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Podravje, Slovenia

Borl Castle

Dolane 1, 2282 Cirkulane

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Borl Castle

BORL CASTLE TODAY

Today, Borl Castle is owned by the state and has the status of a cultural monument of national significance. In 2020, renovation started on approximately one-third of the castle, and the site reopened to the public in 2024. Members of the Society for the Revival of Borl Castle were passionately dedicated to the renovation and reopening of the castle. Today, visitors to the castle are welcomed by a pleasant café, and, in addition to exploring its rich history, they can also view the exhibition zDravo, which highlights the importance of biodiversity of the Drava’s riverbanks, which are protected as part of the Natura 2000 network.

History

ANKENSTEIN OR BORLYN IN THE PAST, BORL TODAY

The outline of Borl Castle can be seen from afar, which is why it is aptly known as the gateway to Haloze. It has stood majestically on a steep rock overlooking the River Drava since the 12th century. Due to its position, it protected a strategically important crossing over the River Drava, which is also reflected in its historical names – Hungarian Borlyn and German Ankenstein.

CASTLE OWNERS THROUGH HISTORY
The Sauer family was one of the castle’s most important owners. In the 17th century, they converted the castle into a comfortable residence and furnished it lavishly, giving it its current baroque look. It remained in their possession until 1801, after which it was acquired by the Wurmbrand-Stuppach family, which thoroughly renovated and elegantly furnished the castle in the mid-19th century. Between 1901 and 1922, the castle was owned by Max Kübeck and his wife Adalberta Kübeck, née Wurmbrand-Stuppach. They made the castle their home, but sold it to the Borlin joint-stock company due to the changed political situation following World War I.

BORL CASTLE RESORT
For almost thirty years, from 1952 to 1979, the Borl Castle operated as a popular resort. In its heyday, it had 1,200 seats and 120 beds, and on weekends, guests could enjoy a wide selection of food and live music. In a single weekend, they would sell up to 1,000 liters of the local wine and serve 700 kilograms of meat. A swimming pool opened in 1962, attracting up to 500 visitors a day in nice weather.

DECLINE IN THE LATE 20ᵀᴴ CENTURY
The resort closed in the late 1970s, after which the castle slowly began to fall into disrepair. The main reasons for the closure were the construction of a new road to Zagreb, the destruction of the bridge over the River Drava, the urgent need for renovations, and, most importantly, the opening of a new hotel and thermal resort in Ptuj.

Visit Borl castle

EXPLORE THE CASTLE’S RICH HISTORY
The castle boasts a spacious outer courtyard, an arcaded inner courtyard, and an outdoor terrace that offers magnificent views of the ancient town of Ptuj. The castle’s 17th-century Chapel of the Holy Trinity, with its opulent furnishings, is a real gem. The main altar once featured a depiction of Count and Countess Sauer holding an image of the castle. Unfortunately, this work of art was stolen at the end of the 20th century and remains missing to this day. Beneath the castle complex lies an interesting two-story wine cellar in the shape of the letter Z.

DISCOVER NATURE’S WONDERS
The site of the former swimming pool has become a natural wetland, and is now home to a variety of animal and plant species. The central castle tower, or bergfried, can be seen clearly from the castle park, with its mighty walls exceeding 12 meters in thickness in some places. Visitors are also invited to view the zDravo exhibition, which presents the importance of the biodiversity of the Drava’s riverbanks, which are part of the Natura 2000 network.

DISCOVER THE DELIGHTS OF HALOZE CUISINE
The castle has a charming café, where the air is filled with the enticing aromas of freshly brewed coffee and delicious house-made desserts. They also have authentic local dishes from Haloze and Dravsko Polje on their menu. The castle’s historic atmosphere also provides an ideal setting for events such as social gatherings, workshops, concerts and wedding celebrations.

Exhibitions

EXHIBITION zDRAVO
The castle is perched on a cliff above the confluence of the River Drava and the Bela creek. The river basin is a protected area of exceptional biodiversity, and is one of Slovenia’s most important nature conservation sites. Over 80% of the municipality of Cirkulane’s territory is designated as a Natura 2000 site. The river once served as the main transit route, but its flow regime was changed by hydroelectric power plants.

EXPLORE THE ENTIRE CYCLE OF THE RIVER DRAVA
The zDravo exhibition shows us how important rivers are to people’s lives, shaping them through their dynamics and processes and creating diverse habitats that are home to many protected plant and animal species. It is crucial to recognize the importance of preserving river branches, wetlands and floodplains, all of which are under increasing threat from intensive agriculture and urban development.

The exhibition presents the river and life alongside it in five sections:

The river is flowing water,
River the designer,
When the river flow slows down,
The river overflows its banks,
The river beneath our feet.

