Tivoli Castle ( sl, Grad Tivoli), originally called Podturn Manor (german: Schloss Unterthurn,
[Costa, Ethbin Heinrich. 1848. ''Reiseerinnerungen aus Krain''. Ljubljana: Eger, p. 39.] sl, Grad Pod turnom), is a
mansion
A mansion is a large dwelling house. The word itself derives through Old French from the Latin word ''mansio'' "dwelling", an abstract noun derived from the verb ''manere'' "to dwell". The English word '' manse'' originally defined a property l ...
in
Ljubljana
Ljubljana (also known by other historical names) is the capital and largest city of Slovenia. It is the country's cultural, educational, economic, political and administrative center.
During antiquity, a Roman city called Emona stood in the ar ...
, the capital of
Slovenia
Slovenia ( ; sl, Slovenija ), officially the Republic of Slovenia (Slovene: , abbr.: ''RS''), is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the southeast, an ...
.
Location
The mansion is located in the city's
Tivoli Park
Tivoli City Park ( sl, Mestni park Tivoli) or simply Tivoli Park () is the largest park in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. It is located on the western outskirts of the Center District, stretching to the Šiška District to the north, the Vi ...
(the part in the
Rožnik District
The Rožnik District (; sl, Četrtna skupnost Rožnik), or simply Rožnik, is a district () of the City Municipality of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. It is named after Rožnik Hill.
Geography
The Rožnik District is bounded on the southeas ...
), northwest of (and visible from) the city centre, at the foot of
Rožnik Hill. It is the terminus of the Jakopič Promenade (formerly the Lantieri Promenade), itself the continuation of Cankar Street.
An alpine-style building called the ''
Švicarija'' (german: Schweitzerhaus 'the
Swiss
Swiss may refer to:
* the adjectival form of Switzerland
* Swiss people
Places
* Swiss, Missouri
* Swiss, North Carolina
*Swiss, West Virginia
* Swiss, Wisconsin
Other uses
*Swiss-system tournament, in various games and sports
*Swiss Internation ...
House', formerly the Tivoli Hotel) stands behind the mansion. The
Jesenko Nature Trail leads past it.
History
In the early 15th century, a tower stood in the woods above the site; it was owned by Georg Apfalterer, an ally of
Duke Frederick (later Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III). The tower was destroyed by
Frederick II, Count of Celje
Frederick II ( sl, Friderik II. Celjski; german: Friedrich II Graf von Cilli) (17 January 1379 – 13 or 20 June 1454) was a Count of Celje and Ban of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia.
Early life
Frederick was the son of Hermann II, Count of Celje ...
in 1440, but was the source of the original name of the castle: German ''Schloss Unterthurn'' and Slovene ''Grad Pod turnom'', both literally 'castle below the tower'.
The current structure was built in the 17th century atop the ruins of a previous
Renaissance
The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and covering the 15th and 16th centuries, characterized by an effort to revive and surpass ideas ...
-period castle, the mansion was initially owned by the
Jesuit
, image = Ihs-logo.svg
, image_size = 175px
, caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits
, abbreviation = SJ
, nickname = Jesuits
, formation =
, founders ...
s, but came into the possession of the
Diocese of Ljubljana
The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Ljubljana ( sl, Nadškofija Ljubljana, la, Archidioecesis Labacensis) is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Slovenia.[Austrian emperor
The Emperor of Austria (german: Kaiser von Österreich) was the ruler of the Austrian Empire and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A hereditary imperial title and office proclaimed in 1804 by Holy Roman Emperor Francis II, a member of the Hous ...]
Francis Joseph I
Franz Joseph I or Francis Joseph I (german: Franz Joseph Karl, hu, Ferenc József Károly, 18 August 1830 – 21 November 1916) was Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, and the other states of the Habsburg monarchy from 2 December 1848 until his ...
, who in 1852 presented it as a gift to the veteran Habsburg
marshal
Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used for elevated o ...
