dvorci, gradovi in utrdbe

castles, manor houses and fortifications

Slovenian Castles and Manors – Stone Witnesses of History

Slovenia is a country that boasts an exceptional density of castles and manors. More than 920 castle buildings have been built on its territory, including castles, fortresses, manors, manor houses and towers. Of these, 329 were defined as castles, which represents approximately 36.5% of all buildings. Their condition is diverse: 90 castles are preserved, 99 are in ruins, 35 are modest ruins, 67 are preserved only in traces, while 38 buildings have completely disappeared.

Why so many castles in Slovenia?

The reason for such a large number of castles in the area of ​​present-day Slovenia is historically and geographically determined. For centuries, Slovenia was part of the Holy Roman Empire, later the Habsburg Monarchy, and lay on the border between various influential powers – between the Germanic, Romanesque and Ottoman worlds. Castles were built as defensive fortifications, feudal residences and symbols of the power of the nobility. Due to the rugged terrain, they were often built on hills, which allowed for strategic control over valleys, roads and rivers.

During the period of Turkish invasions, castles served as refuges for the population, and in more peaceful times as centers of administration, culture and economy. The mansions that were built later, especially in the Baroque period, were more residential and aesthetic, often surrounded by gardens and parks.

In modern times, the importance of castles is no longer measured only in their defensive function, but in their cultural, historical and identity value. Many castles are now ruins that are quickly losing their story without proper documentation. This is where the burger.si project comes in, which uses photographs, panoramic shots, 3D models and interactive presentations to visually revive these objects.

The visualizations within burger.si serve not only as an archive, but also as a tool for education, research and accessibility. They enable castles to be visited by those who cannot physically visit them – people with limited mobility, students, researchers and foreigners who want to learn about Slovenian heritage. The project thus democratizes access to cultural heritage and at the same time promotes its preservation.

Slovenian castles and manors are stone witnesses of centuries that tell stories about wars, diplomacy, art and everyday life. Their documentation and visual presentation are key to preserving collective memory. With its pioneering visualization, the burger.si project not only records, but also revives Slovenian castle heritage – thereby enabling history not to be lost in ruins, but to come to life in digital light.

author: Boštjan Burger