Grad Bogenšperk

About the museum

Bogenšperk entered history and Slovenian national consciousness thanks to the Carniolan polymath Janez Vajkard Valvasor (1641–1693), who lived and worked at the castle for twenty years. All his famous works were created behind its walls, one of the largest libraries of his time grew here, and he also assembled the first collections of rare and curious objects. His collecting activity at Bogenšperk is regarded as the beginning of Slovenian museum history.

The museum in the castle presents the life and work of Janez Vajkard Valvasor as well as the history of the castle and the surrounding area. The exhibition Bogenšperk skozi čas (Bogenšperk Through Time) shows the development of the castle from its beginnings under the Wagen family, through its role as a cultural and scientific centre in Valvasor's time and as a summer residence of the Windisch-Graetz family, to today's public cultural institution. Valvasor's study with a copperplate printing workshop holds a copy of Slava vojvodine Kranjske from 1689, and four original books by the polymath from the last quarter of the 17th century are also on display.

On the second floor there are furnishings from the time of the last owners, and the former castle library is furnished in the style of that period. The castle is a cultural monument of national importance and is run by the public institute Javni zavod Bogenšperk. The castle also houses the exhibition Vraževerje in čarovništvo na Slovenskem, the Rusko-slovenski center Davorina Hostnika and a gallery.

Highlights

• The castle where Janez Vajkard Valvasor lived and worked for twenty years
• Valvasor's study with a reconstruction of the first copperplate printing workshop in Slovenia
• Copy of Slava vojvodine Kranjske from 1689
• Exhibition Vraževerje in čarovništvo na Slovenskem
• Castle library with original cabinet and organ

Permanent exhibitions

• Valvasoriana – Permanent exhibition on the life and work of Janez Vajkard Valvasor, with new findings about the polymath and life in Carniola in the 17th century.
• Valvasorjeva delovna soba z bakrotiskarno – Reconstruction of the first copperplate printing workshop on Slovenian soil and Valvasor's cabinet with a copy of Slava vojvodine Kranjske from 1689.
• Vraževerje in čarovništvo na Slovenskem – Overview exhibition on the persecution of witchcraft, the fates of the accused and the echoes of witchcraft up to the present day.

Operated by

Javni zavod Bogenšperk

Admission & discounts

The price list applies from 1 January 2025; prices include VAT, and payment by card is also possible. Members of Slovenskega muzejskega društva also have free admission. The chapel of the Rusko-slovenski center Davorina Hostnika is free of charge.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The castle offers educational programmes for primary school pupils (a graphic workshop, Danes smo grajski arhitekti, Potovanje v preteklost v spremstvu grajskih gospodov) and a family ticket.

Getting there & parking

The castle lies near Šmartno pri Litiji. The Tehniški muzej Slovenije has a branch at the castle with Valvasor's graphic and hunting collection.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Castle shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings take place at the castle (including in the castle library), and rooms are rented out.

Plan your visit