In August 2026, Negova Castle will once again invite visitors to Castle Day, opening its gates for a lively celebration of history, crafts, gastronomy and community. Visitors can experience the castle’s historic atmosphere, regional traditions, guided tours and a varied cultural programme. Castle Day shows how a historic site becomes a meeting place for locals and guests – and how cultural heritage remains alive through shared experiences.

Link: Visit Radgona – Grajski dan

From 7 to 9 August 2026, Kőszeg will once again become a historical stage: during the 19th Kőszeg Siege Days, the town and Jurisics Castle commemorate the legendary defence against the Ottoman army in 1532. Visitors can look forward to a lively weekend with historical re-enactments, music, market life, family activities and the impressive staging of the siege. The event shows how European history can be experienced in the heart of the town and why Kőszeg is such a special place within the Castle Road.

Link: Kőszegi Ostromnapok

In August 2026, Rein Abbey will become an international place of learning and hands-on heritage work for young people. Twelve students from different countries will take part in a European Heritage Volunteers project focusing on the conservation and partial reconstruction of sections of the monastery’s historic defensive wall. Heritage preservation becomes tangible here: as practical work, international exchange and a shared contribution to protecting Europe’s cultural heritage.

Link: European Heritage Volunteers

 

At the opening of the museum season, Cmurek Castle brought together music, humanism and cross-border exchange. With philosophical reflections, a guided tour of the Museum of Madness and musical contributions from Austria and Slovenia, culture became tangible as a connecting force across borders.

Link: Museum of Madness – Musical-Humanistic Performance

 

The new anthology Castles, Palaces and Monasteries between the Orient and the Occident invites readers on a fascinating journey through the Danube-Alps-Adriatic region. Engaging academic essays explore historical borders, cultural encounters and impressive architectural monuments that keep our shared history alive to this day.
This trilingual publication, in German, Slovenian and English, impressively demonstrates just how closely the regions of Europe are interconnected.
A special book for anyone who loves castles, palaces, monasteries and Europe’s eventful history!

For the fifth anniversary of the Međimurje Treasury, the courtyard of Čakovec Castle became a festive open-air stage. The Croatian Radiotelevision Tamburica Orchestra connected regional musical tradition with contemporary concert performance, showing how lively musical heritage can sound today.

From 10 to 12 July 2026, Cmurek Castle and the Museum of Madness in Trate became an extraordinary place for art, dialogue and social reflection. The Festival of Madness brought together talks, discussions, exhibitions, theatre, film screenings, guided tours, workshops, a Living Library, an open microphone and musical contributions. At its heart was the question of how society relates to mental health, disability, inclusion and human rights. The castle thus became a space where contemporary culture not only entertains, but asks questions and creates encounters.

Solve tricky puzzles, discover hidden clues and work together to find the secret treasure – an exciting new adventure quest now awaits puzzle fans of all ages at Rotenturm Castle.

Whether as a team-building activity, group outing or leisure experience, the treasure hunt leads through the castle park and the publicly accessible areas of the castle. With two difficulty levels, it offers exciting challenges for adults and young people aged 10 and over, combining fun and adventure with the opportunity to discover the historic castle.

A special experience for everyone who loves adventure, teamwork and puzzles. Further information and booking options are available directly from Rotenturm Castle.

On 26 and 27 June 2026, the castle arena of Schlaining Castle of Peace became an open-air stage for contemporary music. Set directly beneath the striking viaduct, historic walls met indie pop, hip-hop, singer-songwriter sounds and festival atmosphere. With acts such as Floyd Division, Zelda Weber, Betonwatte, Endless Wellness, Firkin, Die Blunznfettn Taupfnnauckal and Churro64 / Luisa Schweig, “Under The Bridge” showed how a historic site can become a lively space for young and contemporary cultural formats.

For three days in 2026, Bad Gleichenberg once again became a stage of the Biedermeier era. In the historic spa park, splendid costumes, music, crafts, regional cuisine and the festive imperial procession created a special journey into the 19th century. The Biedermeier Festival impressively showed how historical traditions, regional hospitality and summer cultural tourism can come together in a lively experience for visitors and locals.

Link: Biedermeierfest Bad Gleichenberg