Each section explains river processes and presents plant and animal species and their habitats. The exhibition vividly illustrates everything that the river provides, while also reminding visitors that the river is endangered. It is an invitation to take action together.

MEET OUR EXHIBITION GUIDE: A RIVER ROCK FROM DRAVA
Zlatko Šoder (Goldie Gravel), a river rock from the River Drava, a nature lover, and a great fan of the river and everything related to it, will guide us through the exhibition. Fascinated by the river’s power to shape the environment, the living world along its banks, and the relationship between people and the river, Zlatko spends all his free time exploring the River Drava. He can explain why the River Drava is known as a gold-bearing river.

Explore the River Drava and discover the life of bats, frogs and other animals in the wetland, and learn about protected animal species such as the European pond turtle and the beaver.

Learn more about the River Drava at: https://dravabike.si/

SKILLS AND SECRETS OF MASTER WEAVERS
Baroque tapestries from Ptuj Castle in the light of their creation and preservation

Visiting exhibition of the Ptuj – Ormož Regional Museum

Would you like to know how the precious woven tapestries were created, what materials they are made of, and how they are repaired and preserved at the museum?

This exhibition on the skills and secrets of master weavers invites you to touch and create. It takes you into the world of fibers (silk, linen, cotton, wool, synthetic) and their origins, weaving techniques, and the making of natural dyes.

It is dedicated to the fortieth anniversary of the first textile conservation and restoration workshop in Slovenia and the one hundred and thirtieth anniversary of the Ptuj – Ormož Regional Museum.

Events

Discover Borl Castle’s renovated, modern spaces, which are ideal for unforgettable weddings, cultural events, concerts, business meetings and social gatherings. You can rent individual rooms or the entire castle complex. The rooms have excellent acoustics and are available to rent all year round, as the castle is heated in winter.

Attractions in the area

Cultural heritage enriches our environment and preserves the memory of our ancestors’ lives. Traditional buildings such as vinedresser’s and vineyard cottages, and stone-vaulted wine cellars still dot the Haloze countryside.

CIRKULANE HERITAGE PARK
The open-air ethnological museum provides a glimpse into our ancestors’ traditional way of life and work. Visitors can explore a traditional Haloze house (cimprača) from the early 19th century, a sty, a shed with a barn, an apiary, trellises, and a fragrant herb garden.

PARISH CHURCH OF ST. BARBARA
The Church of St. Barbara has been the seat of the parish since 1784. It was founded by Count Georg Friedrich Sauer after a devastating plague in the early 17th century. The church boasts a magnificent baroque bell tower which, at 52 meters tall, is one of the tallest in Slovenia. The 1819 fresco under the choir loft depicting Cirkulane is of particular significance.

ST. ANNE’S CHURCH, VELIKI VRH
The Church of St. Anne in Veliki Vrh was built in the 17th century on the initiative of the Counts of Sauer, who owned the Borl Castle at the time. Its location offers a stunning view of the surrounding area. According to folk tradition, prospective parents must circle the church twice on their knees if they want twins. There is a beautiful teaching vineyard next to the church.

LOVE BENCH BY ST. ANNE’S CHURCH

Next to St. Anne’s Church, you will find a bench with a carved heart, which is part of the nationwide Love Benches project. The bench offers stunning views of the Haloze vineyards, the medieval town of Ptuj, the River Drava and the Slovenske Gorice hills. These breathtaking views help to create unforgettable memories. To reach Veliki Vrh from Borl Castle, follow the path lined with the restored Stations of the Cross, which winds through the woods to your destination. The church was built in the 17th century by the Sauer family, who owned the Borl Castle at that time.

Location: Municipality of Cirkulane – Church of St. Anne in Veliki Vrh
Trail difficulty: easy
Altitude: 304 m

Did you know?
Each Love Bench carries a QR code. Scan it to create your own personalized interactive album, where you can record all the benches you visit and discover new ones.

DR. VLADIMIR BRAČIČ MEMORIAL ROOM
Dr. Vladimir Bracic, a distinguished educator, geographer, politician, and the first rector of the University of Maribor, was born in Cirkulane on 27 September 1919. His research work focused on social geography, with particular attention paid to Haloze and Cirkulane. A memorial room has been set up in the Rajher house, his birthplace, in the village center.

Contact & info

Location of the city:
Borl City
Dolane 1
BookingSuite 2018

Information:

Belana Public Institute

58, 2282 Umlauf

368(0)2 795 34 20

368(0)31 466 006

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Opening hours

Open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

May, June, September, October: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

July and August: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Fridays),

10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays)

November–April: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

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Borl

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Borl Castle

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