Bogenšperk Castle
| Region | Central Slovenia Statistical region |
| Starting point | Bogenšperk Castle parking lot |
| Route length | 2,7 km (1.11 miles) |
| route duration | 45 min-1h |
| Best time to visit | All year |
| Appropriate for | Baby Carriers , 3-6 years of age , 6+ years of age |
| Level of difficulty | Easy route |
Route Description
The Bogenšperk Castle is one of the most beautiful renaissance castles in Slovenia. Here, Johann Weikhard von Valvasor (1641-1693) wrote one of the most monumental books in the Slovenian history: The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola. Peeking into the intriguing world of Slovenian history and discovering nature together with your children can be a very fun activity. Both kids and adults immerse themselves into the ancient world of castles, knights and noblemen.
The Bogenšperk Castle towers over the village of Dvor, which is just a stone's throw away from the town of Litija. The history notes first mention it in 1533, but the year of its exact origin is not entirely known. In 1672, the famous Slovenian polyhistor and scientist Johann Weikhard von Valvasor (1641-1693) purchased it and he soon started expanding his impressive library, worked in his study and established his own graphic workshop. The castle had several different owners, the last being the noble family of Windischgraetz, who abandoned the castle in 1943. From 1957 on Jesuits, who carried out some preventive maintenance on the structure, occupied it. Visitors to the castle's museum can view Valvasor's study and printing workshop, as well as a collection of mineral rocks and several collections dedicated to superstition, Slovenian national costumes and hunting.
In addition to the museum collection above, visitors can see exhibitions dedicated to local history. If you are a bride-to-be, you can get married in Valvasor’s library, which is now used as a beautiful wedding hall. In summer, you can access the castle gardens freely and marvel at its natural wonders. Bogenšperk Castle makes for a really fun and interesting family trip.
You can make a circle around the castle and walk a 3 km (1.15 miles) long trim trail, which is also suitable and interesting for families with younger children.
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Nearby Restaurants
Gostilna Pri Japu
At this inn, you can choose from a rich offer of homemade Slovenian dishes, fish dishes, vegetarian dishes and grilled dishes. There is also a wide selection of wine, among which we highly recommend Cviček, a local wine made in our vineyard on Debeli Hrib Hill. Entertainment for children is also taken care of as they can play on the playground next to the inn.
Praproče pri Temenici 6,
1296 Praproče pri Temenici
(01) 787 40 89
Vita, Olja and Juna Recommend
After seeing the interior of the castle, go outside and make a circle around it on a very interesting trim trail, which will make your kids buzz with excitement. After learning all about the history of the castle, one definitely needs a bit of exercise. The forest trail is well maintained and its terrain is suitable for baby strollers.
Interesting Facts
The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola is the conclusion of Valvasor’s scientific research. It was published in 1689 in Nuremberg. It is considered his greatest achievement and one of the most important scientific works on Central Slovenia.
This is a true literary masterpiece comprising 15 volumes, bound in four tomes, on 3,552 large-format pages; there are 24 appendixes and 528 copper engravings. Valvasor described Carniola in terms of its history, geography, topography, medicine, ethnology, biology, geology, and other fields of science.
Due to the enormous debts incurred in getting his magnum opus published, he was forced to sell the castle in 1692. He moved with his family to a townhouse in Krško, where he died in 1693 at the age of 52.
