Mali Grad and Romanesque Chapel, Kamnik

Mali Grad, the Little Castle, stands on a hill above the old town of Kamnik in the Central Slovenia region, close to the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. The castle was built in the 11th and 12th centuries and served as a seat of the medieval lords of Kamnik. Kamnik received town rights in the early 13th century, and the castle, together with the larger Stari Grad (Old Castle) on the nearby hill, formed part of the town's defences. After the Middle Ages Mali Grad lost its residential role and was gradually abandoned, and it fell into ruin. What survives today are fragments of walls, a gate and, most importantly, a Romanesque double chapel dedicated to the Annunciation and St Eligius, a rare Romanesque ecclesiastical building in Slovenia. The chapel, consisting of an upper and lower level, was restored in the 20th century and now holds a small exhibition on the castle's history and the medieval lords of Kamnik, with the chapel's interior open to visitors during the summer season. The site is administered by the Kamnik Museum and the ground-level ruins are free of charge. The hilltop offers views over the roofs of the old town and towards the Alpine peaks. The character of the site is archaeological and atmospheric: low walls, grass-covered foundations and the sturdy stone chapel. A walk from Glavni trg to the castle takes about ten minutes along a marked path. The nearby old town and the Franciscan monastery give the visit historical context, and the hill is a favourite local walk. Information boards at the site outline the castle's phases and the chapel's architectural features, and the combination of ruins, chapel and Alpine backdrop makes it a rewarding stop for visitors with an interest in medieval Slovenia. The chapel's two storeys and thick stone walls show how religious and defensive architecture were combined in a medieval castle, and the quiet grounds make the site a restful contrast to the busier town square below.