THE CASTLE OF SLOVENSKA BISTRICA

THE CASTLE OF SLOVENSKA BISTRICA   THE KNIGHT’S HALL
Slovenska Bistrica Castle was first mentioned in the 1227 written documents; and for the first time as a community of citizens in 1313. The Castle was first owned by the provincial nobility, and in 1587 it was purchased to become a private property. It was bought by the noble family Vetter – later Von der Lilie; before the end of the 17th century it became a property of Wildenstein’s (the family was known for formation of the Bistrica Castle park), and in 1717 it was bought by the counts of Attems’. It remained their property until 1945. The Slovenska Bistrica Castle is the central town and municipal cultural centre, and together with the Castle park they constitute a first-class monumental integrity. Since 1985 the Castle has been being carefully reconstructed.   The Knight's Hall originated at the end of the 17th century when the northern and southern castle tracts were joined. The renowned frescoes in the Attems hall are the work of the frescoes painter F.I. Flurer and were created between the years 1717 1721. They are excellent examples of illusionistic painting and are well preserved. Today numerous musical and other events are held in the Knight's Hall.
         
THE CASTLE CHAPEL   CASTLE PARK
The Castle Chapel is decorated with paintings. Frescoes, which are the work of F.I. Flurer, were probably done in the year 1721 and among all of Attems's commissions are the smallest and youngest, and according to the content of individual details are the most interesting. The chapel is dedicated to Mary, and such is the artistic symbolism. The frescoes on the ceiling have been renovated, but those on the walls are still waiting to be done.     The park originated in the second half of the 16th century and is a monument of natural form. In the course of time the original geometric plan of the park vanished; only the central axis with an avenue of beech trees has been preserved, while the remaining area of the park remained in a free landscape style. Despite occasional changes and degradation the remaining park is a true image of the former garden design. The Vetter family planted it in the French style. The Wildenstien family also embellished it at a later date. It was 85m wide, and over 240m long. Today only a little less than a quarter of the park is preserved.
The figures of Mercury and Hercules and the busts of the four seasons of the year, dating from the 17th century, which once stood in the park, now stand in Slovenska Bistrica castle.
In the 1990s together with the ruined wall the park was thoroughly renewed. Located in the area of the former park today are a health centre, primary school, sports hall and new road connection.

         
GRASL’S TOWER AND THE OLD TOWN WALLS
In the year 1339 Slovenska Bistrica got all the rights that other towns in the country had, also the right to a town wall.
The town was surrounded with defence devices at least by the beginning of the 13th century (palisade). During the time of the Turkish invasions the town’s people renovated the walls and added strongly fortified towers at the corners. In the year 1487 Santonino reported, that the town had a town wall, a moat, two ramparts and several doors with old towers. Fragments are still visible in the remains of the wall, in the preserved water moat by the Slovenska Bistrica castle and in the northwest and southwest corner towers. The northwest tower is part of the present-day castle building; the southwest tower that is called Grassl's tower (also Granary tower, Gunpowder magazine) has been beautifully restored. In its design one can trace three stages of construction. It is an extremely well preserved medieval building, which for at least two hundred and fifty years has changed very little. After the renovation work, which lasted several years - it was completed in the year 2004, the tower became a beautiful and spacious exhibition hall. The tower is beautiful example of preserved former market and town architecture.