The Otočec castle

Cultural sights, Novo mesto - The Dolenjska region

The Otočec castle, built on one of the islands in the Krka river, is the only castle in Slovenia that is completely surrounded by water. Its present architecture originates from the transitional period between the Romanesque and the Gothic eras. The original unfortified building with a rectangular ground plan was later expanded, giving it an L-shape. To protect the castle from Turkish assaults, a new outer wall was added and fortified with towers at the corners. The castle park on the island was created under the Schweiger – Larchenfeld family (1727-1850), but its original form has been lost to the centuries. With the beautiful island park, the castle reflected in the clear water of the Krka river and the white mute swans, Otočec is truly a magical place.