HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
The Mirna castle is one of the oldest in Slovenia, it first appears in written sources already in 1165 AD.
Castle is located north of the settlement of Mirna Village, on a relief pier between the valleys of the river Mirna and the Vejar stream.
Among the locals, the castle is known as “the Sleeping beauty”. Denoted by many historical periods, Mirna is a melting point of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque stylistic features, which makes it a rare monument of medieval architecture in the country.
World War II brought dark clouds above the Mirna castle. In 1942 it was intentionally burned down and almost completely destroyed. Fortunately, professor dr. Marko Marin received permission for the renovation in 1965, which he in the large majority financed himself.
The building has been registered as a monument of local importance since 1996.
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
Mirna Village lies in Mirna Valley and is its largest settlement. Formed by the River Mirna, the valley is situated at the crossing of major regional roads and lies alongside the railway line linking it to major cities in the region.
River Mirna is first mentioned in a testament in the early 1016 AD, when King Henry II left the estates within the banks of rivers Sava, Savinja, Sotio and Mirna to count William II, the son of the Countess and Saint Hemma of Gurk. As a noblewoman and founder of several churches and monasteries in the Duchy of Carinthia, Saint Hemma of Gurk is regarded as an important historical figure in Slovenian history.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDINGS
When you first step into the courtyard of the castle, you are surprised by the size of the complex surrounding you. Looking around you spot a Renaissance bridge, which is now newly covered with red brick, and fascinates every visitor with its unique arcades.
The oldest part of the castle is the late Romanesque house, which today forms the southeast corner of the central palace. Built from typical large stone square blocks, the three-storey house has a typical Romanesque rectangular floor plan that was built in the second half of the 11th century. During the time of Turkish invasions, Mirna castle became fortified, owners built an arcaded defensive wall to protect the castle and the land surrounding it. At that time an additional defensive tower lying just below the castle was built. At the start of the 17th century Castle was again rebuilt based on the modern renaissance principles. It was then when Sleeping Beauty was enriched with a castle garden.
● The total castle area is 1737m2
● Central Palace 1065
EXTERIORS
The Castle and its property (land in the size of 2,413 m2) is defined as an area for tourism. In addition to the castle, there is also a large plot (5,260 m2), intended as an area for rest and recreation. The exterior includes agricultural and forest land.
USE AND POTENTIAL USES
Historical monuments, exceptional culinary, world-class wine and stunning nature are all integrated within the Dolenjska region.
The development of Mirna Village is directly connected with Mirna Castle – its main attraction.
In Mirna Castle, there’s a potential for an interplay between public and private space. Opportunities for the private space being open to the public are numerous: from the boutique hotels, restaurants, cafes, conference rooms, wedding ceremonies.
Check the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsWYMbOYMWs
