Strmol Manor

The manor developed from a medieval residential tower that, in 1436, the Counts of Celje granted to Jakob Strmolski from Cerklje na Gorenjskem. The name has been preserved, although the manor changed quite a few owners throughout its picturesque history, including the Counts of Celje, the Strmolski, the Reising, the Dornberger, the Attems, and, as the last owners before World War II, the Counts of Windischgraetz.

Within the Renaissance architectural structure, the medieval design has been preserved, including the black medieval kitchen. A strong Baroque influence, with stucco work, frescoes, and attractively painted façades, places the manor among the important feudal buildings in Slovenia. The manor has been completely renovated and today hosts the Rogatec Handicraft Centre, where educational and experiential handicraft workshops are held for visitors.

In the western and eastern wings of the manor reside five professionally equipped handicraft workshops:

• a glassmaking workshop,

• a weaving workshop (willow and straw),

• a pottery and art workshop,

• a hand-weaving and contemporary textile design workshop,

• a carpentry workshop.

In these workshops, artisans handcraft unique items from wood, straw, willow, clay, fabric, and glass. These products can be purchased in the castle gallery or through the online shop e-Lodn: elodn.rogatec.si.

The manor is brought to life by numerous activities: picturesque exhibitions, concerts, the central Baroque salon with a study, a wedding hall with a chapel, a large ceremonial hall for events, the Strmol Castle Restaurant, and a shop offering handicrafts and souvenirs.

A unique experience offered by the manor is the glassmaking workshop, where visitors can use a glassblowing pipe to blow their own glass cup for home use.

On Saturdays, free experiential workshops are organized for visitors, with prior payment of the entrance fee for the castle tour required.

The manor tour is available with an audio guide in Slovenian and seven foreign languages (English, German, Italian, French, Croatian, Dutch, and Russian).