Ruins of Gornji Rogatec Castle

It was first mentioned in written sources in 1192, but it was probably built as early as the 11th century. Gornji Rogatec Castle, as it came to be known in later history, served not only as a residence for its lords but also had a military and defensive role. It was surrounded by two interconnected walls, and somewhat lower, beneath the castle, there was a third wall, which was linked to the market at the foot of the hill by two extensions.

In the summer of 1574, Gornji Rogatec Castle was completely destroyed by fire, leaving only the walls, ceilings, and auxiliary buildings intact. That same year, it was rebuilt as a three-story castle with three wings. To its west stood a square tower, believed to have housed dungeons and torture chambers.

The castle remained unchanged until the 19th century, when it began to gradually deteriorate, and the residents moved out. By 1810, the castle was still standing, but its then-owners, the Attems family, no longer maintained it, leading to its gradual decay in the following decades. Today, only the stone structures remain. Although little is left of the once-mighty castle, the ruins represent an important element of Rogatec’s identity and the wider area, as well as a valuable resource for studying the development of medieval castle architecture.