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virtual excursion 360° Žovnek Castle is one of the oldest medieval castle settlements in the territory of present-day Slovenia and the original residence of the free lords of Žovnek, from whom the later counts and princes of Celje developed. The castle represents a historical, architectural and symbolic focal point where local identity, feudal politics and the natural conditions of the landscape intersect.
The original construction and fortification of the castle date from the early Middle Ages, when the free lords of Žovnek built their seat on a hill above the Savinja lowland. Over time Žovnek lost its role as an administrative center as the family’s power partly shifted and concentrated in Celje. The castle’s connection with the House of Celje places it within the broader narrative of Central European feudal politics and the transformation of noble power centers.
The castle stands on a prominent hill above the former marshy area by Lake Žovnek. Its position enabled control over traffic routes and provided an extensive view of the surrounding landscape. Such a location was crucial in the Middle Ages for tax collection, route supervision and military defense. Topography and the arrangement of rocky foundations guided the planning of defensive elements and the placement of residential and economic buildings within the complex.
The castle appears as a multi-phase architectural complex in which building techniques and functions changed over centuries. From initial wooden structures the site evolved to stone defensive walls, towers and economic ground-floor buildings. During conservation and restoration works, teams uncovered elements previously undocumented, including fragments of architectural details, foundations and drainage systems. Restoration efforts aim at as faithful a reconstruction as possible of the former appearance, although only fragmentary physical traces remain, limiting complete restitution.
Žovnek Castle carries strong symbolic weight as the original seat of the free lords and the ancestors of the House of Celje. In local tradition and broader historiography the castle is the subject of research, school excursions and public presentations that emphasize the importance of preserving tangible cultural heritage. The inclusion of the castle in history and geography curricula highlights its role as a field classroom and as an object for interdisciplinary study.
In 1993, upon conceiving a program to document castles, I intended to begin presenting the then-ruins of Žovnek Castle and collected literature related to the Princes of Celje. The aim at that time was to record the condition of the ruins before possible interventions and losses of information.
Restoration of the castle began as an initiative of the Cultural Historical Society Žovnek Braslovče and later received additional support from the Municipality of Braslovče. The restoration process has lasted for decades and is a sensitive project implemented in stages. Central to the restoration is the dedication of local residents, volunteers and small civic initiatives who contribute expertise, manual labor and funds. During works previously unknown building elements were discovered, directing restorers toward the most authentic possible reconstruction of existing fragments. Although the castle has acquired a renewed appearance over the past 25 years, restoration is not yet complete and continues as a persistent process of reviving historical memory.
Restoration interventions involve coordinating archival and documentary requirements with practical construction possibilities. Thorough documentation of finds during the work, transparent recording of conservation decisions and consistent distinction between reconstructed and original parts are ethical guidelines that steer the restoration. The local community and professional partners strive to preserve the historical authenticity of the site and ensure that restored sections serve both educational and representative functions.
The living energy invested in the castle’s restoration raises local awareness of cultural heritage and creates opportunities for sustainable development through tourism, education and cultural events. Final resolution and completion of the restoration could restore the castle’s role as a central cultural hub in the region, but this depends on continued financial support, professional decisions and maintenance provided by the community.
Žovnek Castle is not merely a pile of stones on a hill. It is an architectural and historical monument woven from layered histories, a place of political change and a unifying element for the local community. The ongoing restoration is the result of long-term efforts by society members, the municipality and inhabitants who, through their dedication, protect and reactivate this part of Slovenian history.
Grad Žovnek — Reševanje izgubljenega zaklada Zavod RS za šolstvo PDF contribution on the castle’s history and 25 years of restoration efforts.
Official presentation of the Municipality of Braslovče: Žovnek Castle.
Visit Braslovče: Žovnek Castle.
Kralj, Jože — studies on medieval castles in the Lower Savinja Valley (monographs and collected volumes on Slovenian castles).
Stopar, Ivan — archaeological and historical research on castle settlements in central Slovenia.
Proceedings of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Slovenia — conservation reports and castle inventories.
Local yearbooks and bulletins of the Cultural Historical Society Žovnek Braslovče — reports on restoration works, volunteer documentation and photographs.
Archives of the Republic of Slovenia — land and feudal records, card files and historical maps containing documents on ownership and transfers of properties associated with Žovnek.
