Kostel Castle

The Kostel Castle with its accompanying market is the second largest castle complex in Slovenia. Due to its exposed position above the River Kolpa and the difficult accessibility, it was an important obstacle or defensive point in the system of defence against the Turks at the time of the Turkish invasions, and at the same time it was included in the system of bonfires, which served to quickly inform about the approaching Turkish threat. In 1809, the people of Kostel attacked the French soldiers residing in the Castle, thus initiating the armed phase of the anti-French rebellion, the largest uprising against the French occupying authorities in Slovenia. After the vengeful burning of the Castle, the lower mansion was built on the edge of the square, which was destroyed during World War II. Nevertheless, the market settlement has preserved its character and is today the only inhabited settlement in the country of that kind. With the renovation and reconstruction works, the Castle was refurbished from the 1990s to a part of its former image, and the Castle gave the name and coat of arms to today's Municipality of Kostel. In it you can view the exhibition, enjoy the wonderful views across the valley of the River Kolpa and accompanied by a guide you can experience a pulse of the medieval days. The Castle is a wonderful stage for various cultural, music or business and culinary events.