Small Castle is a rocky hill rising above the old medieval core of Kamnik, crowned with a Romanesque chapel and the ruins of a castle. It is a place where history reaches back to pre-antique times, and the short climb rewards you with fine views over the town.

The hilltop has a quiet, layered charm - remnants of defensive walls, a partly restored watchtower, and a small but remarkably well-preserved two-storey chapel. In spring and summer, greenery frames the old stones and the rooftops of Kamnik below, while in autumn and winter the ruins take on a more austere, atmospheric character. It is an easy, rewarding stop for anyone wandering through Kamnik's old town.

How to get there

• Kamnik old town — short walk from the town centre, a few minutes, easy difficulty

Practical information

• The hill holds the Romanesque chapel of St. Eligius, with a preserved crypt and Gothic and Baroque frescoes
• Remains of defensive walls and a restored tower are visible
• The castle was first mentioned in a document dated 6 February 1202

Several legends surround Small Castle - of a pagan temple, a buried treasure, and a cursed maiden whose image was later adopted into the coat of arms of Kamnik.