Podravje – Schlösserstrasse

Velika Nedelja Castle

Schlösserstrasse — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:35:33 +0000

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Podravje, Slovenia

Velika Nedelja Castle

Grad 9, 2274 Velika Nedelja

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Self-guided tours
SI

Velika Nedelja Castle

Not far from the parish church in Velika Nedelja there is a castle which was first mentioned in 1273. The basic structure must have been built around 1200 when Friedrich of Ptuj, ministerialis of Salzburg, took possession of the land around Velika Nedelja with the help of the Teutonic Knights The medieval core of the castle has been preserved in the south-western part of the present building. Most of the present structure, however, dates to the Renaissance period. Later restorations, especially those undertaken between 1723 and 1730, did not considerably alter the outside appearance of the castle. A Baroque well with a wrought-iron crown and driving device has been preserved in the castle yard.

Famous Gothic sculptures of St. Catherine, St. Barbara and Pieta from the first quarter of the 15^th century originally decorated the castle chapel. They were products of a workshop founded around 1400 at the building site of the pilgrimage church at Ptujska Gora. Nowadays, the above-mentioned statues are kept in Ptuj Castle. Another artistically significant example of the stonemason’s art is mounted on the castle wall in the inner yard and shows the coat of arms of Marquard von Eckh, Commander of the Teutonic Order, presumably scupted by an Italian Renaissance artist, Philibert Pacobelli in 1612.

Weddings

Weddings are possible in the castle’s chapel or in the yard. Only by arrangement with the Teutonic Order.

History of the current owner

The knights of the Teutonic Order was the youngest of all chivalric orders which came to into existence as a natural consequence of the crusades launched to free Jerusalem and other sacred sites in Palestine from Muslim rule. The order combined knighthood with pilgrimage, and was devoted to aiding patients and protecting pilgrims. The knights of the Teutonic Order vowed to take up the sword against all non-Christians. They created monasteries, built settlements and hospitals, churches, shelters, and schools. The Teutonic Order came to the Ormož area because Friderik Ptujski invitated them. In 1190 he called for help against the Hungarians. The subsequent battle between the Teutonic Knights and the Hungarians occurred on Easter Sunday, so the place was called Velika Nedelja, which literally translated means Holy Sunday in Slovenian. Today, the Teutonic Order is still the owner of the castle.

Exhibitions

Exhibitions in Velika Nedelja Castle:

Ethnological collection
Velika Nedelja through the centuries
The Church Of The Holy Trinity

More information about the exhibitions can be found here.

More offers:

Outdoor theater performances on the castle grounds.

Contact & Info

Velika Nedelja Castle
Grad 9
SI 2274 Velika Nedelja
Phone: +386 (0)2 7417280
muzej.ormoz@pmpo.si
https://pmpo.si/zbirke-in-razstave/stalne-zbirke/

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Ormož Castle

Schlösserstrasse — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:34:34 +0000

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Podravje, Slovenia

Ormož Castle

Grajski trg 3, 2270 Ormož

Features

Additional offers

Private guided tours
DE, EN, SI
Self-guided tours
SI

Ormož Castle

From its walls, a magnificent view unfolds from the highest castle tower in Slovenia. This mighty 13th-century fortress, with its architecture and exceptional location, bears witness to its former strategic importance, and today the renovated castle interiors offer visitors a unique experience of history with a modern twist.

Ormož Castle was first mentioned in 1278. After 1945, it was nationalized, and in 1946, along with the castle park, it was protected and declared a cultural monument. In 1996, it began operating as part of the Ptuj-Ormož Regional Museum. Following the first phase of renovation, the castle reopened in November 2025. The museum exhibits remain part of the castle’s premises, while management of the castle has been taken over by the Public Institute for Tourism, Culture, and Sports of the Municipality of Ormož. The owner of the castle is the Municipality of Ormož.

Ormož Castle is connected to the Jeruzalem Slovenia destination—a high-quality and sustainable tourist destination in the wine-growing hills, where wine, cuisine, nature, and the local Prlekija story intertwine. Jeruzalem Slovenia combines hospitality, natural beauty, and cultural heritage, complementing a visit to Ormož Castle and the wider Ormož and Prlekija regions.

History

Ormož Castle is situated in the south-eastern part of a Bronze Age settlement which was protected with an earthen rampart and a defensive ditch. The ditch winds along the castle complex to the east and, at the end of the palace yard, turns towards the former Hungarian gate.

The Lords of Ptuj started building the castle complex in the last third of the 13^th century. It remained their property until 1438 when the family of the Lords of Ptuj died out. The first building phase most probably comprised the south wing; it housed the residence of the castellans of Ptuj, Lords of Ormož.

