begunje is a massive wreck of a castle that merges perfectly into the green forests and mountains like an Inca fortress..

This gateway to the Karavanke Alps has been restored in parts by another local society so is fantastic to explore around and you must climb up the tower for the views of the Alps and imagine what life was like in this huge home..

There is a car park in the main village, just a short walk to Kamen Castle or a few very small parking spaces at the castle at the top of the village..

We just love the way Kamen castle merges into the rocks and forest as a gateway to the Karavanke Alps..
We just love the way Kamen castle merges into the rocks and forest as a gateway to the Karavanke Alps..

 

Tabor Fortress church..

We have found another class of castle specific to Slovenia here on our adventures and these are castles that were built around churches to protect them from Medieval Turkish raids.

We think these castles church are so amazing and distinctive, we did a whole section on them called Fortress Churches and one of the most amazing, unexpected castle treats you can get here in Green Slovenia would be to do a tour of just one of those at the Tabor Fortress.

Tabor castle fits like a glove around the church it protects, high on a hill.. it has seen action and is nothing short of sensational..
Tabor castle fits like a glove around the church it protects, high on a hill.. it has seen action and is nothing short of sensational..

 

The Tabor guide will explain how villagers huddled inside the high walls for protection as you look at the arrow slits and how the castle has been perfectly moulded around the beautiful church, high up on the hill above Grosuplje..

Some of you will live in newer countries, where you can only dream of finding such a gem of a Medieval castle like this one, with a stories to tell and battlements to tread.. Don't miss it, but organise a tour with the local TIC (Tourist Info Centre) first!

 

Ptuj castle..

We really love the museum packed with room after room of treasures at Ptuj castle (110 mins drive) and there is another exhibition building, high up on the hill next to the castle, overlooking Slovenia's oldest town, containing costumes from Slovenia's carnival time.

A day out to this fantastic castle could easily be combined with a tour around Slovenia's own Jeruzalem, close to Ptuj. This is a rolling wine growing region and is so beautiful, the returning Crusaders named it after the holy city.    

another fairy tale castle, this is Bogensperk.. once home to Valvasor, Slovenia's first travel guide..
another fairy tale castle, this is Bogensperk.. once home to Valvasor, Slovenia's first travel guide..

 

Bogensperk Castle..

You could combine a trip to the geographic centre of Slovenia with a visit to Bogensperk castle, (80 mins), the home of Slovenia's first travel writer, Valvasor. He was a 17th century prolific writer and publisher who brought many of Slovenia's unheard of treasures to the attention of the world, including the London Royal Society, who made him a member for his efforts. This is yet another castle that you can say, wow, great place for a wedding! Oh and kids.. Valvasor was very the first writer to publish a book containing vampires!   

 

Zuzemberk Castle..

We can't pronounce Žužemberg, so we call it "Cucumber castle" (70 mins). This castle has been recently renovated by the local townspeople and is perfect for kids to run around and explore, with hidden chambers, wooden staircases and viewpoints everywhere. It also overlooks the bottle green Krka river and is near to an impressive cascade waterfall.

 

Celje Castle..

In yet another castle location, we are really excited about the medieval knights community festival and other events on offer at Celje castle (85 mins). This is the only royal castle in Slovenia, where the last Counts of Slovenia died off many centuries ago.

Another big reason to visit Celje castle is the magnificent sunset view you might get as the sun lowers behind the mountains. You can also go up the huge tower for a quite breath taking view.    

amazing sunset from the battlements of Celje castle with a glimpse of the fab castle cafe garden below..
amazing sunset from the battlements of Celje castle with a glimpse of the fab castle cafe garden below..

 

Velenje Castle..  

The view from the top of Velenje castle (90 mins), also requires a sharp intake of breath. Here you will see how a socialist town was built to accommodate industry and house workers for the nearby coal mine, (by the way, there is also a fab coal mine museum there too). the castle is one big living, breathing museum with frescoes, an old fashioned shop and would you believe it.. a large exhibition of wooden African Pigmy masks!      

A poor chap who had explored Africa donated this amazing collection to the Velenje museum in a bizarre exchange for Yugoslavian residency was tragically knocked over by a car just days after finally settling in Velenje!

And if you want to get a little flavour of how socialism was in Slovenia, then Velenje castle is definitely the place for you as there are several rooms packed with exhibits and explanations about the development of a socialist town in the shadow of this beautiful castle on the hill.

Vipava castle is destroyed, but the hike up there is amazing and gives you fantastic views of the Vipava wine valley..
Vipava castle is destroyed, but the hike up there is amazing and gives you fantastic views of the Vipava wine valley..

 

 

Bled Castle..

As part of your daytrip to Lake Bled, you can easily hike up the side of a steep cliff to the amazing Bled castle (60 mins) overlooking the beautiful lake, with the Slovenian Alps, (Julian Alps) as the backdrop. 

Otherwise there are steps up for one of the best Alpine Lake views you are gonna get anywhere, across the lake with the little island with the church on top and the Julian Alps in the background.

