Strmol Castle, Medieval castle in Dvorje, Slovenia
Strmol Castle is a medieval castle in Dvorje, at the foot of Dvorjanski hrib, built around a tall central keep with corner turrets and surrounded by defensive walls. The structure has been restored and now serves as a government guesthouse and a place open to visitors.
The castle was first recorded in the 13th century and is the only structure of its kind from that period to have survived in the region. Over the following centuries it changed hands several times and was gradually expanded, while other medieval buildings around it disappeared.
The courtyard holds baroque sculptures of female figures and putti made by Angelo Putta Pozzi, originally placed in the garden of Zalog manor before being moved here. Walking through the courtyard, the contrast between the medieval stone walls and the playful baroque figures is easy to notice.
The castle operates as a government guesthouse, so access for visitors is not always open and it is worth checking current visiting conditions before you go. A visit pairs well with a walk through the surrounding area at the foot of Dvorjanski hrib.
Strmol is one of the few castle names in Slovenia that was never translated into German or Latin and has kept its original Slavic form throughout the centuries. The name itself likely comes from a Slovene word meaning steep, which describes the position of the building on the hillside.
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