Joseph Radetzky
Johann Josef Wenzel Anton Franz Karl, Graf Radetzky von Radetz ( en, John Joseph Wenceslaus Anthony Francis Charles, Count Radetzky of Radetz; cz, Jan Josef Václav Antonín František Karel hrabě Radecký z Radče; sl, Janez Jožef Vencelj ...
. Radetzky renovated the mansion in the
Neoclassical style
Neoclassical architecture is an architectural style produced by the Neoclassicism, Neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century in Italy and France. It became one of the most prominent architectural styles in the Western world. The pr ...
, giving it its present appearance, and spent much of his retirement in it with his wife Francisca von Strassoldo Grafenberg, a local
Carniola
Carniola ( sl, Kranjska; , german: Krain; it, Carniola; hu, Krajna) is a historical region that comprised parts of present-day Slovenia. Although as a whole it does not exist anymore, Slovenes living within the former borders of the region sti ...
n noblewoman.
The
field marshal
Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, ordinarily senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army and as such few persons are appointed to it. It is considered as ...
Joseph Radetzky von Radetz
Johann Josef Wenzel Anton Franz Karl, Graf Radetzky von Radetz ( en, John Joseph Wenceslaus Anthony Francis Charles, Count Radetzky of Radetz; cz, Jan Josef Václav Antonín František Karel hrabě Radecký z Radče; sl, Janez Jožef Vencelj ...
(1766–1858) contributed a lot to the arrangement of
Tivoli Park
Tivoli City Park ( sl, Mestni park Tivoli) or simply Tivoli Park () is the largest park in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. It is located on the western outskirts of the Center District, stretching to the Šiška District to the north, the Vi ...
.
There was a full-size
cast iron
Cast iron is a class of iron–carbon alloys with a carbon content more than 2%. Its usefulness derives from its relatively low melting temperature. The alloy constituents affect its color when fractured: white cast iron has carbide impuriti ...
statue of Radetzky on display in Ljubljana on the steps in front of Tivoli Castle from 1882 till 1918. In 1851, it won a prize at the
Great Exhibition
The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, also known as the Great Exhibition or the Crystal Palace Exhibition (in reference to the temporary The Crystal Palace, structure in which it was held), was an International Exhib ...
in London. Today, it is preserved by the
City Museum of Ljubljana
The City Museum of Ljubljana ( sl, Mestni muzej Ljubljana) was established in 1935. It is housed in Turjak Palace at 15 Gentry Street () in the centre of Ljubljana.
The museum offers various pedagogical activities for children and students between ...
. The statue's pedestal, however, remains at its original place.
In 1863, the mansion was bought by the Municipality of Ljubljana, who used it as (among other things) a poorhouse, later subdividing it into condominiums. In 1967, it was again renovated and became the venue for the
International Centre of Graphic Arts.
Cast iron dogs
![Laibach (13890994628)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Laibach_%2813890994628%29.jpg)
In 1864, the Austrian sculptor
Anton Dominik Fernkorn
Anton Dominik Ritter von Fernkorn (March 17, 1813 in Erfurt – November 16, 1878 in Vienna) was a German-Austrian sculptor.
Career
Fernkorn studied sculpture under the sculptors and Ludwig Michael Schwanthaler in Munich, 1836–40. His fi ...
created four
cast iron
Cast iron is a class of iron–carbon alloys with a carbon content more than 2%. Its usefulness derives from its relatively low melting temperature. The alloy constituents affect its color when fractured: white cast iron has carbide impuriti ...
dogs,
still on display in Tivoli Park in front of Tivoli Castle. The dogs do not have tongues, and it has been falsely rumoured that Fernkorn committed suicide by shooting himself due to this mistake.
References
{{coord, 46, 3, 17, N, 14, 29, 35, E, display=title
Houses completed in the 17th century
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortified r ...
Mansions in Ljubljana
Castles in Ljubljana
Manors in Slovenia