Ptuj Castle, Medieval fortress on hilltop in Ptuj, Slovenia
Ptuj Castle is a fortress standing on a hilltop above the Drava River with multiple wings, towers, and defensive walls that form a large architectural complex. The site contains numerous buildings from different periods integrated into a single defensive system within the city.
Construction began in the mid-12th century under the rule of the Salzburg Archdiocese as a defense against Hungarian invasions from the east. The site was expanded and modified over many centuries to strengthen its defensive role.
The castle houses a Regional Museum collection that shows period furniture, musical instruments, traditional carnival masks, and Roman stone objects from the area. Visitors can see how daily life developed across different eras in this region.
Visitors can reach the castle by following a path from the old town center, with guided tours offered daily in multiple languages. Wear comfortable shoes as the climb is steep with several sets of stairs to navigate.
Inside the castle is a Roman double flute from the 2nd century called a Tibia, a type of wind instrument Romans used in religious ceremonies. This artifact is one of the rare examples of Roman musical instruments that has survived and found its way to this location.
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