Dolenjska castles conceal and reveal tales of famous knights, brave warriors of yore, Baroque painters, medieval lovers, and famous preachers. In their midst are the churches with their pilgrimage tales and unique architecture, museums preserving a well-known as well as lesser known heritage, and views of rivers which have over the centuries witnessed many a thing. All this can be experienced by the visitor with the help of tales which the hospitable people of Dolenjska, proud of their rich heritage, love to tell the curious traveler who spends a few days in those places where the stories originated ...

Day 1:
The story begins in Trebnje, where you can see Trebnje Castle as you turn off the Ljubljana-Novo mesto highway. The castle used to be in the possession of the family of Friderik Baraga, the well-known missionary and bishop who in the 19th century authored a number of books in the Ojibwa language for "his" Indians. In Trebnje you can also visit the Gallery of Naive Artists (1) and the neighboring Parish Church of the Virgin. Round off your impressions of Trebnje with a delicious meal and head towards Žužemberk, which boasts one of the mightiest Slovenian castles, situated above the Krka River.
Its renovated Renassiance ramparts make for one of the most attractive photographic motifs to be had from the opposite bank of the Krka. The history of this castle and the stories behind its lords are re-enacted at the annual Knights' Tournament. Continue along the Krka River, with its unique calc tufa cascades, to nearby Soteska and the ruins of Soteska Castle (2), which was burned to the ground during World War II.
On the grounds of the former castle park is a garden pavilion called Hudičev turn, with magnificent frescoes by the Baroque painter Almanach. Continue on past Dolenjske Toplice, in whose vicinity you can stop for lunch, to Novo mesto and nearby Otočec, the only remaining Slovenian island castle (3). Otočec Castle is situated on an island amid the Krka River. One of the most scenic settings in Slovenia, Otočec sports a beautiful park, a network of footpaths through its green surroundings, and any number of recreational opportunities. Conclude this first chapter of castle adventures with a visit to the pilgrimage Church of Mary (4) in Stopno (go in the direction of Brežice and take the turnoff for Škocjan) with the 15th century frescoes by Janez Ljubljanski in the presbytery. End the day with dinner and a room somewhere between Otočec and Metlika.

Day 2:
Continue your castle adventures with a visit to the Slovenian Firefighters' Museum (5) in Metlika Castle. To Metlika belongs the honor of being the first town to organize a fire brigade, in 1869. After viewing the exhibits at the Firefighters' Museum, tour the other parts of the castle, where the Bela Krajina Museum (6) has its collections on display.
Afterwards walk around the town center to the former command post of the Teutonic Knights. Treat yourself to a good lunch in Metlika or one of the nearby villages.
Just three kilometers from Metlika are the Three Parishes in Rosalnice (7) -three 15th century Gothic pilgrimage churches standing side by side. From Rosalnice continue on to Črnomelj, and from there to Stari trg ob Kolpi, where there is the enchanting Baroque-style Church of St. Joseph and a view of an idyllic landscape.
The region along the Kolpa River from Stari trg to Fučkovci has been incorporated into the Kolpa Regional Park. Castle adventurers will find for themselves here along the river a comfortable resting spot ...

Day 3:
From Stari trg go to Kočevje, and from there to Stojna to see the ruins of Friedrichstein Castle. The castle offered a refuge to the ill-fated lovers Frederick II of Celje and Veronika Deseniška. If a trek up the hill seems too strenuous, as an alternative you can stroll around the town and visit the Kočevje Regional Museum (8), located in Šešek house.
From Kočevje go on to Ribnica, home to producers of wooden ware and pottery. You can learn all about these traditional Ribnica cottage industries from the master craftsmen themselves in Ribnica Castle (9). In front of the castle is a memorial park dedicated to eminent local personalities.
On the way to Ljubljana add to your collection of stories and impressions with a stop at Turjak (10), the castle of the Turjak nobility, whose members earned military honors in battles against the Turks. Jurij Dalmatin, the first translator of the Bible into Slovene, was among those who preached in the castle chapel. He also hid in the castle from his pursuers on more than one occasion. As you leave the Renaissance castle, stop to view the huge linden tree in front of it, which the poet France Prešeren mistakenly referred to as an oak in his poem Rozamunda of Turjak. But tales are a matter of individual memory, are they not? By the time you arrive in Ljubljana your own memories will be full of your own stories and experiences ...