Perched on a green hill in the middle of Ljubljana stands Ljubljana Castle, the landmark of the Slovenian capital. Whether you're looking to soak up the warm sunshine, take in the different cityscapes, soak up Slovenia's rich culture and history, or taste the highly prized delicacies, Ljubljana Castle is the place to be!
Witness to history
Originally built in the 11th century, Ljubljana Castle was originally a wooden fortress, but in the 15th century it was rebuilt by the Hapus royal family to defend it against the Turks, in the 17th and 18th centuries the castle was added Gothic churches and fine frescoes, and from the early 19th century to 1945 the castle was used as a prison. Moreover, the castle has been rebuilt and renovated several times over the centuries, and is still being restored today.
Interested visitors can take a unique tour of Ljubljana Castle and follow personal assistants and actors dressed as historical figures into a time machine and travel through 6 important stages in the history of the city and the castle.
Charming architecture
The castle's architecture is medieval, with stone walls and minarets, and the ancient walls that seem to tell the glory of the past. Stepping into the castle is like stepping back in time......
观景塔（Viewing Tower）
Between 1845 and 1848, a stone tower replaced the wooden Pipers' Tower, which had previously served as a beacon, for fire warnings, and in 1982 the tower was increased by 1.2 metres to an altitude of 400 metres above sea level, and in 2009 the tower was renovated again to serve as a fire warning tower and was opened to the public as a city observation tower, allowing visitors to enjoy the most spectacular views of Ljubljana.
弓箭手塔（Archers' Tower）
Built in the 15th century, the tower was renovated between 1943 and 1946 by the architect Boris Kobe, with the ground floor converted into a beer hall and the upper floor a café. In 2012, the tower was completely renovated and since 2013 it has served as the cellar of the Convent of St Urban, storing all the vintages of the Convent, and the upper floor has become the famous Strelec restaurant.
五角塔（Pentagonal Tower）
From the 16th century, the tower was the main entrance to the castle courtyard and a fortification against attacks from the south. The inhabitants of the castle were connected to the outside world by two drawbridges over the moat, with larger openings in the walls of the tower for carriages and horses, smaller openings for the inhabitants and the upper floors of the towers for the quarters of the castle's caretakers. Today, the upper floor of the renovated tower has been converted into an open attic for exhibitions, small concerts and theatrical performances.
弗雷德里克塔（Frederick's Tower）
In the 15th century, the tower was furnished with two small living rooms with connecting staircases. According to archival accounts, both rooms were heated and were used by the mistress of the castle. The renovated rooms exude a medieval atmosphere, and the window frames connecting the staircase and the floors have been preserved intact.
圣乔治城堡小教堂（Castle Chapel of St George）
This is one of the oldest buildings in the castle. Originally, the entrance to the chapel was located on the north side, which was later moved to the south side. The original Gothic chapel was built with wooden ceilings, four Gothic pointed windows and a promenade where prominent people celebrated their masses. The rebuilt church is in the Baroque style and was decorated with the coat of arms of the local administrator in 1747. During the renovation in 1992, the original Gothic paintings of the chapel were also found on the borders around the altar, on the entrances and in the window openings.
监狱(Penitentiary)
Below the Palatium, the castle houses a series of well-preserved prisons. Inside, the original architecture and furniture are displayed, as well as a video of a prisoner in its original form. Many famous Slovenians have served their sentences in the prison, such as Slovenia's greatest writer, Ivan Cankar, and the famous painter and cartoonist Hinko Smrekar.
岩石厅（Rock Hall）
Located below the Castle Café, the Rock Hall is distinguished by its multi-level layout, which demonstrates the interweaving of building materials with the geological structure of the ground. The early 19th century castle plan shows that it was once a firewood house, the office of a prison guard and administrator, and in the renovation work of the early 90s of the 20th century, this area was the first major project. On weekends, it is home to the Ljubljana Castle Jazz Club.
伊拉斯谟斯塔（Erasmus Tower）
Built around the mid-15th century, the tower is named after the robber baron Erasmus Lueger, and archaeologists believe it was once a prison for nobles. On its walls, traces of about ten carved coats of arms can still be seen, one of which belongs to Erasmus Loger. Since April 2019, the permanent exhibition "Castle Weapons Exhibition" has been opened here.
火药库（Gunpowder Room）
Built in the 15th century, the powder magazine is considered one of the oldest rooms of the castle, designed in a typical Gothic style and built in a corner of the castle walls. Elsewhere like the castle, the powder magazine was also used as a prison in the 19th century, with workshops for men on the ground floor and women's workshops on the top. Today, it is the venue for the exhibition on the history of Slovenia.