Bled castle sits above it all..
Bled castle sits above it all..

 

Socerb Castle..

There is a really fantastic view and coastal hike available for Socerb castle.. You could even park up in the lower village of Kastelec and hike up to gaze over the Bay of Trieste with a view of 3 different countries!

the view from Socerb castle is absolutely stunning across the Bay of Trieste.. you can see 3 different countries too..
the view from Socerb castle is absolutely stunning across the Bay of Trieste.. you can see 3 different countries too..

 

Sneznik Castle..

Our second favourite castle in the whole of Green Slovenia (and that is saying something), is the stunning Šneznik (Snow Mountain) castle, (50 mins), in the heart of the oldest forest in Europe and such incredible value to visit!

A lot of our guests have visited Šneznik castle and combined this with a trip down the nearby Križna cave, the biggest disappearing lake in Europe at Cerknica or maybe exploring the wonders of a huge rock nature park marked by 2 massive stone arches, Rakov Skocjan..

Sneznik castle is as pretty as a picture and almost completely ignored by tourists.. what a tradgedy..

 

We know a local guide who becomes the gracious Lady of the Castle, Countess Greta and can take you walking here and you could also book a horse carriage ride into the forest.. just ask! There is also usually a knights tournament held here every summer with jousting and hog roasts.    

     

Look up in Green Slovenia and you will see a church or a castle dotted along the forested horizons or leaning out over cliffs! Wherever there is a vantage point over a valley or forest in Slovenia, you can be pretty sure to find a castle or tower controlling who comes and goes and to spot the raiding parties arriving throughout history.

A castle can be the focal point of your day or just a pleasant stop off as part of a bigger schedule. For example, you can visit a castle as part of a wine tour trip, en route cycling or hiking, or maybe you could also spend your time painting or sketching a castle on your own painting holiday?     

Step inside the Turjak castle courtyard and go back to Medieval times..
Step inside the Turjak castle courtyard and go back to Medieval times..

 

Turjak Castle, a proper Castle..

We had an absolutely fantastic visit to Turjak castle, to the south of Ljubljana, which was home to a noble family that controlled more than enough castles than needed to win that medieval game of monopoly!

Immediately as you walk through the entrance gate the courtyard is exactly how you would imagine a working castle, with smoke lifting from a fire, wooden benches outside the tavern and a mish mash of looming stone walls enclosing it all.

Ditch Ljubljana castle for Turjak, get some fresh air and see a proper castle..
Ditch Ljubljana castle for Turjak, get some fresh air and see a proper castle..

 

Inside the castle is huge and it is really surprising how much there is to see here, including so many weapons and suits of armour.. all hand made. Step carefully into the murky dungeon, which has poor models, at least we hope they are models, being tortured to death.. We really loved Turjak castle and there is even a pub where you can also get food there.. a proper castle!

Having visited Sevnica and Rahjenburg castles within a few miles of each other along the mighty Sava river a thought came ito our minds for the most excellent day out here.. how about taking a bike and cycling along the river path between the two fortresses.. what a day!

 

Sevnica Castle..

Sevnica is a more traditional looking castle, looming high over the river with the best gardens we have see for a castle in Slovenia! There are huge trees and lots of flowers including lots of roses. 

There are stone lions guarding the entrance and we recommend you book ahead and take a tour here as there is a lot to see, especially the secret fresco and the childrens puppet room.. YOu can also buy local wine here in the cellar and the monks also made rather good honey.

magnificent restored corridor at Sevnica castle..
magnificent restored corridor at Sevnica castle..

 

Rahjenberg Castle..

Then just 17km down the river at Brestanica you could visit the monstrous Rahjenburg castle with a door that will make you feel small, a fantastic cobbled courtyard and a dark display about the days when the Nazis were in charge and the castle was effectively a women's prison.

You absolutely must go up to the roof, so if this is closed go and politely bend the arm of the lovely guide there and see the craziest collection of 500 yr old wooden beams you could imagine.. ALL holing up the roof!

To round it all off this castle was bought by a load og French monks a long time ago and they made chocolate to a secret recipe sending it all around Europe! The good news there is some left in the chocolate shop opposite!

Vipolze castle is another of those very secret places you might stumble upon and have a wonderfully unexpected afternoon visit..
Vipolze castle is another of those very secret places you might stumble upon and have a wonderfully unexpected afternoon visit..

 

And don't forget how close Lipizzaner Lodge is to Italy and Croatia.. there are lots of amazing castles there too..

There are 2 incredible coastal castellos to visit near Trieste. One, Duino castle (45 mins), has a fantastic breezy cliff walk on rocky Karst stone with views along the Adriatic coast and the castle. You could also go to the Italian seaside during this day out. Another beautiful castle is Miramar castle (50 mins), with a huge Hapsburg created park attached and amazing sea views.  