Later, in order to strengthen the fortification, a mighty tower was built in the northeastern corner of the huge courtyard, which was surrounded by a wall. Events at the end of the 15^th century sped the development of the castle. It was namely destroyed by fire in 1487, and then it passed into the hands of the Szekely family in 1490. They had it rebuilt with the intention of living there. They also had the north and west wings built, as well as the east wing in all liklihood. In 1532 the castle was damaged by the Turks, and when in 1540 it was repaired, it became part of the town fortifications. After the attack of the Kurucs on 12^th February 1704, the castle fell into disrepair. Between 1710 and 1740, it was restored in Baroque style by the Pethe family. At the beginning of the 19^th century, the castle was bought by Jože Pauer, an industrialist, who had it restored in Classical style and added a wall around the south-eastern castle garden. The last owners of the castle were the Counts of Wurmbrandt, whose coat of arms can still be seen above the main castle entrance.

Weddings

Our wedding hall is exclusively available for your civil wedding. The hall next to the chapel on the second floor is also a perfect setting for golden and diamond anniversaries.

Exhibitions

Climb to the highest castle tower in Slovenia (45.68 m) – views of Ormož, the Drava River, and the Prlekija region
Exceptional illusionist and classicist paintings (1810) – among the most beautiful in Slovenia
The castle’s state rooms – dining room, salon, smoking room, and library
The castle cinema – the oldest sound film about Ormož (1935)
The film Doroteja (2025) – a true story about a witch
Exhibition of postcards and photographs – a visual history of Ormož
Marko Sluga’s collection – 19th-century furniture and art
Tapestry by Marija Pregl – a national treasure of Slovenia

Castle Park

The castle is surrounded by a park that ranks among the most beautiful landscape parks in Slovenia. It is home to around 100 tree species. Along the path that leads past the tulip tree toward the tomb of the castle’s last owners, visitors are accompanied by majestic maples, poplars, oaks, and the remnants of a linden tree avenue. These trees were already marked on the Josephine military map from 1763–1787, and the park’s layout is also evident on the Ledina map from 1801. At its center stands the tomb of the last noble family, the Wurmbrand–Stuppachs.

Contact & Info

Ormož Castle

Grajski trg 3

SI-2270 Ormož

T +386 (0)51 634 311

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Opening Hours

Winter opening hours (November 2 to March 31): Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Sundays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Summer opening hours (April 1 to October 31): Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PMClosed on Mondays, except for pre-booked groups

Closed on Mondays, except for pre-booked groups

Last admission one hour before closing!

Closed:

November 1

December 25

January 1 and 2

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Grad Ormož / Ormož Castle

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Borl Castle

Schlösserstrasse — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:33:54 +0000

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Podravje, Slovenia

Borl Castle

Dolane 1, 2282 Cirkulane

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Private guided tours
EN, SI
Self-guided tours
SI

Borl Castle

BORL CASTLE TODAY

Today, Borl Castle is owned by the state and has the status of a cultural monument of national significance. In 2020, renovation started on approximately one-third of the castle, and the site reopened to the public in 2024. Members of the Society for the Revival of Borl Castle were passionately dedicated to the renovation and reopening of the castle. Today, visitors to the castle are welcomed by a pleasant café, and, in addition to exploring its rich history, they can also view the exhibition zDravo, which highlights the importance of biodiversity of the Drava’s riverbanks, which are protected as part of the Natura 2000 network.

History

ANKENSTEIN OR BORLYN IN THE PAST, BORL TODAY

The outline of Borl Castle can be seen from afar, which is why it is aptly known as the gateway to Haloze. It has stood majestically on a steep rock overlooking the River Drava since the 12th century. Due to its position, it protected a strategically important crossing over the River Drava, which is also reflected in its historical names – Hungarian Borlyn and German Ankenstein.

CASTLE OWNERS THROUGH HISTORY
The Sauer family was one of the castle’s most important owners. In the 17th century, they converted the castle into a comfortable residence and furnished it lavishly, giving it its current baroque look. It remained in their possession until 1801, after which it was acquired by the Wurmbrand-Stuppach family, which thoroughly renovated and elegantly furnished the castle in the mid-19th century. Between 1901 and 1922, the castle was owned by Max Kübeck and his wife Adalberta Kübeck, née Wurmbrand-Stuppach. They made the castle their home, but sold it to the Borlin joint-stock company due to the changed political situation following World War I.

