Above Škofja Loka, once the central seat of the Freising estates in Upper Carniola, rises the imposing Škofja Loka Castle. Its history is closely intertwined with the Freising bishops, who built the first fortress on this strategic hill shortly after receiving the Loka territory in 973.
In a charter from 1202, the castle is described as castrum firmissimum de Lonca — an exceptionally strong fortification. The devastating earthquake of 1511 severely damaged it, but between 1513 and 1516 Bishop Philip oversaw a thorough reconstruction that gave the castle its present, commanding appearance.
Today, the castle houses the rich collections of the Loški muzej (Museum of Škofja Loka). Visitors can explore the historical, cultural, art‑historical, ethnological, and natural heritage of the wider Škofja Loka region. With its fortified walls and carefully arranged garden, the castle is considered one of the most important monuments of medieval architecture in Slovenia and offers a magnificent view of the old town center.
The story of the castle begins in 973, when Emperor Otto II granted the Loka territory to Bishop Abraham of Freising. This gift marked the beginning of a lordship that would shape the region’s destiny for centuries. It was the Freising bishops who built the fortress on the hill above Loka — modest at first, then increasingly grand.
The castle served as their residence, stronghold, and administrative center. From its walls they controlled trade routes, river crossings, and life in the valley. It became a symbol of their authority and of the order that allowed Loka to grow, develop, and become one of the most important medieval towns in Slovenia.
From Fortress to Cultural Landmark
Over the centuries, Škofja Loka Castle was repeatedly rebuilt, expanded, and fortified. Fires damaged it, wars shook it, yet it was never destroyed. In the 16th century, it acquired its Renaissance form, later enriched with Baroque elements and additional renovations.
In 1803, the lordship passed from ecclesiastical to secular hands, marking the beginning of a new era. The castle became the property of various noble families until, in the 20th century, it entered public ownership. Today it houses the Loški muzej, which preserves the history, art, crafts, natural heritage, and identity of the Škofja Loka region.
Stepping through the castle gates feels as if time slows down. In the rooms once walked by bishops, soldiers, and servants, the footsteps of visitors now echo as they search for stories of the past.
The Origin of the Škofja Loka Coat of Arms – the Moor Who Became a Legend
One of the most recognizable symbols of Škofja Loka is its coat of arms, depicting a dark‑skinned man with a red crown and a golden ring around his neck. This figure, often called the Moor, has become an integral part of the town’s identity, and his story blends history with legend.
The oldest known depiction of the coat of arms dates back to the 13th century, when it was used by the Freising bishops. According to tradition, Bishop Abraham saved the life of a dark‑skinned youth during a journey on the Iberian Peninsula, and the young man later became his loyal companion. In gratitude, the bishop is said to have included his likeness in his emblem.
Another interpretation sees the Moor as a symbol of Christianization and the expansion of ecclesiastical authority, while a third explanation places him among heraldic motifs common in the medieval Germanic world.
Regardless of its origin, the coat of arms has become inseparable from the identity of Škofja Loka. Today it appears on town gates, documents, flags, and in the hearts of the townspeople, who recognize in it a symbol of their history and uniqueness.
The Castle as the Soul of the Town
Škofja Loka Castle is more than an architectural monument. It is a place where centuries meet. It is a viewpoint from which one can see the town nestled along the river and the streets winding like veins carrying life. It is a space where past and present touch.
Standing in the castle courtyard, listening to the wind playing in the treetops, one can almost hear echoes of distant times — the footsteps of bishops, the murmur of markets, the bells of processions, the voices of craftsmen who once worked beneath the castle hill.
Škofja Loka Castle is more than a building. It is memory, story, and guardian — watching over the town today just as it did centuries ago.