Trieste itself has a castle at the top of the town up a series of steps near the Roman ampitheatre.. the castle is not much cop, but the view over this coastal city is well worth it!

the beautifully positioned Kluze fortress became obsolete in WW1 when the guns got bigger!
the beautifully positioned Kluze fortress became obsolete in WW1 when the guns got bigger!

 

We haven't made it into Muggia castello yet as it is always closed when we go there, but again the sea view and vista over the multicoloured old town makes it well worth the walk up!

All along the Istrian coastline there are little hill top villages and castles overlooking the islands and Adriatic sea.

There are an awful lot of hills in Green Slovenia and crumbled castles all over the place, with enough stone and rock to provide excting exploration and to conjure up memories or trigger the imagination.. these are European treasures and we hope some day they will be properly restored and then Slovenia will become a true Castle superpower!!

These ruined castles are a great place to stop off for a quick visit, stretch the legs and have a sandwich break.. they are everywhere, so easy to drop into on the way to whichever day trip adventure you are planning for the day. It might be you see a brown sign for GRAD, so if you do just look up to see where the nearest hill is and follow the sign to the mysterious castle.

still plenty to explore and a breath taking view at Predil fortress..
still plenty to explore and a breath taking view at Predil fortress..

 

Some of these castles have been taken over by the private sector and usually become hotels, the most famous example is the beautiful Otocec castle hotel which sits on an island in the bottle green Krka river.

BUT don't be shy, Slovenia is a country without snobbishness, so no matter how posh or private a place looks, just go in and smile and that is what we did at Otocec and pretty soon we were sat in their cafe room tucking in to a fantastic blueberry cake with an exclusive view to the interior courtyard.. now that is a place to have coffee.. and you can also eat here!

One motorway junction back from Otocec, we always notice a castle high up in the hills on the other side of the motorway and we asked lots of locals about it but noone seemed to know what its name was! We even tried to google and go, but got completely lost, but one day we will ge there!

You really should book a table in advance at the castle, Grad restaurant in Stanjel hill top village in the Kras wine region.. the restaurant has a fantastic open outdoor terrace inside the huge castle walls with the resturant inside.

the defensive castle wall around Stanjel in the Teran Kras wine region..
the defensive castle wall around Stanjel in the Teran Kras wine region..

 

We also have Mokrice castle used for a 1980's Pet Shop Boys video that is now a hotel on our go visit list.. we spotted it from the motorway.. it is just before the border with Croatia towards Zagreb and so we looked it up and you could have knocked us down with a feather when we made the connection with the video and watched it on You tube.. so here is the link to Pet Shop Boys.. Heart.. at Mokrice castle!

(Old people please explain to spotty young people who the Pet Shop Boys were and how music is just nowhere near as good now as it used to be)! 

We found a great castle crumbling away on top of a hill with amazing views over the Ljubljana valley at Smlednik (35 mins). This castle has such an amazing location and 360 degree vista that it is now a very popular wedding location with wonderful newly built dancing platform .. book early to avoid disappointment.

the castle garden terrace tucked inside the wall at Stanjel..
the castle garden terrace tucked inside the wall at Stanjel..

 

There will always usually be a fantastic view from these crumbling castles, none more so phenomenal than the Mali Grad, (little castle) with incredible views over Kamnik old town, the river and to the mountains.

Kromberk castle near Nova Gorica is a real rennaissence castello, with a chilling exhibition how the Fascist Italian state forced Slovenians living in the occupied Slovenian zone to speak Italian between the two world wars.. hopefully that one will get some English translations. 

Italian style rennaissence castello of Kromberk, near Nova Goricia..
Italian style rennaissence castello of Kromberk, near Nova Goricia..

 

We haven't tried the new restaurant just opened at the castle, but next time we head up to the Soca river, this is exactly where we will stop off for lunch!

Two final crumbled castles to mention that are pretty much destroyed, but still have bits to explora and sit high up on the top of beautiful hills and are totally worth the hike up for the fantastic views are Tolmin castle and Vipava castle for sensational views of the Lower Soca and Vipava valleys respectively.

there is an amazing hike up to crumbled Tolmin castle and stunning views of the lower Soca valley from that perfectly shaped hill down below..
there is an amazing hike up to crumbled Tolmin castle and stunning views of the lower Soca valley from that perfectly shaped hill down below..

        

One final little tip that might serve you well if you do follow our advice and go to see one of these special secret castles is to PHONE AHEAD to make sure the castle is open for your intended day to visit..

They usually are open, but just check which TIC, (Tourist Information Centre) is nearest your castle and give them a bell to check.. 

In the Gallery below, please find some more photos of just some of those other amazing castles you might find on your adventures around Green Slovenia.. 

We cannot urge you enough to be curious and go explore.. even if there is nobody around.. that is quite normal in little old Slovenia.. happy hunting!

Email: info@lipizzanerlodge.com

Address: Landol 17, Postojna 6230, Slovenia

Phone: +386 5620 3443
Mobile: +386 40 47 0239 or +386 40 37 8037

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