Otocec Castle

Otočec is the only Slovenian castle built on an island, sitting on a small piece of ground in the middle of the Krka with a wooden bridge to each bank. In the thirteenth century it was the home of the de Werde nobles. Burned in the war and rebuilt in the 1950s, it has run as a hotel and restaurant ever since, so the interiors are hotel interiors rather than historic rooms.

History

The castle was the home of the de Werde nobles in the 13th century and was later owned by Ivan Lenković, leader of the Uskoks, and the writer Ivan Tavčar set two of his novels here. Its restoration began in 1952 and took six years, and its first restaurant opened in 1959 (Wikipedia, Otočec Castle).

What you'll find

• The island setting - the only Slovenian castle standing in the middle of a river.
• The two wooden bridges - the approach from either bank of the Krka.
• The courtyard - the inner court, open to those eating or staying.
• The Krka - the slow green river running around the walls.

When to go

Year round; the grounds and the outside are always accessible. Summer brings weddings and events that close parts of it. Autumn mist on the river is good for photographs.

Good to know

It is a hotel, and non-guests see the outside, the bridges and the grounds rather than historic interiors. Events and weddings can close the island entirely. The restaurant is expensive by local standards.

Nearby

Novo Mesto is west, and Kostanjevica na Krki is southeast.

Key facts