Slovenian Castles (Current Events 2)

For my next current events entry on Slovenia, I decided to highlight a major tourist attraction that the country has to offer...castles.  There are about 500 castles, manors, and ruins in Slovenia, and many of the castles have been restored to serve other purposes.  Bled Castle, the oldest in the country, stands on a giant rock face above scenic Bled Lake.  The restored interior has wine cellars, a museum, and other attractions for tourists.  Ljubljana Castle is an example of a very old structure that was once transformed into a prison.  It probably dates back to the 9th century!  Fuzine Castle was designed by the well known Slovenian architect, Joze Plecnik.  It is often times accessed by mountain bikers.  Many castles contain medieval objects, showcased in their museums.  Stanjel Castle is surrounded by a wall that was used to defend against the Turks in the 15th century.  Predjama Castle, perhaps the most famous of Slovenia, was actually constructed in a cave.  Overall, the many restored castles of Slovenia are perfect destinations for travellers looking for ancient historical artifacts, a cool drink, good food, recreation, or a sublime view of the countryside.  They can be accessed by bus, car, or bike. 

http://www.castles.info/slovenia/

                                  Predjama Castle

Joze Plecnik (architect)