Radovljica Manor

Radovljica Manor stands at the top of the old town of Radovljica, beside Linhart Square, and it is the town's main historic building and its principal cultural address. Radovljica sits on a terrace above the Sava valley in Upper Carniola, a short drive from Bled, and the manor is the focus of the compact old centre that was laid out in the Middle Ages. The building as seen today is largely a Baroque residence, the product of rebuilding over several centuries on the site of an older fortified house, and its long front facing the square shows the symmetry and decoration typical of the period.

Inside, the manor holds several institutions at once. The Radovljica Municipal Museum tells the history of the town and its surroundings, and the Museum of Apiculture, which fills part of the building, presents the beekeeping tradition for which the region is known, with historic hives, tools and painted beehive panels. The Radovljica Music School also has its home here, which means that music is part of the daily life of the building, and rehearsals and lessons add to the atmosphere. Other rooms are used for exhibitions, and the entrance hall often carries changing displays of photographs and other art.

The finest spaces are the ceremonial halls. The Baroque Hall, a high room with painted decoration and excellent acoustics, is the setting for concerts, and it is the main venue of the Radovljica Festival, one of the best-known early music festivals in Slovenia, held each summer, with performers from around Europe playing music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods in a room of the period. The Dance Hall and other rooms are used for recitals, receptions and exhibitions. A grand staircase leads up from the entrance to these upper rooms, and the building rewards a slow walk through its corridors.

The manor is part of a group of sights around Linhart Square. The Gingerbread Museum shows the local craft of honey-bread baking, the Katzenstein Mansion houses galleries and events, and the church of St. Peter stands just beyond the square. Several museums and galleries make up the town's cultural offer, and cafes along the square provide a place to rest.

The manor suits history lovers, music lovers, families and those interested in the story of beekeeping. A visit usually takes an hour or two, depending on the museums chosen. Opening times vary through the year, and concerts and exhibitions change the schedule, so check ahead and consider booking tickets in advance if you plan to attend a concert.