BORL CASTLE RESORT
For almost thirty years, from 1952 to 1979, the Borl Castle operated as a popular resort. In its heyday, it had 1,200 seats and 120 beds, and on weekends, guests could enjoy a wide selection of food and live music. In a single weekend, they would sell up to 1,000 liters of the local wine and serve 700 kilograms of meat. A swimming pool opened in 1962, attracting up to 500 visitors a day in nice weather.

DECLINE IN THE LATE 20ᵀᴴ CENTURY
The resort closed in the late 1970s, after which the castle slowly began to fall into disrepair. The main reasons for the closure were the construction of a new road to Zagreb, the destruction of the bridge over the River Drava, the urgent need for renovations, and, most importantly, the opening of a new hotel and thermal resort in Ptuj.

Visit Borl castle

EXPLORE THE CASTLE’S RICH HISTORY
The castle boasts a spacious outer courtyard, an arcaded inner courtyard, and an outdoor terrace that offers magnificent views of the ancient town of Ptuj. The castle’s 17th-century Chapel of the Holy Trinity, with its opulent furnishings, is a real gem. The main altar once featured a depiction of Count and Countess Sauer holding an image of the castle. Unfortunately, this work of art was stolen at the end of the 20th century and remains missing to this day. Beneath the castle complex lies an interesting two-story wine cellar in the shape of the letter Z.

DISCOVER NATURE’S WONDERS
The site of the former swimming pool has become a natural wetland, and is now home to a variety of animal and plant species. The central castle tower, or bergfried, can be seen clearly from the castle park, with its mighty walls exceeding 12 meters in thickness in some places. Visitors are also invited to view the zDravo exhibition, which presents the importance of the biodiversity of the Drava’s riverbanks, which are part of the Natura 2000 network.

DISCOVER THE DELIGHTS OF HALOZE CUISINE
The castle has a charming café, where the air is filled with the enticing aromas of freshly brewed coffee and delicious house-made desserts. They also have authentic local dishes from Haloze and Dravsko Polje on their menu. The castle’s historic atmosphere also provides an ideal setting for events such as social gatherings, workshops, concerts and wedding celebrations.

Exhibitions

EXHIBITION zDRAVO
The castle is perched on a cliff above the confluence of the River Drava and the Bela creek. The river basin is a protected area of exceptional biodiversity, and is one of Slovenia’s most important nature conservation sites. Over 80% of the municipality of Cirkulane’s territory is designated as a Natura 2000 site. The river once served as the main transit route, but its flow regime was changed by hydroelectric power plants.

EXPLORE THE ENTIRE CYCLE OF THE RIVER DRAVA
The zDravo exhibition shows us how important rivers are to people’s lives, shaping them through their dynamics and processes and creating diverse habitats that are home to many protected plant and animal species. It is crucial to recognize the importance of preserving river branches, wetlands and floodplains, all of which are under increasing threat from intensive agriculture and urban development.

The exhibition presents the river and life alongside it in five sections:

The river is flowing water,
River the designer,
When the river flow slows down,
The river overflows its banks,
The river beneath our feet.

Each section explains river processes and presents plant and animal species and their habitats. The exhibition vividly illustrates everything that the river provides, while also reminding visitors that the river is endangered. It is an invitation to take action together.

MEET OUR EXHIBITION GUIDE: A RIVER ROCK FROM DRAVA
Zlatko Šoder (Goldie Gravel), a river rock from the River Drava, a nature lover, and a great fan of the river and everything related to it, will guide us through the exhibition. Fascinated by the river’s power to shape the environment, the living world along its banks, and the relationship between people and the river, Zlatko spends all his free time exploring the River Drava. He can explain why the River Drava is known as a gold-bearing river.

Explore the River Drava and discover the life of bats, frogs and other animals in the wetland, and learn about protected animal species such as the European pond turtle and the beaver.

Learn more about the River Drava at: https://dravabike.si/

SKILLS AND SECRETS OF MASTER WEAVERS
Baroque tapestries from Ptuj Castle in the light of their creation and preservation

Visiting exhibition of the Ptuj – Ormož Regional Museum

Would you like to know how the precious woven tapestries were created, what materials they are made of, and how they are repaired and preserved at the museum?

This exhibition on the skills and secrets of master weavers invites you to touch and create. It takes you into the world of fibers (silk, linen, cotton, wool, synthetic) and their origins, weaving techniques, and the making of natural dyes.

It is dedicated to the fortieth anniversary of the first textile conservation and restoration workshop in Slovenia and the one hundred and thirtieth anniversary of the Ptuj – Ormož Regional Museum.

Events

Discover Borl Castle’s renovated, modern spaces, which are ideal for unforgettable weddings, cultural events, concerts, business meetings and social gatherings. You can rent individual rooms or the entire castle complex. The rooms have excellent acoustics and are available to rent all year round, as the castle is heated in winter.

