Žovnek Castle, also known as Stari grad (Old Castle), is a striking ruin perched on a hill at 409 m above sea level, overlooking Lake Žovnek in the village of Podvrh. Once one of the largest castles in Slovenia, it gave its name to the noble Žovneški family, who later became the powerful Counts of Celje.

Built on a mountain spur connected by a narrow ridge to the Dobrovlje plateau, the castle was expertly fortified and difficult to attack. Today visitors can explore the remains of thick stone walls, a massive round tower (Bergfried) with walls 3.27 m thick, and traces of the former residential palace. Walking among the ruins, surrounded by forest and the quiet hills of the Savinja Valley, feels like stepping into a medieval tale, with scenic views over the valley in every season - especially atmospheric in autumn mist or spring greenery.

How to get there

• Podvrh village (5.5 km southwest of Braslovče) — approach via local paths, easy to moderate difficulty
• Short climb from the village up to the castle hill

Practical information

• Restoration of the ruins has been ongoing since 1993, led by the local Cultural-Historical Society of Braslovče
• The castle was abandoned in 1816, its building material reused for the nearby Novi Žovnek manor in the valley

According to legend, Ulrich II, son of Count Friedrich II of Celje, discovered a hidden treasure within the castle walls - a fun thought to keep in mind while exploring the old stones.