LOCATIONS

Brdo

Brdo is a place chosen by history to be important - nobles, kings and presidents have visited here and looked for inspiration and peace in this beautiful environment. A mirror of natural beauty as well as a testimony of time, Brdo is open to the benevolent visitor who wishes to encounter this natural and historical experience and listen to its testimony...

Like all authentic stories this one begins in a mighty castle, which will celebrate its five hundredth anniversary at the turn of the millennium. As early as in 1446, a manor house already existed in the site of the present castle. After changing many owners, in 1935 the castle became the property of the royal family of Karadjordjević, who completely rearranged the castle and the estate. After the Second World War the castle and the adjoining lands were transformed into the summer residence of the President Tito.

The castle library has for 400 years kept one of the greatest jewels of the Slovene nation - the Dalmatin translation of the Bible ( 1584). The history of Brdo is closely associated with the name of Zois, who were one of the richest old feudal families in the Kranjska region of Slovenia.

Today the castle has five luxurious apartments and there is a dining room that can offer selected gastronomy for sedate dinners. Should you happen to enjoy a more contemporary style the hotel Kokra offers all the comforts and conveniences of an alpine Slovene "B" category hotel.

The castle and hotel are surrounded by 500 hectares of carefully maintained grounds, that lure the visitor to explore -on foot, by carriage or in the saddle of a stallion from the nearby riding school. Within the riding school there is a breeding centre for American buggy horses. On the first Sunday in September these horses compete in the traditional horse races held at the nearby hippodrome.

In the magical environment of Brdo one can find carefully cultivated floral parks that reflect their beauty in the eleven lakes. Colourful rainbows appear over these lakes whose surfaces are occasionally broken by the movements of the trout, carp and pike that live beneath. Under the shadow of the ancient beech promenade one can listen to the song of forest birds flirting with their aquatic cousins the grey heron and the duck. The mighty pine and oak forests, alive with bird song, offer shelter to stags and fallow deer. There is especially for the visitor a wooden hut and Duck Island where one can enjoy in the pleasant coolness of a summer evening the peace and tranquility of an intimate supper.

The Brdo Complex is the most precious asset amongst all those of the Protocolary Service of the Republic of Slovenia and serves various diplomatic and other purposes.