Attractions in the area

Cultural heritage enriches our environment and preserves the memory of our ancestors’ lives. Traditional buildings such as vinedresser’s and vineyard cottages, and stone-vaulted wine cellars still dot the Haloze countryside.

CIRKULANE HERITAGE PARK
The open-air ethnological museum provides a glimpse into our ancestors’ traditional way of life and work. Visitors can explore a traditional Haloze house (cimprača) from the early 19th century, a sty, a shed with a barn, an apiary, trellises, and a fragrant herb garden.

PARISH CHURCH OF ST. BARBARA
The Church of St. Barbara has been the seat of the parish since 1784. It was founded by Count Georg Friedrich Sauer after a devastating plague in the early 17th century. The church boasts a magnificent baroque bell tower which, at 52 meters tall, is one of the tallest in Slovenia. The 1819 fresco under the choir loft depicting Cirkulane is of particular significance.

ST. ANNE’S CHURCH, VELIKI VRH
The Church of St. Anne in Veliki Vrh was built in the 17th century on the initiative of the Counts of Sauer, who owned the Borl Castle at the time. Its location offers a stunning view of the surrounding area. According to folk tradition, prospective parents must circle the church twice on their knees if they want twins. There is a beautiful teaching vineyard next to the church.

LOVE BENCH BY ST. ANNE’S CHURCH

Next to St. Anne’s Church, you will find a bench with a carved heart, which is part of the nationwide Love Benches project. The bench offers stunning views of the Haloze vineyards, the medieval town of Ptuj, the River Drava and the Slovenske Gorice hills. These breathtaking views help to create unforgettable memories. To reach Veliki Vrh from Borl Castle, follow the path lined with the restored Stations of the Cross, which winds through the woods to your destination. The church was built in the 17th century by the Sauer family, who owned the Borl Castle at that time.

Location: Municipality of Cirkulane – Church of St. Anne in Veliki Vrh
Trail difficulty: easy
Altitude: 304 m

Did you know?
Each Love Bench carries a QR code. Scan it to create your own personalized interactive album, where you can record all the benches you visit and discover new ones.

DR. VLADIMIR BRAČIČ MEMORIAL ROOM
Dr. Vladimir Bracic, a distinguished educator, geographer, politician, and the first rector of the University of Maribor, was born in Cirkulane on 27 September 1919. His research work focused on social geography, with particular attention paid to Haloze and Cirkulane. A memorial room has been set up in the Rajher house, his birthplace, in the village center.

Contact & info

Location of the city:
Borl City
Dolane 1
BookingSuite 2018

Information:

Belana Public Institute

58, 2282 Umlauf

368(0)2 795 34 20

368(0)31 466 006

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Opening hours

Open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

May, June, September, October: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

July and August: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Fridays),

10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays)

November–April: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

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Visit Borl

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Ptuj Castle

Schlösserstrasse — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:32:54 +0000

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Podravje, Slovenia

Ptuj Castle

Na gradu 1, 2250 Ptuj

Features

Additional offers

Private guided tours
DE, EN, SI
Self-guided tours
DE, EN, SI

Ptuj Castle

On a hill above the River Drava, at the crossroads of ancient routes, stands the mighty Ptuj Castle. In this strategic position, it has successfully withstood the storms of time for centuries.

Today, it is home to the collections and exhibitions of the Ptuj Ormož Regional Museum: luxuriously furnished castle rooms, a splendid armoury, a gallery of Gothic and Baroque art, collections of reliquaries and paintings on glass, the exhibition Ptuj Castle throughout the Centuries, traditional carnival costumes of the Ptuj area, and the largest collection of historical musical instruments in Slovenia.

The owner of Ptuj Castle, which was declared a cultural monument of national importance in 1999, is the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia.

MORE ABOUT CASTLE COLLECTIONS https://pmpo.si/ptuj-castle/?lang=en

VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE CASTLE PREMISES https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/pokrajinski-muzej-ptuj-ormo%C5%BE/gQHLhyAZN4eWfw

History

Ptuj Castle hill, which offers views for miles around, was inhabited as early as the Early Stone Age, from the 5^th millennium BC onwards.

In ancient Poetovio it was the site of a fortress and a sanctuary, and in the early Middle Ages it was the site of a Slavic burial ground.

The origins of the medieval fortress date back to the 11th century, when the castle and the town were the property of the Archdiocese of Salzburg. In 1132, the Archbishops granted the castle as a fief to the Lords of Ptuj, who, with short interruptions, administered the castle and town for more than three hundred years.

