Easy hikes and walks around Kozje

From 1881 to 1941, Rajhenburg Castle was a Trappist monastery. Today, the castle houses a museum and a gourmet restaurant.

From Grmada (481 meters above sea level), you have a magnificent view of the Pannonian Plain and the Krško Fields. On a clear day, you can even see the Kamnik Alps.

Admission to the city tour is €5. Parking is free.

From a sixty-meter-high rocky pier above the confluence of the Brestanica stream and the Sava river, Rajhenburg Castle has been controlling the surrounding area for centuries. The castle building was built between 1131 and 1147 by the powerful owner of the estate, Archbishop Konrad of Salzburg, as evidenced by the oldest, Romanesque part of the building. For centuries, the building and the associated estate were managed by ministeriales, who were named after the castle – the Rajhenburg family. This was an influential family that achieved the title of knight in the 15th century. After their extinction, their successors added more modern elements to the building and gradually gave it the appearance we admire today. In 1881, Rajhenburg was purchased by Trappist monks and converted into a monastery, which operated until the occupation in April 1941, when the German occupation authorities established a camp for the expulsion of Slovenes in the castle and its associated outbuildings. In 1947, the Trappist order was dissolved and the castle was nationalized. A year later, in June, the Correctional Institution for Women was opened, and later other penal institutions. Since 1968, when an exhibition on Slovenian exiles was opened in it, it has been primarily intended for museum and event activities. After the denationalization process was completed in 2004, the castle is owned by the Municipality of Krško, and the completely renovated building is now managed by the Krško Cultural Center. During various events (concerts, theater performances, lectures, etc.), visitors can learn about the history of the castle, the town, and the entire area at permanent and temporary exhibitions. By walking through the building, they gain insight into the development of castle architecture from Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance to modern times. The castle boasts two chapels: Romanesque from the 12th century and Gothic from the 16th century. The Renaissance living area with a luxurious hall is completed by a room with rich fresco paintings. The museum exhibitions of the Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia offer us an insight into the history of the Trappist monks, the fate of Slovenian exiles and the time when various penal institutions operated in the castle. Visitors can also see castle furniture from the collections of the National Museum of Slovenia, views of Brestanica from the end of the 19th century and motifs from social and community life presented on the presented postcards, and the castle also exhibits noble medals from the Olympic Games and world championships of the most famous Brestanica athlete Primož Kozmus. The Renaissance hall is enriched by the works of the academic painter Jože Ciuha, and art exhibitions are also organized in the large hall, which is marked by a four-winged Gothic window with a stone cross. Rajhenburg Castle is one of the most important monuments of medieval castle architecture in Slovenia, which is why we place great emphasis on the building history of the building. The castle cellar houses a sparkling wine library, and the museum shop offers exhibition catalogues, numerous local products and Brestanica chocolate. The completely renovated castle with its picturesque location and exemplary renovated interior is also an excellent setting for wedding ceremonies, and modern equipment makes the entire building accessible to people with disabilities. The complete renovation of the castle building, which took place between 2010 and 2012, was financed within the framework of the Operational Programme for Strengthening Regional Development Potentials for the period 2007–2013, development priorities Connecting natural and cultural potentials − priority directions Networking cultural potentials.

The steep climb is well worth doing to have a break at beautiful spot!

The aristocratic town of Veliki Tabor is one of the most important cultural and historical monuments of the profane architecture of continental Croatia. Veliki Tabor is exceptional precisely because of its monumental and authentic fortification architecture. With its location on the top of Hum Košnićki, at 333 m above sea level, it has dominated the Zagorje region for more than half a millennium - the architecture has actually merged with nature, forming a unique image. The view from Veliki Tabor to the entire Croatian Zagorje and part of Slovenia is also impressive. This cultural monument of the highest zero category is one of the most recognizable identities, not only of Hrvatsko Zagorje, but also of Croatia. Opinions of the profession are divided over the dating of the Great Camp. Some are of the opinion that the oldest part of Veliki Tabor was built in the middle of the 15th century, while others believe that the construction of the oldest part began only after 1502. The recently conducted conservation research, comparative architectural analysis and analysis of the discovered archaeological finds speak in favor of earlier dating of the oldest part of Veliki Tabor (mid-15th century). More .... https://www.veliki-tabor.hr/o-muzeju/pregled/povijest Much more about the Palace ... https://www.veliki-tabor.hr/

The fort of Veliki Tabor is one of the most important cultural and historical monuments of secular architecture in continental Croatia, with a unique monumental and authentic fortification structure. Situated at the top of Mount Hum Košnički, at 333 meters above sea level, it has dominated the Zagorje area for over half a millennium, during which time the architecture has blended in with nature. The impressive view from Veliki Tabor stretches over the entire Hrvatsko Zagorje area and part of Slovenia.

Rajhenburg was mentioned in older literature as the oldest document-certified castle in Styria. Documents mention it as early as the 12th century. It was named after the former rulers, the wealthy knights of Reichenburg. Finally, it was ruled by French monks - Trappists. Today, the castle has been restored and is home to the following exhibitions: an exhibition on the history of the castle and the town entitled Brestanica through time, an exhibition on Trappist monks, an exhibition on Slovene exiles and an exhibition on political prisoners and internees. Worth seeing.