Strmol Castle, one of the oldest and best-preserved castles in Slovenia, was first mentioned in 1287, when the Strmol Knights purchased five farms in Repnje. Their origins are not entirely clear – they may have come from Carniola, Styria, Carinthia, or German lands. They belonged to the nobility but did not play a leading role among the most powerful families, though they were an essential part of social life from Velesovo to Kamnik.
The Strmol family managed their estates peacefully and maintained connections with many noble families in the region. Male members often pursued clerical vocations, while two women from the family became nuns. In 1446, they obtained the status of Carniolan provincial estates, but the Gorenjska branch became extinct in 1458.
Among the notable members was Majnhard, who in 1359 served as parish priest in Šenčur and in 1360 in Cerklje, later becoming an archdeacon in Carniola. His relative Viljem succeeded him, while the highest church position was attained by Jakob Strmolski, who served as canon and legal representative of the Counts of Ortenburg.
From the 15th century, the castle was also connected with the Rain family from Begunje, initially vassals of the Counts of Ortenburg, later of the Counts of Celje. In the mid-15th century, they allied with the Strmol family, and in 1436 Friderik Rain is mentioned as the brother-in-law of Jakob Strmolski. The Rain family was entrepreneurial, active in both church and civil administration, and known as humanists, military leaders, and politicians.
13th–15. century: Strmol Knights
15th century–1634: Rain family
1634–1643: Schwab-Lichtenbergi
1643–1702: Barons Ruessensteini
1709–1768: Noble Wollwitzi
1768–1769: Zois family
1768–1843: Dietrichi family
1843–1899: Urbančič family
1899–1910: Jožef Jenko
1910–1936: Klemen Fuchs
1936–1944: Rado Hribar
The convent was founded in December 1238 by the Kamnik brothers, and the first nuns arrived from Ziegelhof near Vienna. It was considered the wealthiest women’s convent in Carniola, admitting mostly girls of noble origin. The convent’s estates stretched from the Kamnik Alps to Ljubljana in the south and Trojane in the east.
The convent incorporated three parish districts – St. Margaret in Trata near Velesovo, St. George in Šenčur, and St. Mary in Cerklje.
From 1533, the nuns owned Castle Kamen (Frauenstein) above the convent, which had been destroyed during Turkish raids in 1471. The present Church of the Annunciation in Adergas was built between 1766 and 1771, and its altars are adorned with works by Baroque painter Johann Martin Schmidt.
The convent was dissolved on January 12, 1782, causing significant spiritual and economic loss.
The nuns had been engaged in educating girls, running a pharmacy, and helping the poor.
After the dissolution, some treasures were taken away, while others have been preserved to this day.
Municipality of Cerklje na Gorenjskem
Trg Davorina Jenka 13
4207 Cerklje na Gorenjskem
Phone: +386 4 281 58 00
Fax: +386 4 281 58 20
E-mail: obcinacerklje@siol.net
The exhibition can be visited by prior arrangement during the official opening hours of the Municipality of Cerklje na Gorenjskem.
Monday: 8:00–11:00 and 12:00–14:00
Wednesday: 8:00–11:00 and 12:00–16:00
Friday: 8:00–11:00
