This year, the Ministry of Culture plans to sell six castles: Bizeljsko, Borl, Otočec, Gradac, Šrajbarski Turn, and Viltuš. Some of these have been renovated and offer catering services and rich cultural programmes for their visitors, while others lie in disrepair and decrepitude, regaling only themselves with stories of the past.

The pearl of Lower Carniola
A true pearl of the Lower Carniolan landscape, it is built on a small island in the middle of the Krka River, surrounded by lush greenery. The island is linked to the mainland by two bridges leading both northwards and southwards. The picturesque castle building with its residential core and extensive walls has undergone renovation and is now a world-class hotel. Its newly designed interior combines the styles of Gothic and Renaissance, integrating the ultimate experience of its noble past with the perfect comfort of modern era. The castle restaurant offers exquisite culinary dishes and the finest Slovenian wines, meeting the expectations of even the most demanding guests. Moreover, Otočec Castle is the perfect place for business meetings and one of the most frequently chosen locations in Slovenia for weddings and other ceremonial events. It was also in the enchanted milieu of Otočec where Anže Kopitar, Slovenia's best hockey player, said "I do" to his wife. The castle is managed by Terme Krka d. o. o. from Novo Mesto.

Romantic turrets
Bizeljsko Castle is situated on a rocky hill above the Bizeljsko village and was the home of many families of nobility in its past. Its architectural style is typical of the Renaissance and is characterised by two turrets and an interior arcade courtyard. The castle edifice itself stands atop a knobby hill, with the service buildings situated below. The pathway towards the castle wind around the hill and, on passing through the gate turret, the visitor enters the castle courtyard. Also worth seeing is its rich ornamental stucco work, found in three castle chambers and in the interior of the chapel. The castle premises offer delightful views of the surrounding wine-growing area. Inside the castle, there is also the Klakočar wine cellar, where visitors can be poured a dram of the best vintages. The castle further provides rich range of culinary delicacies and opportunities for professional activities, including education, hotel management, museum exhibitions, and business activities.

On a sloping rock above the Drava river
e medieval Brol Castle played an important strategic role in the past, owing to its natural position, defined by the Drava river and a rocky pier on which the castle is built. It is an important monument to the period of World War II. In 1952 the castle was turned into a hotel, but the venture proved unprofitable and was eventually abandoned in 1981. A full-scale renovation got underway after that. First, they started on the entrance tract with a large cellar below and a baroque chapel above it. Further work is still in progress. The entrance tract is now used for organised events and exhibitions, while the chapel has also been renovated. The decoration and interior equipment have been partly preserved. Ceremonial premises in the castle include the knights' hall, while the neighbouring room contains a unique ceiling painting, worth marvelling at. In the courtyard, there is a baroque fountain with an original stone ring and a hand-forged spout. Organised cultural events are a mainstay at the castle, particularly during summer.

In the Črnomelj-Metlika-Semič region
Gradac Castle is one of the greatest and most beautiful cultural sights in the region of White Carniola. It has been preserved almost in its entirety and is now a tourist point. The medieval castle building comprises the lower and the upper castle, as well as a stall, a former school, and a garden park. Worth seeing are the remains of an old stall which was damaged in a fire and a wooden bridge which once led from the castle to its adjacent fields and ironworks. The castle once had a beautiful park with a tree-lined promenade and a garden. The remains of the park can still be seen today and are part of the architectural heritage.

An impression from the Renaissance
To the north of the village of Leskovec pri Krškem lies Šrajbarski Turn Castle, a characteristic example of centrally-based defensive architecture. The four residential wings enclose the most significant architectural feature of the building: a beautiful arcaded courtyard. The arcades are supported by Renaissance-style chapters, among which there are remains of the original painting and a painted sundial. Above the main entrance to the castle proudly hangs a relief of the coat of arms of the house of Auersperg-Falkenhayn, while the courtyard wall displays the arms of the noble family Khysl. The 17th century Renaissance-style castle park contains a monument erected in memory of Alfonz Paulin (1853-1942), a famous Slovenian botanist and son of the castle ward.

An exotic castle park
Viltuš is a romantic castle from the late 19th century. It enchants its visitors with a multitude of turrets and pinnacles, and above all with its great corner tower that dominates the entire building, lending it something special. The park stretches out around the castle building. It comprises several constituent parts: an orangery, a floral garden, lawns, a tree park, a fishpond, and a forest. The park is an example of high-quality gardening from the late 19th and early 20th century. Its style is typical of Romanticism, with elements of eclecticism and exotism.

Danila Golob, SINFO