If you are a tourist of Slovenia, or simply a fan of architecture and castles, you will love the country. Slovenia is a place of history with thousands of different buildings for you to visit. You will never get bored or lack of places to go to while on your holidays in Slovenia.
In Slovenia, there are about 500 castles, including fortresses and manors, which means you will find a castle every 15 miles. There are also over 3,000 churches and sacred monuments. It is one of the countries with the most religious monuments per capita in Europe.
It is exciting for tourists to learn about castles and churches in the country they are visiting since they are one of the tourists’ favorite activities. Let’s take a look at Slovenia’s architecture and some of the most famous and beautiful castles and churches in the country.
Which Are The Most Beautiful Castles in Slovenia?
Slovenia is rich in history, and part of this history includes the 500 castles built between the medieval period, the Renaissance, and the Baroque period. You can also find ruins of fortresses that started being made during the antiquity.
Many castles are now in ruins. However, some of them are still used every day and are very popular among tourists. In numerous castles, you can see exhibitions, visit museums, see concerts, watch movies, dine, play games, or even get married.
In some Slovenian castles and manors, you can even stay for the night, such as the Otočec Castle, the Lambergh Château & Hotel, the Kenda Manor, the Mokrice Castle, or the Strmol Castle. It is the perfect way to spend a magical, romantic, and unforgettable night in Slovenia.
To discover the fairytales that are Slovenian castles, let’s take a look at three of Slovenia’s most famous castles.
Ljubljana Castle
The Ljubljana Castle stands in the city-center of the Slovenian capital, on top of a hill. The Castle has a rich and complex history. It was a medieval stronghold since the 15th century, a prison owned by Fascist Italy during the occupation of Slovenia during World War II.
Besides its fascinating story, the Castle is also a fantastic viewpoint of the city of Ljubljana. You can climb up the hill in 15 minutes from the city center if you do not mind walking up. Otherwise, there is a funicular going right to the Castle. You can also join the Castle from the back of the park, passing in front of one of the oldest vineyards and unique viewpoints.
The Castle in itself is not particularly impressive inside. It seems more imposing from the city. It still is nice to go if you have a bit of time. There is a staircase on the right that you can use to see the city without paying. However, to go on top of the tower, you will need to pay, which is not necessarily worth it.
We advise you to stop at the cafe to enjoy a fresh drink during the summer. You can also visit the little chapel of the Castle, and take a photo with the flower heart in the castle courtyard. If you are a fan of games, you can also try the Castle’s escape room for 13,00 € per adult.
Here are the prices for the Castle and the funicular. If you are interested in more activities in the Castle, do not forget to check their website for prices and timetables:
Castle Ticket – without funicular:
- Adults: 10.00 €
- Children (7-18 years), students, seniors, groups over 15 persons: 7.00 €
- Family: 24.00 €
Funicular Railway one way:
- Adults: 2.20 €
- Children (7-18 years), students, seniors, groups over 15 persons: 1.50 €
- Family: 6.00 €
Funicular Railway return:
- Adults: 4.00 €
- Children (7-18 years), students, seniors, groups over 15 persons: 3.00 €
- Family: 10.00 €
Here are the timetables for the Castle and the funicular:
- January to March and November: 10 am – 8 pm
- April, May, and October: 9 am – 9 pm
- June to September: 9 am – 11 pm
- December: 10 am – 10 pm
Predjama Castle
Five miles or nine kilometers from the Postojna Caves (20-minutes ride), you will find the Predjama Castle on a 123-meter-high cliff. This Castle seems right out of a fairytale, and it is one of the tourists’ favorite.
The Predjama Castle is the world’s largest cave castle and is part of the ten most fascinating castles in the world. Under the Castle is one of the hundreds of karsts in Slovenia. It is the Postojna Cave where you will find the oldest subterranean railway in the world and the unique olms, nicknamed baby dragons.
