Brdo Castle

Brdo Manor near Kranj – Where History, Nature, and State Protocol Intertwine

Brdo Manor near Kranj is one of the most important and recognizable manor residences in Slovenia, set within the picturesque landscape of Gorenjska. The estate lies on the outskirts of the village of Predoslje, northwest of Kranj, at the transition between the flat expanse of the Kranj Plain and the first foothills of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps. Its location is both strategically positioned and aesthetically striking: to the east, the view opens toward the Kamnik Alps, while to the west the terrain gently descends toward the Kokra River. The extensive park surrounding the manor is interwoven with tree-lined avenues, ponds, and meadows, forming a harmonious blend of architecture and nature. Today, the entire estate serves as the venue for the protocol events of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, giving the manor a distinct state-level significance.

The present manor was built in 1510 by the Carniolan nobleman Jurij Egkh. Originally designed in the Renaissance style, it reflected the architectural trends of the time, combining defensive features with an emphasis on elegance. Over the centuries, the manor underwent numerous renovations and stylistic transformations, each reflecting the tastes and ambitions of its successive owners. As a result, its architecture today reveals a layered historical identity, shaped by Renaissance, Baroque, and Biedermeier influences.

In the 18th century, the manor was purchased by Michelangelo Zois, father of the renowned Enlightenment patron Žiga Zois. Although Zois the elder did not undertake major architectural changes, his ownership is significant due to the family’s prominent role in Slovenian cultural history. During the 19th century, the manor changed hands several times, with each owner adapting it according to personal vision. These alterations gradually obscured the original Renaissance structure and created an increasingly eclectic architectural character.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the manor began to deteriorate due to poor maintenance. A turning point came after the First World War, when it was purchased by Prince Paul Karađorđević. He transformed the rural manor into a summer royal residence in the Biedermeier style, reflecting the refinement and comfort typical of European aristocratic estates. Between 1935 and 1941, Brdo hosted numerous distinguished guests, including Edward VIII, King of the United Kingdom, which attests to the estate’s international prominence at the time.

After the Second World War, the manor was confiscated from the Karađorđević dynasty and became the summer residence of Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito. He frequently hosted foreign dignitaries at Brdo, and it was here, in the spring of 1980, that he spent his final days before being transferred to a hospital in Ljubljana. Following his death, the estate passed into the ownership of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia, and after independence, it came under the administration of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, which continues to use it for high-level protocol events.

The interior of the manor today resembles a gallery of Slovenian modernist art. It is adorned with paintings, frescoes, and sculptures by renowned artists such as France Mihelič, Maksim Sedej, Boris and Zdenko Kalin, and Karel Putrih. Their works create a dialogue between art and statehood, revealing the cultural richness of Slovenia.

Brdo Manor is therefore not merely an architectural monument but a space where history, politics, art, and nature converge. Its geographical setting, historical role, and contemporary function place it among the most significant cultural and protocol landmarks in Slovenia. The manor embodies more than five centuries of history, still alive in its halls, park, and the state events it continues to host.