Otocec Castle, Otočec, Slovenia - SpottingHistory.com

Otočec Castle is a castle hotel on a small island in the middle of the Krka River. It is the only water castle in Slovenia and one of the most picturesque images in the country and is a prominent cultural and natural monument.

The castle was first mentioned in documents in the 13th century, although the walls are said to date to the more precise date of 1252. It was once owned by Ivan Lenković, the chief commander of the Croatia-Slavonia march.

Over the centuries that followed the castle underwent architectural and ownership changes, passing from one noble family to another.

Medieval structure of the castle has changed in time, yet some of the architectural details were preserved and cannot be missed out on. One of the most important ones is the Renaissance portal dating back to the 16th century decorated with two marble medallions bearing maiden profiles.

At the beginning of World War II the castle was seized by the Italians and used as a fortress. In 1942, it was burnt by the Partisans and only ruins remained of the two bridges. Castle’s restoration began in 1952 with the restoration of the roof and lasted for six years, also with the help of international work brigades. In 1959, the first restaurant was opened in the restored castle. Over the next few decades the castle changed its appearance until it was restored to its original Gothic and Renaissance splendour as it houses one of the most outstanding hotels in Slovenia.

References:

Grad Otočec

User Reviews

Alex Bondarev (3 years ago)
Amazing looking place, the restaurant is excellent, the waiting staff is as excellent as the food is, it is properly priced and the overall feel after a visit is totally 5 stars. You can take a walk around the premises which are beautiful and serene and just have a very good time. Highly highly recommended.

Monir El Shazly (3 years ago)
A lovely place to have coffee and walk around...just tranquil :-)

Breda Dular (3 years ago)
The castel is really something special because it was built on the small island. You can walk around the island. If you have more time there is another castle near with the golf and you can walk to there next to the river. If you want to feel a little bit of luxury then go inside the castle Otocec and enjoy the drink or food. They have a very good restaurant.

Nadia K (3 years ago)
An upscale restaurant, perfect for a day trip on a weekend, any special occasion or just to treat yourself. The waiters are fast and almost invisible, like they should be. Food is served fast and with a beautiful display. There is free parking and a beautiful park to take a walk in after your meal. We had no issue getting a table without a reservation on a Saturday afternoon.

HISTRO zhang (3 years ago)
Frankly speaking the food is so so, if just ranking for food I prefer 3 star only, but the most valuable part is to walk outside the castle after you get yourself full. Quite, clean and green, you could sit on the bench and listen the river flow. Just enjoy the peace of life.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Honza Soukup

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Angelokastro

Angelokastro is a Byzantine castle on the island of Corfu. It is located at the top of the highest peak of the island"s shoreline in the northwest coast near Palaiokastritsa and built on particularly precipitous and rocky terrain. It stands 305 m on a steep cliff above the sea and surveys the City of Corfu and the mountains of mainland Greece to the southeast and a wide area of Corfu toward the northeast and northwest.

Angelokastro is one of the most important fortified complexes of Corfu. It was an acropolis which surveyed the region all the way to the southern Adriatic and presented a formidable strategic vantage point to the occupant of the castle.

Angelokastro formed a defensive triangle with the castles of Gardiki and Kassiopi, which covered Corfu"s defences to the south, northwest and northeast.

The castle never fell, despite frequent sieges and attempts at conquering it through the centuries, and played a decisive role in defending the island against pirate incursions and during three sieges of Corfu by the Ottomans, significantly contributing to their defeat.

During invasions it helped shelter the local peasant population. The villagers also fought against the invaders playing an active role in the defence of the castle.

The exact period of the building of the castle is not known, but it has often been attributed to the reigns of Michael I Komnenos and his son Michael II Komnenos. The first documentary evidence for the fortress dates to 1272, when Giordano di San Felice took possession of it for Charles of Anjou, who had seized Corfu from Manfred, King of Sicily in 1267.

From 1387 to the end of the 16th century, Angelokastro was the official capital of Corfu and the seat of the Provveditore Generale del Levante, governor of the Ionian islands and commander of the Venetian fleet, which was stationed in Corfu.

The governor of the castle (the castellan) was normally appointed by the City council of Corfu and was chosen amongst the noblemen of the island.

Angelokastro is considered one of the most imposing architectural remains in the Ionian Islands.

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