Strmol Castle stands at the foot of Dvorjanski hrib hill, near the villages of Češnjevek, Grad and Dvorje near Cerklje na Gorenjskem. It is one of the rare castles in Slovenia that has kept its Slovenian name throughout its entire existence, named after its first owners, the Strmol family. Today it serves as a protocol venue for the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, yet it remains open for visits and events.

The surrounding castle park is a peaceful blend of formal and landscape garden styles, featuring a small lake, tree-lined walking paths and non-native tree species. A rectangular courtyard enclosed by a wall displays baroque sculptures of putti and female figures, originally from the garden of Zalog Manor, relocated here in the 1960s. Whether in the soft green light of spring or the golden hues of autumn, the estate offers a tranquil escape with views over the rolling hills of Gorenjska.

How to get there

• By car from Cerklje na Gorenjskem towards the villages of Grad and Dvorje - easy access, just a few minutes' drive
• On foot from the nearby villages of Češnjevek or Dvorje - easy, flat terrain, about 15-20 minutes' walk

Practical information

• A boutique hotel operates in the central part of the building
• The castle can be rented for private events
• The estate functions as an official protocol venue for the Slovenian government

The castle's history includes a dark chapter - in 1944 its owners Rado Hribar and his wife Ksenija were killed in an assassination, an event that later inspired novels, including one by acclaimed writer Drago Jančar.