Lož Castle, known today only through its evocative ruins, once stood guard over the Loška dolina valley above the present-day town of Lož in the Notranjska region of Slovenia. Locals affectionately call it Pusti grad, the Deserted Castle, a name that captures its haunting, abandoned charm.

Perched on a hill above the town, the ruins offer a quiet, atmospheric spot surrounded by the rolling green valleys and limestone hills typical of Notranjska. In spring and summer the surrounding countryside is lush and peaceful, while autumn brings rich colours to the forests below, and winter lends the crumbling walls a stark, dramatic silhouette against the sky. It's a rewarding stop for anyone interested in medieval history and quiet countryside views.

How to get there

• From the town of Lož - short uphill walk, easy difficulty, approx. 15-20 minutes
• Accessible via footpaths from surrounding villages of the Loška dolina valley

Practical information

• Built in the mid-12th century by the Patriarchs of Aquileia
• Only ruins remain today
• Locally known as Pusti grad (Deserted Castle)
• The castle fell into final decline after the 17th century, once the seat of the estate was moved to Snežnik Castle

Over the centuries the castle passed through the hands of the Counts of Vovbre, the Counts of Celje, the Habsburgs and the Auersperg family, making it a silent witness to the turbulent history of the Notranjska region.