Here are the prices to visit the Castle:
- Adults: 14,90 €
- Students (16 – 25 years): 11,90 €
- Children from 6 to 15 years: 8,90 €
- Children up to 5 years: 1,00 €
You can also take a ticket to visit both the Castle and the Postojna Cave, which we would advise to do:
- Adults: 29,96 €
- Students (16 – 25 years): 23,94 €
- Children from 6 to 15 years: 17,92 €
- Children up to 5 years: 2,00 €
Bled Castle
Lake Bled is one of the most beautiful and fascinating places in Slovenia, where you must go during your holidays. Once you arrive at the lake, you will notice the small church on the island in the middle of the lake. The other thing you cannot miss is the incredible Castle sitting on top of the hill.
The Bled Castle, or Blejski Gard, is more impressive from the lake than once you are inside it. It is not necessary to visit it unless you are a huge fan of castles. However, it is mesmerizing from down the hill, especially in the evening when it is lit up.
We do not know precisely when the Bled Castle was built. However, we know it was around the year 1000, after the German king Henry II ceded the Bled estate ownership to the Bishop of Brixen. The Castle was also heavily renovated in 1952 by one of the famous architect Jože Plečnik’s disciples, Tone Bitenc.
Here are the prices if you want to visit the Castle:
Individual visitors:
- Adults: 13,00 €
- Students: 8,50 €
- Children (aged 14 or younger): 5,00 €
Groups from 10 or more people:
- Adults: 10,50 €
- Students: 7,50 €
- Children (aged 14 or younger): 4,50 €
Here are the timetables to visit the Castle:
- January-March, November-December: 8 am – 6 pm
- April-May, September-October: 8 am – 8 pm
- June-August: 8 am – 9 pm
Which Are The Most Beautiful Sacred Monuments in Slovenia?
Although Slovenians are not particularly religious, the country is filled with Catholic religious buildings, which are the leading and almost only religions in the country. In 2017, nearly 60% of Slovenes declared themselves Roman Catholic, 2,4% are Muslim, 2,3% are Orthodox Christians, and about 10% are atheists.
The Christian religion came to Slovenia during the 8th century when the Slavic tribes living in the area embraced it as their new religion. It stayed an essential religion in the country until 1945, when industrialization and capitalism caused a decrease in religious beliefs.
Among the branches of Christianity present in Slovenia, the most important is Roman Catholic, followed by Protestantism, especially in the Prekmurje region.
In Slovenia, you will find a Catholic church in almost every town and at every corner. You will also encounter a significant number of monasteries and convents.
The oldest churches you will find were built in late antiquity, and you can still visit their remains in Ljubljana, Ajdov Gradec, or near Kobarid.
You could even decide to go for a pilgrimage at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. Many tourists also love to ring the wishing bells on the Bled lake island, where is located a lovely church. Legend says, if you ring the bell three times, your wishes will come true.
Among the most beautiful churches to visit in Slovenia, here is a quick list of the ones you must see:
- Basilica of the Virgin Protectress in Ptujska Gora
- Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Brezje
- Church of the Ascension of our Lord in the Prekmurje plains
- Church of the Holy Trinity in Hrastovlje
- Saint Nicholas in Ljubljana
- Svete Gore (Holy Mountains) above the River Sotla
- Žiče Charterhouse in Slovenske Konjice
- Pleterje Charterhouse near Šentjernej
- Olimje Minorite Monastery in Podčetrtek
- Stična Abbey in Ivančna Gorica
By going to the most beautiful churches and religious buildings in Slovenia, you will see every part of this beautiful country and explore the mountains, the lakes, the plains, the countrysides, the coast, and the cities.
In Slovenia, there are more than 500 castles and 3,000 churches. It is a small country covered in fascinating architecture and enriched by a fascinating history. If you are a tourist in Slovenia, you will be mesmerized at every corner by the numerous buildings and monuments covering the territory.
Slovenia is the perfect country for tourism, whether you are traveling by yourself, with friends, or with your family, because you will never get bored, and you will always find fun new activities to do.
