Velenje Castle

Velenje Castle (Slovene: Velenjski grad) is a well-preserved castle in Velenje, Slovenia that was owned by the Kunšperk family, followed by their Ptuj relatives and the Lichtenberg family. The castle houses a museum of art and culture.

The castle, above its town Velenje, is in the Šalek Valley (Slovene: Šaleška dolina), located on the top of a hill to the west of the town. Over the centuries this castle, along with two others in its vicinity, Šalek and Ekenštajn, has played a key role in controlling the routes from the Celje Basin to Carinthia. Archaeological excavations have revealed that the valley where the castle is located was the settlement of prehistoric man. Since medieval times, Velenje Castle in the Šalek Valley was also known as the "Valley of Castles" for the over twenty castles built in this valley.

Approach to the castle is from a foot track from the bus station in the town, and also by road from the old town.

The castle was a strategically important fortress first mentioned in 1270; from it various owners controlled the routes from the Celje Basin to Carinthia. From the 14th century onward, the castle's ownership went through several noblemen. The castle seen in the present shape was fully refurbished in the early 16th century by the Wagen von Wagensberg family and also in subsequent centuries. Following the complete renovation, the castle became their Renaissance residence. In 1603, the castle was purchased by the von Sauer family and remained in their possession until 1797. In the 19th century, Karl and Bianca Adamovich de Csepin owned the castle. In 1918, the family sold the castle to their relatives, the noble Italian family Coronini von Cronberg from Gorizia, who were the last owners of the castle.

It was used as the summer residence of Counts Corinini until 1943, when he was evicted by the Germans. After World War II, it became a government property. The castle was again renovated after 1957 and it now also houses a museum.

The castle has been built conforming to the topography of the land, on a rounded hill. It has a five-pronged exterior wall forming a large courtyard, which has a well and also a large flowerbed combined with an elegant arcade. A defense tower, a triangular shaped fortification, is built as part of the wall on the northeastern side of the courtyard.

Text adapted from “Velenje Castle” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Velenje Castle ranks #3,803 of 7,738 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #19 of the 36 mapped in Slovenia. Founded 1270, it is older than 68% of the atlas's dated landmarks — one of 825 atlas entries founded in the 13th century. 2 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Maribor, 45 km away. See how Slovenia compares in the castle statistics.

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Read the full history on Wikipedia ↗