The Renaissance Bogenšperk Castle is considered one of the most important cultural monuments in Slovenia. It is one of the more recent castles in Slovenia, and was not built for defensive purposes, as it was built at a time when castles were losing their military role and gradually turning into comfortable aristocratic residences. It was named after its owners, the Wagen family – Wagensberg (Wagen mountain) – and this is also the origin of the Slovenian name Bogenšperk.
At one of the most beautiful castles in Slovenia, you can see museum collections that tell about life at the castle, and especially focus on the work of the famous Carniolan polyhistor, Janez Vajkard Valvasor (1641–1693). The castle was once an important scientific centre in Slovenia. This is where Valvasor created the first museum collections on our soil and wrote several books, including the monumental Glory of the Duchy of Carniola, and Duchess Maria of Mecklenburg Schwerin kept a collection of archaeological objects of invaluable cultural and historical value in the castle premises. The original of the first Russian-Slovenian dictionary is on display at the Davorin Hostnik Russian-Slovenian Centre, which presents the life and work of the Šmarje translator, and the original of a map by Peter Kozler from the middle of the 19th century, which is considered to be the first map showing the territorial claims of the Slovenes, is on display in the geodetic collection.
The castle cellar boasts with the Wagen dry-ageing room, where top-quality dried meat products are dried and matured, with which you can start a special culinary experience and continue it in the “Krčma na gradu” castle tavern. There, you will be served with a great selection of dishes based on local ingredients; toast with homemade Wagensperg sparkling wine, and satisfy your sweet tooth with excellent desserts created in the shelter of the ancient castle walls.
The castle also offers a variety of summer events in the castle courtyard, and provides space for various thematic and creative workshops. Wedding fairy tales are written at the castle on Saturdays, and Sundays are perfect for a trip. First, descend along the well-kept path to Lichtenberg, circle around the modern equipped trim trail, past the castle clearing to the beautiful linden tree avenue. The rich history of the castle and the exceptional scenery of unspoiled nature attract visitors to a unique castle experience.
More information: Bogenšperk Public Institute (Javni zavod Bogenšperk), Staretov trg 12, 1275 Šmartno pri Litiji, T: 01 898 78 67, E: grad@bogensperk.si, W: https://www.bogensperk.si/