Grad Podsreda

Podsreda Castle is one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Slovenia.
In addition to the monumental works, extensive research was carried out, which yielded surprising results. It was discovered that there were as many as four distinct and fully visible construction phases in the Romanesque period within a relatively short period of time. This not only places Podsreda Castle at the top of monumental estates in Slovenia, but also gives it a special place in the ranks of medieval castles in Europe, as its medieval core has remained almost intact over the centuries.

The "most castle-like of Slovenian castles" dates back to the 12th century, when the palace on the northern side was built around 1150, the tower in 1180, the southern palace in 1220 and the tower with chapel in 1260.

The original German name, Hörberg or Herberch, indicates the high age of the building, as it means shelter. While the present name Podsreda has no connection with the original name and probably stands for a day that was important for the square, since market and court days were supposedly held in Podsreda Square on Wednesdays.

The Podsreda castle is located on land that belonged to the Counts of Breže-Seliški and later to Countess Emma of Krška already around the year 1000. In 1042, Emma founded a Benedictine women's monastery in Krka in Carinthia, where she took refuge and left all her possessions. After her death in 1045, the monastery was dissolved and the property became the property of the new diocese of Krka.
The castle is first mentioned in the sources only in 1213, although it was already built in the middle of the 12th century.

In the first half of the 14th century, the castle was bought by Frederick of Žovne and remained the property of the Counts of Celje until their extinction. As heirs to the Celje estates, the castle was taken over by the Habsburg princes, who rented it out for their care. The tenants and keepers of the castle often changed in the following centuries. In 1617 it was purchased by Count Sigmund Tattenbach, in 1701 it was inherited by Countess Eleonora E. Barbo, then by her daughter Maria H. pl. Apfaltrern and in 1787 Franz Baron noble Lazarini. Before 1848, the property was purchased by Prince Weriand Windischgrätz, who in the following years gave the castle its current appearance. The castle remained in the hands of his heirs until the end of World War II, when it became state property.

Today Podsreda Castle is a monument owned by the Municipality of Kozje. Kozjanski Park took over its management in 1983 and in the same year began its systematic restoration, which was accompanied by a rich program of revitalization, characterized by the encounter between the heritage of the Romanesque period and contemporary art.

The apartments and rooms of Podsreda Castle offer a unique experience of sleeping behind the castle walls, spending the night like the nobles of the past between the silence of the castle walls and the beauty of the untouched nature of Kozjan Park.

Throughout the year, we offer guided tours of the castle and its exhibitions, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about and experience the history of our castle, which is still alive and well today.
Guided tours, led by experienced guides, last about an hour and a half for groups of ten or more and are a great opportunity for visitors to learn firsthand about the castle's rich history, discover interesting stories and legends about the castle, and get a sense of the other fascinating features that bring the castle to life today.
Adults and children alike can take a fascinating journey through time, while audio guides in five languages (Slovenian, English, German, Italian, Russian) will take you through the rooms of our castle, back when it served as a refuge in case of danger, and later, when it became the residence of some wealthy noble families.