Celje Castle (Celjski grad)

Description:

Enjoy the day - experience the middle Ages!

The Old Castle Celje combines many stories and myths about the life of one of the most important medieval families in Europe, which you are invited to explore. Love, tragedy, jealousy, marriage and wars are just some of the motifs, which are still alive within people’s stories. Many events in the castle remind us of these interesting medieval times.

Brief historical overview: The Old Castle Celje, built by the Heunburg family above the old market town (in the second half of the 12th or in the early 13th century), fell under the possession of the Lords of Sanneck. After moving to the city at the confluence of the Savinja and Voglajna rivers, they changed their name to Counts of Celje, and began to expand the Old Castle into a comfortable residence. During the reign of Herman II of Celje, when the Counts reached their peak of glory, they successfully integrated into European politics and started interacting with the noblest families of that time. In 1436, Sigismund of Luxembourg promoted them into Princes. Twenty years later, one of the most important periods of our history ended with the death of the family’s last male successor - Ulrich II of Celje.

The Old Castle Celje is a tourist–friendly spot - discover the rich history of the castle yourselves. For those of you who are interested in the mysteries of the Celje dynasty, we recommend a guided tour with our guide. Tours may also be held outside the working hours of the Old Castle Celje tourist information centre upon prior arrangement. Buses may park in the castle car park, in front of the entrance.


THEME TOURS

Suitable for closed groups, organized upon prior request or arrangement.

• The count’s party - a tour featuring a narration about the history of the counts of celje, a presentation of the dressing style in the middle ages, a demonstration of dances in the middle ages, ending with a small party with theme music, dance and a glass of wine. Suitable for closed groups.

• Fashion of the middle ages - a tour featuring a narration about the history of the counts of celje, a detailed description of the importance of the mighty celje army and a game of “dress the count and the chambermaid”, ending with a glass of wine.

• The Countess of Celje - a tour narrating the history of the celje dynasty featuring the unfortunate story of veronica, the tempestuous barbara and the gentle catherine. Through the stories of these three important women of celje, visitors gain an insight into different roles of women in the late middle ages, learn medieval recipes and taste homemade treats.

• Custom made tour - would you like a tour adapted to the wishes of your group? We can also offer you additional services — organized lunches/suppers with the aroma of the medieval cuisine, transportation and entertainment activities. Tell us your wishes.

AUDIO TOUR
The AUDIO TOUR is intended for individual visitors who would like to make their walk through the most important tourist sport of our town more interesting with the help of earphones and an audio player. It takes our guests to the hidden corners of the Old Castle Celje and presents the milestones of Celje’s rich history. Visitors will be addressed and guided in Slovenian, English or German. We recommend booking in advance.

FOR CHILDREN
The Old Castle Celje is an ideal destination for learning outside the traditional classroom, which, in addition to directly allowing you to get to know the most important castle in Slovenia from the historical point of view, offers a pleasant environment — the castle and its surroundings as well as other infrastructure, which offers pupils a pleasant destination for outdoor lessons and encourages their imagination.

The MEDIEVAL CLASSROOM Programme is an ACTIVE LESSON which takes place at the site of the Old Castle in Celje and is carried out by animators — guides. Adaptations can be made for various age groups upon previous consultation with the teacher. Hint: a great way to make school trips more interesting, in combination with selective courses!

A CASTLE WEDDING
A wedding is something beautiful, magical and unforgettable. The beginning of a life together, full of experience of two young lives. A Castle wedding at the most beautiful spot of the castle — at the view platform, where the powerful Counts of Celje once walked with their loved ones. Enter the Middle Ages with a medieval wedding. The sound of fanfare accompanies the newlyweds and witnesses to the celebratory ritual space. The light steps of the castle dancers conjure up the ancient dances “The dance of love” and “The dance of the bride”. In addition to organization and realization of the wedding ceremony, we also offer catering services and realization of the entire wedding reception.


For business partners or associates, as well as for other (private) closed groups

• ENTERING THE KNIGHTHOOD Programme - become a Knight of Celje and experience the cuisine of the Middle Ages

Glory, power and nobility still reside at the Old Castle Celje. Programme: the ceremony begins to the sound of fanfare, you are welcomed by Herman II and Barbara of Celje and their entourage, a dance performance, speech by the castle notary, the appointment of knights by Herman II or Barbara of Celje, awarding of certificates (knight certificates). The festive moment is presented by Herman II or Her Highness Barbara of Celje, their subordinates, the personnel of the Old Castle Celje. In order to make everything more festive, dances will be performed by the castle dancers.

• TEAM BUILDING Programme

We have organized a pleasant and unordinary gathering for you at specially designed workshops at the Old Castle Celje. Specialized animators guide you in performing specific exercises for building a team, while having an impact on both the individual as well as the entire group. The programmes are aimed at businesses and other organizations that wish to have a creative and highly motivated working environment or at those who would like to raise their organizational culture to a higher level, in which each individual will contribute to the common goal. It is suitable for all structures within a company. The special feature of the castle workshops are the “medieval challenges” — fencing and archery contests to demonstrate “what individuals/group are made of”!

 

 

In Slovenia we have more beautiful castles such as:

 

• Ljubljana Castle
• Ptuj Castle
• Postojna Castle
• Velenje Castle
• Bled Castle and more…

 

For more information go to www.gradovi.net