The fortress was laid out in three parts. It had residential and utility buildings on the top of the hill and military buildings on the western and eastern plains, of which only the western tower has survived. In the 12th century, a group of structures with a palatial building and an imposing defensive tower already stood on the central part of the hill. In the 14th century, the central building was given a horseshoe-shaped floor plan and was two storeys high, while the castle walls were connected to the town walls. The castle’s appearance was radically altered in the 16th century by Italian builders who fortified the town and castle against Turkish raids.

Between 1656 and 1802, the castle was in the hands of the Scottish noble family of Leslie. This was a splendid period for the building, as the Leslies transformed it into a Baroque residence. After the Turkish threat ended in the 17th century, the defensive tower was demolished, the castle was expanded, and a stable and tower were built on the eastern plain of the hill. In the 18th century, an administration building was built along the southern wall, a granary on the western plain, and a grange below it.

The last owners, the Counts of Herberstein, had possession of the castle from 1873 to 1945, when it was nationalised and incorporated into the Ptuj Museum.

Museum

Ptuj Regional Museum is a museum with collections and sections for archaeology, history, cultural history, ethnology, restoration workshops and other services. It was founded in 1893, when the Museum Society in Ptuj was established, and archaeological finds were exhibited in the then lower grammar school.

In 1895 Professor Franz Ferk donated numerous artefacts of various types to the museum, which was then named after the donor – Ferk’s Municipal Museum. Over the years, the exhibition area became too small, so the museum moved to the former Dominican monastery in 1928.

After 1945 the castle complex was placed under the management of the museum, and so it acquired most of its present facilities. The museum continued to extend the geographical scope of its activities, and so in 1963 it was renamed, Ptuj Regional Museum. At present the museum covers the wider area of Ptuj and Ormož, famous for its rich prehistoric and ancient sites (Roman Poetovio), the period of the migrations of peoples, medieval and modern monuments, which bear witness to the cultural and economic importance of Ptuj and its surroundings, as well as of rich folklore traditions.

Castle Wedding

Couples can get married in the Festival Hall of Ptuj Castle every Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00pm, excluding public holidays. Wedding ceremonies in the Festival Hall must be registered no later than 45 days before the desired date.

Click here for more Information https://pmpo.si/castle-wedding/?lang=en

Contact & Info

Castle of Ptuj

Na gradu 1

SI-2250 Ptuj

T +386 (0)2 748 03 60

E ptujski.grad@pmpo.si

W https://pmpo.si/ptuj-castle/?lang=en

Pokrajinski muzej Ptuj Ormož

SI 2250 Ptuj, Muzejski trg 1

Phone: +386 (0)2 7879230

muzej-ptuj.uprava@pmpo.si

https://pmpo.si/?lang=en

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Ptuj Castle opening hours:

From October 16 to April 14: Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm
From April 15 to October 15: Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm
On Christmas Eve and Shrove Tuesday from 10:00am to 13:00pm

The castle is closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, All Saints‘ Day and Christmas Day

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Ptujski Grad / Ptuj Castle

======================== SLOVENŠČINA ========================

Podravje – Schlösserstrasse

Velika Nedelja Castle

Velika Nedelja Castle

Features

Additional offers

Velika Nedelja Castle

Weddings

History of the current owner

Exhibitions

Contact & Info

Castles in the surrounding area

Ormož Castle

Borl Castle

Ptuj Castle

Varaždin Castle

Beltinci castle

Čakovec Castle

Location

Castles in the surrounding area

Ormož Castle

Borl Castle

Ptuj Castle

Varaždin Castle

Beltinci castle

Čakovec Castle

Ormož Castle

Ormož Castle

Features

Additional offers

Ormož Castle

History

Weddings

Exhibitions

Castle Park

Contact & Info

Opening Hours

Castles in the surrounding area

Velika Nedelja Castle

Borl Castle

Varaždin Castle

Čakovec Castle

Ptuj Castle

Beltinci castle

Location

News - Facebook

Castles in the surrounding area

Velika Nedelja Castle

Borl Castle

Varaždin Castle

Čakovec Castle

Ptuj Castle

Beltinci castle

Borl Castle

Borl Castle

Features

Additional offers

Borl Castle

History

Visit Borl castle

Exhibitions

Events

Attractions in the area

Contact & info

Opening hours

Castles in the surrounding area

Velika Nedelja Castle

Ptuj Castle

Ormož Castle

Varaždin Castle

Negova Castle

Beltinci castle

Location

News - Facebook

Castles in the surrounding area

Velika Nedelja Castle

Ptuj Castle

Ormož Castle

Varaždin Castle

Negova Castle

Beltinci castle