Vodriz Castle, Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia

Vodriž Castle was built in the early 14th century. It is situated on a picturesque ridge and its ruins have been preserved to the present day. It is interesting as an example of a castle whose possession was shared by several heirs or knights. A written document from 1338 records that it was divided among the Hebenstreit brothers.

The entrance into the castle was across a completely filled moat, which was well protected. On the northern side of the castle was guardhouse, on the left were buildings for servants. In the large square inner tower was a tight castle courtyard, to the left was two-story residential tower Palas, which means the main residential house. On the northern side on the left are the remains of the castle chapel. In residential buildings were wooden ceilings. Ground floor was used for a wine cellar, on upper floors were the lord’s rooms. Not far away from the castle was a cemetery, slightly lower along the path a castle pond, where the gallows stood. In the year 1766, the castle was burnt down, because the fat got lit while the cooks baked the donuts.

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Aljaž Alyaaz (2 years ago)
A very beautiful and huge castle. It's a shame that we no longer invest in our history and restore things so they don't fall into disrepair. This is our history.

Blaž Lasnik (2 years ago)
Underrated castle ruins. A nice hike to the top where the castle stands and not crowded

Janez Jurhar (4 years ago)
A wonderful cycling trip

Tim Novak (5 years ago)
A nice easy dog walk to the castle.

Vid Pogačnik (6 years ago)
Impressive castle ruins.

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Church of St Donatus