Exhibitions & Museums
Ljubljana Castle is home to several exhibitions, each one worth exploring and discovering. Whether you're a history buff or a military buff, you'll find something to enjoy and surprise here.
城堡武器展（Castle Weapons）
Thanks to its strategic location, Ljubljana Castle has played the role of the guardian of the city for centuries. Within its thick walls, all kinds of weapons, cannons, ammunition and armaments played an extremely important role. Located in Erasmussta, the Castle Arms Exhibition features replicas of these late medieval weapons, providing a good insight into the history of the city and the castle.
斯洛文尼亚历史展（Exhibition of Slovenian History）
Housed in a former powder magazine, the permanent exhibition is divided into six sections: Prehistory to the Roman Period, the Middle Ages to the Early Modern Period, the 19th Century and World War I, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and World War II, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and the period from Slovenia's independence to the present. Ancient objects and replicas are on display in an interactive and multimedia way, making it easy for visitors to learn about the history of Slovenia and Ljubljana and embark on a journey full of surprises.
Fluid Art Exhibition (Fluid)
Artist Tanja Pak has created hand-blown crystal droplets from fiber optics to create a unique art experience and gain a unique aesthetic with the "Fluids" art exhibition.
木偶博物馆（Museum of Puppetry）
Puppetry is an important part of Slovenia's cultural heritage, and in honor of Slovenia's great puppet artists, as well as more than a century of outstanding puppet tradition, Ljubljana Castle opened Slovenia's first puppet museum at the end of May 2015. It is undoubtedly a very special attraction for children and tourists who love puppet shows.
Castle viewing
Located beneath the observation tower, the Virtual Castle will feature a 12-minute 4D video showcasing the history, architectural development, and archaeological discoveries of Ljubljana Castle.
Exquisite culinary experience
At Ljubljana Castle, you can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery of the city, immerse yourself in the rich history, but also taste the best castle wine and food!
Strelec Restaurant
One of Slovenia's most prestigious restaurants and the birthplace of first-class cuisine, you can indulge in the creations of Chef Igor Jagodic in the elegant surroundings of the Archer Tower. The unique atmosphere, the culinary selection and the magnificent views of the city are all indispensable.
图源:Iztok Dimc
By Dean Dubokovič
Strelec has been awarded one Michelin star in 2023 with 4 hats and 17 out of 20 points in the Gault & Millau Gourmet Guide, the gastronomic bible. Its dishes combine the flavours of the alpine region, the Pannonian plain and the Mediterranean to bring the most delightful culinary pleasure to diners.
By Dean Dubokovič
Restaurant at Grad餐厅
Every day is a new culinary experience, where you can enjoy a variety of modern Slovenian dishes prepared by Chef Luka Jezeršek using the best local ingredients, and enjoy the magic of Slovenia's 24 gastronomic regions.
图源:Matic Kremžar / Jezeršek Catering
Restaurant Na Grad餐厅是米其林2023年必比登推荐餐厅(Bib Gourmand)之一,不容错过!
图源:Matic Kremžar / Jezeršek Catering
Castle wine bar and shop
Visiting wine bars and shops is the best way to open the castle wine story. In the vaulted cellars and terraces, you can feel the Slovenian character through these mellow wines.
By Dean Dubokovič
The wine bar and shop specialize in Slovenian wines, which complement the exquisite Slovenian cuisine. Whether you're a wine lover or a foodie, you'll find something for everyone.
By Dean Dubokovič
Lolita Castle Cafe
Above the hustle and bustle of the city, Lolita Castle Café offers fragrant coffee, Slovenian wines, natural juices, fresh snacks and a variety of delicious desserts.
图源：Peter Irman
图源:Matic Kremžar / Jezeršek Catering
Castle sightseeing tips
Ljubljana Castle can be reached quickly and easily by foot, bike, car or cable car from the bottom of the castle hill. Even if you don't have a guided tour, you can rent an audio guide (available in Chinese) to explore the castle on your own.
城堡地址:Castle plateau 1, 1000 Ljubljana
The castle and cable car are open from January to April, October to December – 9:00 to 19:00 and May to September – from 9:00 to 22:00
More than just a historical monument, Ljubljana Castle is the soul of the city. It has witnessed the rise and fall of Ljubljana, carries the city's memory and culture, and is a well-worth visiting destination.
本文部分图源：Ljubljana Castle