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Bogenšperk Castle today

Slovenia · Restored

Bogenšperk Castle

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Bogenšperk Castle is a 16th-century Renaissance castle on a low hill in central Slovenia, notable for its association with the 17th-century scientist Johann Weikhard von Valvasor. The fully restored complex contains four connected tracts and towers around an arcaded inner courtyard and now operates as a museum with period reconstructions and collections.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1680

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1680

What Bogenšperk Castle looked like in its prime.

Perched on a low grassy hill, the three-story white-plastered castle comprises four connected tracts linking four towers around an arcaded inner courtyard. Roofs are covered in red clay tiles, with a conical-topped round north tower and a taller rectangular south-east tower (at prime taller than surrounding ranges). The main entrance has a small timbered balcony above the doorway; small rectangular windows puncture the plain facades. The building stands on exposed bedrock and has a deep well carved into the rock within the yard.

Its story

The story of Bogenšperk Castle.

Bogenšperk was likely begun by the noble house of Wagen as a replacement for Boltežar Wagen's nearby Lihtenberk Castle, already in disrepair and severely damaged by a major earthquake in 1511. The Renaissance castle consists of four tracts from several periods, connecting four towers around an arcaded inner courtyard; the oldest part is the north tower, originally a standalone fortification, and a deep well is carved directly into the bedrock.

After Jurij Wagen, last of the family, died in 1630, the castle changed owners several times until 1672, when it was bought by the scientist and natural historian Johann Weikhard von Valvasor, a fellow of the Royal Society in London, on his return from abroad. It is for its association with Valvasor that the castle is best known.

Valvasor's family later moved to Krško and the castle again passed through several hands, the last owners being the noble Windischgrätz family, who abandoned it in 1943. A lightning-strike fire in 1759 had earlier damaged the castle badly, and the south-east tower was never rebuilt to its original height. Fully restored, Bogenšperk is now a museum and listed as an important cultural monument of Slovenia.

Step inside

9 places to explore in 1680.

The record describes 9 distinct spots at Bogenšperk Castle, including 4 interiors: arcaded inner courtyard, deep well carved into bedrock, valvasor's study and printing press (reconstructed) and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Exterior approach, main path and entranceNorth (round) tower exteriorSouth‑east tower exterior (defensive tower)Main gate and timber balconyArcaded inner courtyardDeep well carved into bedrockValvasor's study and printing press (reconstructed)Reconstructed chapelWest lawn and overall roofline

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Whose castle

Clans who held Bogenšperk Castle.

The families that held Bogenšperk Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Wagen

    Built by the noble house of Wagen in the early 16th century; held until the death of Jurij Wagen, last of the line, in 1630.

  • Valvasor

    Bought in 1672 by Johann Weikhard von Valvasor on his return from abroad.

  • Windischgrätz

    The last noble owners; the Windischgrätz family abandoned the castle in 1943.

Questions about Bogenšperk Castle

What is the history of Bogenšperk Castle?

Bogenšperk Castle began in the 16th century as a Renaissance replacement for nearby Lihtenberk Castle, which was already in disrepair and badly damaged by the 1511 earthquake. The noble house of Wagen probably began the present castle. After Jurij Wagen died in 1630, Johann Weikhard von Valvasor bought it in 1672 and thoroughly renovated it. The castle was later abandoned in 1943 and systematically restored from 1972.

What is inside Bogenšperk Castle?

Inside Bogenšperk Castle are an arcaded inner courtyard, Valvasor's reconstructed study and printing press, and a reconstructed chapel. The museum also contains collections covering superstition and witchcraft, traditional folk costume, geology, surveying and mapping, and hunting. Other spaces include a wedding hall, a restaurant and a deep well carved into the bedrock.

Why was Bogenšperk Castle built, and what was it used for?

Bogenšperk Castle was built as a replacement for nearby Lihtenberk Castle, which was already in disrepair and had been severely damaged by the 1511 earthquake. It developed from a standalone fortified tower into a larger Renaissance complex of four tracts and four towers. After its restoration, it became a museum with reconstructed rooms, collections and a chapel.

Where is Bogenšperk Castle?

Bogenšperk Castle is in central Slovenia, in the Municipality of Šmartno pri Litiji. It stands on a low hill at an elevation of 412 metres, on the Strmca ridge above Dvor. The castle is built on bedrock and is surrounded by parkland.

When was Bogenšperk Castle built?

Bogenšperk Castle was built in the 16th century, with construction taking place in several periods. Its oldest part is the north tower, which originally stood as a standalone fortification; the connected tracts and other towers were added as the complex developed.

Which family or clan held Bogenšperk Castle?

The Wagen family held Bogenšperk Castle until Jurij Wagen, the last of the line, died in 1630. Johann Weikhard von Valvasor bought it in 1672 and was associated with the castle through his study, printing press and collections. The Windischgrätz family were its last noble owners and abandoned it in 1943.

What did Bogenšperk Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Bogenšperk Castle was a three-storey white-plastered Renaissance building with four connected tracts and four towers around an arcaded inner courtyard. Red clay-tiled roofs covered the ranges, with a conical-topped round north tower and a taller south-east tower. The main entrance had a small timber balcony above the doorway, and small rectangular windows marked the plain façades.

Is Bogenšperk Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Bogenšperk Castle is still standing and fully restored, rather than a ruin. A lightning-strike fire in 1759 badly damaged the building, and the south-east tower was never rebuilt to its original height. Systematic reconstruction began in 1972, and the restored castle now functions as a museum and remains an important cultural monument of Slovenia.

Can you visit Bogenšperk Castle?

Yes, Bogenšperk Castle can be visited as a museum. Its renovated premises contain reconstructions of Valvasor's study and printing press, a reconstructed chapel and several collections. The castle is also listed as an important cultural monument of Slovenia and is a monument of national significance.

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