The Ljubljana castle
1.) Quick jump through history.
Ljubljana Castle is a medieval fortress whose construction started in the 11th century, known as the High Middle Ages in Europe. It was a sudden decline of Byzantine power rise of Norman domination over much of Europe, along with the prominent role of notably influential popes. Initially, the castle got constructed as a defense structure for the Roman army.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, its purpose was to defend against Ottoman invasion and peasant revolt. Between the 17th and 18th centuries, baroque became the arsenal. In the late 18th century, occupied by the French, it served as military barracks and a hospital. In 1815 under the Austrian Empire, it became a prison, which remained until 1895, with a hiatus between 1848 and 1868, resuming that function during World War II.
2.) Castle Architecture.
The current entrance to the castle is a bridge built in the 17th century. To the right is the Archers' Tower, built in the 15th century. Next to it is a gunpowder store. From the outside, it is possible to see the defense openings. The defense wall connects two towers the tower of the shooters and the Tower of Erasmus. The bandit Erazem Lueger, known as Erazem Predjamski. Erazem Predjamski got locked up at Ljubljana Castle prison. He escaped through a secret exit and returned to his Predjama Castle. You can visit together with the Postojna cave. Anyway, no one understood how he managed to escape. The prison space of the Ljubljana castle lies between the castle wall and the natural rock. The only access to the prison is from the patio. The prisoners were lowered to the pit by a rope or a chain. The panoramic tower is the highest of all in Ljubljana castle.
3.) The Castle Today.
Visitors can access a castle by road, funicular, and several trails through the surrounding forest. It takes about 10min, and the ascent is feasible. The round ticket for a funicular costs around 4EUR per person.
The has gone through a lot throughout history. A big part of the interior has been renovated. So you'll find the interior garden architectural mixture of modern and antique. The panoramic tower used to be wood at the beginning. As you climb the top, you will be happy that it is entirely from concrete today. Wooden construction would be moving under the wind up there.
Inside, you'll find some museums and exhibitions. The stylish restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious chocolate cake in its garden.
Visitors interested in a guided tour through Ljubljana city, funicular, and access to the panoramic tower can make a reservation here.
Up inside once the shooting tower is another restaurant called Strelec.
Visitors are interested in a more detailed castle experience for those who offer different packages.
a.) Take the funicular to the Castle.
b.) Take the funicular to the Castle and have an audioguide.
c.) Guided tour, The Time Machine.
d.) An adventure game, Escape the Castle.