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Castle · Kamnik, Osrednjeslovenska
Mali grad de Kamnik
A hill in the middle of the old town with the remains of an 11th‑ or 12th‑century castle and a two‑storey Romanesque chapel over a crypt, with frescoes. From the top you can see Kamnik’s roofs and the Alps.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Mali grad de Kamnik
Mali grad, “small castle” in Slovene, occupies a small hill in the middle of Kamnik’s old town, above the passage where the medieval road ran. The castle was built in the 11th or early 12th century and is mentioned in documents from 1202. After the 1511 earthquake what remained was dismantled, leaving stretches of wall, a defensive tower and the chapel.
The chapel is what makes the place special. It has three levels: a crypt carved into the rock, a lower chapel dedicated to Saint Eligius, with the presbytery of the first church, from around 1100, and an upper chapel dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, added in the 13th century and covered by a Gothic vault after 1470. Externally it received a Baroque form around 1700.
The interior preserves frescoes from several periods: Gothic and Baroque remnants and paintings by Janez Potočnik, made after 1771. A local legend says Countess Veronika hid a treasure in the ruins.
Even if the chapel is closed, it’s worth climbing for the view. From the top you can see Kamnik’s red roofs, Zaprice Castle, the Žale church and, to the north, the Kamnik–Savinja Alps.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 minutes to climb and see the view; an hour if you visit the chapel.
Best time
In summer, when the chapel is usually open to visitors. On clear days the Alpine view is sharper in the morning. The hill hosts cultural events throughout the year.
How to get there
Climb by steps from Glavni trg square or Šutna Street; it takes only a few minutes. One of the routes starts by the passage beneath the hill.
Tip
Check with the tourist information centre whether the chapel is open: outside summer it is usually closed. Combine the climb with a walk along Šutna, just below.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mali grad de Kamnik
What is there to see at Mali grad in Kamnik?
The two-storey Romanesque chapel over a crypt, with frescoes from various periods, the remains of the wall and the tower, and the view over the town and the Alps.
Is the Mali grad chapel open year-round?
No. It is usually open for visits in summer. For the rest of the year the hill can be visited, but the chapel is generally closed.
How long does it take to climb to Mali grad?
A few minutes from Glavni trg square, via steps. The climb is short but steep.