Rajhenburg Castle

Rajhenburg Castle stands on a rocky promontory above the Sava River at Brestanica, in the lower Sava valley in eastern Slovenia, where the Brestanica Stream runs into the larger river. It is one of the oldest castles in this part of the country, built in the first half of the twelfth century on the order of Archbishop Conrad I of Salzburg, and it was among the first strongholds the Salzburg Archbishopric established in the South Styrian lands. The site was chosen to control the Sava and the routes along it, and the high position still gives long views down the valley.

The castle has been rebuilt many times over nearly nine hundred years, and its architecture reflects Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance phases of work. Few castles in Slovenia have such a varied later history. After the noble family that originally held it died out in the sixteenth century, it passed through other hands and gradually lost its military purpose. In the late nineteenth century the building became a Trappist monastery. The monks, who had come from abroad, built up a reputation for their chocolate and liqueurs, and for decades the monastery was one of the best known religious communities in the region. The Trappist period ended with the Second World War, when German forces took over the castle, and it was then used as a place of confinement during the occupation. In the years that followed it was used as a prison, and eventually the castle was handed over for cultural use.

Today Rajhenburg is a museum and a venue for cultural events. The permanent exhibitions deal with the architecture of the castle, the life of the monks and the events of the twentieth century, and temporary exhibitions are held in the rooms from time to time. Concerts, plays and lectures are staged in the courtyard and halls, and the programme gives the building a lively atmosphere, particularly in summer. Check the current schedule before visiting, because opening times and events vary through the year, and parts of the castle may be closed for repair. The Castle Grounds, the scenic grounds around the buildings, are open for walks and offer views of the valley and the rooftops of Brestanica below.

The castle suits history lovers, families and anyone who enjoys castles with layered stories, and it is a good half-day stop on a trip along the Sava. In the same town, the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes is a short distance away, and other castles of Posavje are within reach by car. It is one of Slovenia’s most layered historic sites, and the history is told honestly.