Turjak Castle
© Boštjan Podlogar
The picturesque castle of Turjak, located about 20 kilometres from Ljubljana, boasts the largest round bastion in Slovenia. It was first mentioned as early as 1220 and got its name from its lords, the Auerspergs, Counts of Turjak.
The castle has a turbulent history. Its name, as well as the name of the settlement Turjak, derives from the extinct aurochs, which the Counts of Turjak have in their coat of arms. In the 16th century, the Auerspergs were strong supporters of Protestantism in Slovenia. The main Slovenian Protestant leaders, Primož Trubar and Jurij Dalmatin, found refuge in the castle, where they worked on the first translation of the Bible into Slovene. The castle’s greatest fame, however, was immortalised by the Slovenian poet France Prešeren in his ballad Turjaška Rozamunda.
Another special feature of the castle is its Renaissance defensive corridor in the shape of a triangle. The Renaissance defence system of the castle is one of the first of its kind in Slovenia and among the earliest in Central Europe.
Schedule
Due to renovation, the castle is currently closed.
