Velenje Castle sits on a hilltop above the town, in the heart of the Šalek Valley - once known as the 'Valley of Castles' for the more than twenty fortified residences once scattered across it. This well-preserved stronghold is one of Slovenia's most rewarding castle visits, combining medieval history with a lively museum of art and culture.

Built to follow the contours of a rounded hill, the castle's five-sided outer wall encloses a spacious courtyard complete with a well, flowerbeds and graceful arcades. From its perch you get fine views over the valley and the town below, and the atmosphere shifts nicely with the seasons - lively during summer music and cultural festivals hosted in the courtyard, quieter and more atmospheric in winter.

How to get there

• From the bus station in Velenje — footpath, short approach, easy trail
• From the old town — accessible by road as an alternative

Practical information

• Home to a museum of art and culture, including a unique African art collection (around 1000 pieces) donated by sculptor Frančišek Foit
• The Slovenian Coal Mining Museum, with underground mine visits, is located nearby
• Exhibits include mastodon remains, a reconstructed 20th-century grocer's shop and a 1930s inn

First mentioned in 1270, the castle passed through several noble families, including the Wagen von Wagensberg, who gave it its present Renaissance form, and the Italian Coronini von Cronberg family, its last private owners before World War II.