Tourist Atractions

Radgona Castle

Radgona Castle rises on a 265-meter-high hill, offering a beautiful view of the surrounding area. It was first mentioned in historical records in the 12th century when it was built by the nobleman Radigoj, who was of Slovenian origin. Both the castle and the later settlement and town were named after him. Initially, it was believed that the name derived from the German word “Rad” (wheel), which also appears in the Radgona coat of arms, but later findings link it to the founder’s name.

The castle underwent numerous changes and renovations over the centuries. The oldest surviving depiction from 1603 shows an elongated two-story building with small windows and two square towers of different sizes. By the end of the 17th century, the castle had expanded into a large structure with walls and turrets, as depicted in a 1681 engraving. The entrance to the castle led through an outer courtyard surrounded by single-story farm buildings. The stone portal, where the chain openings for the drawbridge are still visible, has iron-clad doors with a massive, baroquely decorated lock. Above the entrance is the Herberstein family coat of arms and a stone plaque with an inscription. The inner courtyard, surrounded by arcades, leads to the central castle building, which is two stories high and fully cellared. The castle also had its own 56-meter-deep well, which was a crucial water source for the residents.

In the 12th century, the first owners of the castle were the Spanheim counts, and later, ownership changed hands several times. In 1789, the Herbersteins sold the castle to the Wurmbrandt family, who maintained it until 1914. At that time, it was purchased by Count Karel Chorinsky, who kept the castle until 1931 when the estate was sold off in parts. After World War II, the castle was used as a primary school for a while, but after the school moved out in 1974, the castle began to decay rapidly.

In 1991, when the castle was almost completely destroyed and looted, it was leased by Milan Herzog. He thoroughly restored it with his own funds and restored its former glory. Today, Radgona Castle is an important cultural monument that bears witness to the rich history and architectural heritage of this part of Slovenia. In addition to the castle, the external features, such as the stone bridges with baroque busts and the chestnut avenue, added refinement to the entire complex. Of these elements, only two statues from the “Knight’s Avenue” that once adorned the approach to the castle have been preserved.