the search
Slovenia
Bled Castle Museum
Pre-Christian
Video presentations enrich the displays, and the building itself provides familiar Celtic style. The museum in this stunning setting welcomes guests to linger on its inviting terraces and restaurant, with traditional Celtic hospitality.
Bogensperk
Permanent and temporary exhibits enhance the understanding of this castle for which 17th century author and illustrator Janez Valvasor is renown. Wagensberg, in German, was also a home base for the Duchess of Mecklenburg, who prior to WWI uncovered thousands of Iron Age artifacts. Part of her collection belongs to Harvard’s Peabody Museum and Harvard Press has published a book about her finds in Slovenia and Hallstatt.
Celje, Castle on the hill, Counts of Celje
Pre-Christian & medieval
Both the fortifications here on the hilltop and the view they afford give a sense of Celtic love of beauty and their extensive defensive systems.
Celje, Regional Museum, Counts of Celje domain
medieval
From the 11th century, the Counts of Celje served as officials in the overall defensive system of duchies, with multiple counties constituting one duchy. This was their official residence.
Celje Archaeological Museum
This tombstone with a scene from the Trojan War is an example of the vast collection in the Archaeological Museum in Cell.
Ljubljana, National Museum
Pre-Christian
“Norico-Pannonian girl as shown on a funerary monument from Klagenfurt in southern Austria.” These and other displays from the first several centuries of the current era distinguish this rich collection of pre- and post- Roman occupation artifacts.
Metlika Museum
A collection like this in a surprising out-of-the-way refuge castle exemplifies both the importance and commonality of Celtic style.
Lower Carniola Museum,
or the Dolenjska Museum
in Novo Mesto
Horses prance along on a wine-mixing vessel, or situla, in the Dolenjska Museum in Novo Mesto, in an impressive collection of local Celtic artifacts.
Otocec Castle
Although the castle is now a private hotel on the island, the grounds and parklands remain open to the public. The courtyard is a perfect place for afternoon tea. Nearby thermal resort Šmarješke Toplice features parklands and connections with hiking trails. The island in the river and nearby Novo mesto in a loop in the river made prime defensible places.
Pleterje Abbey
An abbey still known for its spirits, namely distillations of fruits like pear, apple and plum, visitors are still welcomed into restricted areas of its operations. Products are for sale in the tourist shop.
Ptuj, Castle Museum
Pre-Christian & medieval
Said to be Slovenia’s oldest Roman town, the town known as Poetovia must have housed an earlier Celtic one until it was overtaken. The view of the Pannonian Plains is splendid on a clear day, and old town is fascinating. A pedestrian bridge over the river connects with a thermal resort.
Stična Abbey
Pre-Christian & medieval
Historically Stična was renown for its library and agriculture. The library was burned in the Middle Ages, consistent with the theory that the older abbeys began as Celtic bastions of learning. Roman Catholics notoriously burned books of peoples they were overtaking, for example throughout South America and the Phillipines.
Žiče Abbey
medieval
A center for illuminated manuscripts, pottery and wine, this complex also contains ruins of an old festive hall and hording. Gardens provided sustenance inside and outside the walls.