12th Castle Days

The Medieval Camp and the Open Day

21. May 2023 from 9:00 to 18:00, Ljubljana Castle

The Sunday events of the Castle Days will be enriched by medieval hustle and bustle in the Castle Park. With knightly duels, dance performances in the manner of European courts from the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, and a presentation of the skills of craftsmen from that time, we will conjure up a real medieval atmosphere.

In addition to knightly tournaments and festivities, falconry was also very popular in the Middle Ages. That is why the falcon, which is associated with knightly chivalry, has the reputation of a fearless, noble and loyal bird. These extraordinary and majestic birds of prey will once again rule the sky above the castle walls and conjure up an unforgettable experience that will leave no one unmoved.

Visitors will have an opportunity to try their hand at medieval games and skills such as archery, swordsmanship, axe throwing, and so on. Music will be provided by the ensemble Gallenberg Vagantes, while the juggling group Čupakabra and Teater Cizamo will ensure a humorous atmosphere.

The Ljubljana Castle’s activity leaders, who will be dressed in medieval costumes, and the castle mascot, Friderik the rat, will be a real feast for the eyes. They will mingle with visitors and add even more variety to the medieval events.

On this day, we will open the castle gates widely and give visitors a free tour of the Ljubljana Castle, including the Viewing Tower, the Virtual Castle, the Permanent Exhibition of Slovenian History and the Museum of Puppetry.

PROGRAMME:

9.30 am Ceremonial Opening and Tribute to Emperor Frederick III of Habsburg and His Wife Elenora of Portugal, Castle Courtyard
10:00 am Falconers’ Performance – Saint Bavon’s Company of Falconry, Castle Courtyard
10:45 am Troubadours’ Stories, performance – Čupakabra Jugglers Group, Castle Courtyard
11:00 am Time Machine, from Emona to a City Symbol, guided tour for adults in Slovenian and English, Ljubljana Castle*
11:15 am The Final Battle – Knight Order of St Nicholas, Defensive Moat
11:45 am Janissary – performance by the Acting Troupe of the Cultural Society of Knight Gašper Lambergar, Castle Courtyard
12:15 pm Knights’ Tournament – Order of the Royal Eagle, Castle Courtyard
12:30 pm Knights’ School – Adventurous Knights’ Cultural Society, Castle Courtyard
12:45 pm Gold Coin Hunt – Otočec Knights’ Society, Castle Courtyard
1:00 pm Time Machine, from Emona to a City Symbol, guided tour for adults in Slovenian and English, Ljubljana Castle*
3:00 pm The Quack, performance – Teater Cizamo, Castle Park
3:30 pm The Defensive Wall – Knight Order of St Nicholas, Defensive Moat
3:45 pm Sword Fighting Duels – Order of the Royal Eagle, Castle Park
4:00 pm Castle Celebration – performance by the acting troupe of the Cultural Society of Knight Gašper, Castle Park
4:30 pm Dance Performance – Galliarda Cultural Society, Castle Park
4:45 pm Falconers’ Performance – Saint Bavon’s Company of Falconry, Castle Courtyard
5:30 pm Ljubljana Buffoonery – performance by the Čupakabra Jugglers Group, Castle Courtyard.

Participants: Acting Troupe of the Cultural Society of Knight Gašper Lambergar, Saint Bavon’s Company of Falconry, Knight Order of St Nicholas, Otočec Knights’ Society, Celje Medieval Group, Order of the Royal Eagle Medieval Society, Golden Spur Society, Adventurous Knights’ Cultural Society, Galiarda Cultural Society, Čupakabra Jugglers Group, Teater Cizamo, Gallenberg Vagantes, BB Theatre Cultural Society, Manufaktura mojster Janez, Kirada the Palm Reader, Arbadakarba and the Ljubljana Castle activity leaders.

On this day, you can visit the Medieval Camp in the Castle Park (9:30 am–6:00 pm), take part in the creative workshop Conjure a Dragon or join the guided tour Time Machine, from Emona to a City Symbol (for adults, in Slovenian and English) at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

* The number of participants in the guided tours is limited. We will accept reservations for guided tours from Monday 15 May 2023 until all of the places are filled at the e-mail address: najave@ljubljanskigrad.si. Each individual can reserve places for up to four people on a guided tour.

We recommend using the funicular railway to visit the events of the 12th Castle Days. During the Castle Days, there will be a single reduced fare for a return ticket for the funicular.