Romantic Mokrice Castle with golf course

Hidden among woods and hills near the Slovenian-Croatian border, Mokrice Castle offers a romantic escape from everyday life.

Today, the medieval castle is transformed into a luxury four-star hotel resort, managed by Terme Čatež.
But, there is something more: in front of the medieval walls, there is an 18-hole golf course in the midst of centennial forests.

It means that you can combine a visit to the castle, play golf, and enjoy the thermal pools and luxury wellness in one day. Perfect weekend, isn’t it?

Mokrice Castle, photo promo

📌 How to get to Mokrice Castle

The castle is situated southeast of the Slovenian town of Brežice, in the settlement of Jesenice na Dolenjskem, and on the slopes of the Gorjanci Hill. It is very close to the Croatian border, and 35 km away from Zagreb. Ljubljana is 117 km away, and Belgrade is 426 km away.

It is easily reached by car. Terme Čatež is located approximately ten kilometres away, and Brežice town, along with the beautiful medieval castle, is about 8 km away.

In front of the Mokrice Castle

📍 A few words about the history of Mokrice Castle

The castle had a turbulent history. It was built on the site of the former Roman fort of Romula in the 5th century, which appeared on the famous 4th-century “Tabula Peutingeriana” map. Many Roman artefacts were found there. One of them is the milestone from the 3rd century, which is still standing at the front of the castle entrance. Once, it marked the distance of 1,000 paces of the Roman road.

By the way, the name Mokrice derives from the Slovenian word “mokrišče” for “wet”, which refers to the marshy terrain that once surrounded the hill, providing a natural defence.

Roman milestone at the front of the Mokrice Castle

Over the centuries, Mokrice Castle was destroyed, rebuilt and expanded many times. Actually, its architecture is a mix of late Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles.

The castle belonged to many noble families. In 1560, the Gregorianec family bought the castle, enlarged it with four wings, an inner courtyard and fortified it with four towers for defensive purposes. By the way, the castle had an important role in the Great Peasant Revolt. According to the stories, the famous Matija Gubec was imprisoned in the castle in 1573, before he died in Zagreb.

After the Gregorians, in the mid-17th century, the castle was ruled by Baron Moscona, who left it to his wife, Barbara, born Drašković. The legend says that she fell in love with a nobleman, who went on a journey, but he never returned. Because of the unhappy love, after years of waiting, she threw herself from one of the towers into the deep. She passed away, but her spirit wandered around the castle for a long time…
After her death, the castle was taken by her nephew, Nicolay Erdődy, and then by the Auresperg family.

The glorious age of the castle 

The Auersperg family was one of the most prominent families of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. They ruled the castle from the beginning of the 18th century until the beginning of the 20th century.

This period is important because the castle became a noble residence and symbol of luxury. During the time of Nikolay Tolentino Auresperg, the beautiful park with a garden, known as the “orangerie”, was designed. Can you believe that in 1854, pineapples, bananas and other exotic fruits and plants were raised in Slovenia, in the Mokrice garden, under the glass walls and windows? In a word, owning an orangery at that time was a matter of prestige and the owner’s wealth to show off guests from Vienna, Budapest or Prague.

The garden around the castle was redesigned in the English landscape style, with green grass, trees, shrubs, a pond with an island, and winding walking and riding paths.

Also, four Baroque stone statues representing the Four Seasons and a grand gate portal stood in the park. Today, the original statues are in the castle courtyard, while their copies are in the park.

Four Baroque statues at the Mokrice Castle

Close to the statues, hidden among the oaks and plane trees, you can see a small Chapel of St. Anna. Originally, it was constructed in the 15th century and rebuilt in the Baroque period during the 18th century. Its facade is simple, coloured in yellow, with a small bell tower and an arched entrance.

Chapel of St. Anna in the park

In 1915, the castle was ruled by the Von Gagern brothers, the Auresperg relatives, who sold the property due to financial distress.

During the Second World War, it was an educational centre for the Nazi Youth. After the war, the castle was nationalised and used for various purposes. But from the 1960s, it was renovated into a hotel and managed by Terme Čatež. In 1988, an 18-hole golf course was added to the castle complex.

🐦‍⬛The legend about the Mokrice Castle

Like most castles, Mokrice is also a place of stories and legends.

One of the best-known local tales is connected with the Mokrice coat of arms. 
During the Turkish incursions into Slovenia, large flocks of crows remained on the banks of the Sava River. They were disturbed by the horses and tried to flee. The Turks fired at them with arrows, and their screaming flight warned the people of danger.

One of the wounded crows, with an arrow in its neck, fell into the castle courtyard and warned the residents of the Turks’ attack. Because she saved the castle, the lord placed the crown in the bastion’s coat of arms, and it remains there even today.

The crow in the Mokrice coat of arms

🏰 Inside the Mokrice Castle

Mokrice Castle

Entrance to the Mokrice Castle and drawbridge

An arcaded courtyard with a well and original Four Season statues is in the middle of the complex.
Once, the nobles stayed and walked there, while today, various events are held in the atrium.

The courtyard of the Mokrice Castle

Inner courtyard with a well at the Mokrice Castle

The Knight Hall is also used for various events and special occasions, such as weddings.

Would you like to eat as king? Oh, yes, it is possible 🤩
One of the events is the Special Castle dinner, under the light of candles, on a wooden table full of delicacies that the castle nobles feasted on in 1593! You got the crown, and eat with your hands, just like in the past.

The castle dinner is for at least 8 people and offers two different menus: the Nobles option (55 EUR per person) and the Royal feast (85 EUR per person).

Mokrice Castle, Knight Hall

Inside the Mokrice Castle

🍽️ Restaurant 1444 and dining at the castle

For many visitors, a highlight of the castle is Restaurant 1444.
It got its name from the earliest known written mention of the castle (in 1444).

Just imagine dinner in the castle’s dining room, overlooking the golf course, within centuries-old walls…

Restaurant 1444 at the Mokrice Castle, photo promo and Nikola Zoko

 

🏩 Accommodation in the castle complex

Once, the Mokrice castle was a defensive fortress. But today, you can stay at a prestigious hotel, which looks like a modern fairytale. There are two types of accommodation inside the complex.

Mokrice Castle complex, photo promo

♦ Forest Hotel Mokrice overlooks the castle park and garden. Guests can choose double rooms or family rooms.
The Conference Hall inside the hotel is ideal for business and social events.

Building with the Forest Hotel Mokrice and Conference Hall

Rooms (photo promo) and Conference Hall, Mokrice Castle

◊ Family Suites Mokrice is situated in the Golf Club house, practically on the golf course, perfect for golf players. The Family Suites can host up to 4 persons.

TIP: Guests staying at the castle estate have special benefits and access to the nearby Terme Čatež Spa Resort, the largest water park in Central Europe.

⛳ Golf at the Mokrice Castle

Golf time at the Mokrice Castle, the 10th hole

✨ Events at the Mokrice Castle

Mokrice Castle is the perfect place for organising various cultural and musical events, private celebrations, business gatherings, and team building.

💖 The Mokrice Castle is one of Slovenia’s most popular wedding destinations.
So, don’t be surprised if you visit it on a weekend and see a fairytale ceremony taking place in the atrium, the park, or even on the golf course! Everything you need is in one place: romantic ambience, beautiful nature, a castle, a small Chapel of St. Anna in the park, a hotel for guests, and of course, delicious food at 1444 Restaurant.

While I was sitting in the park and drinking an excellent sparkling wine of the Istenič winery, I thought about how it could be amazing to get married in this castle, surrounded by my beloved and friends. Or, perhaps, have an interesting party there…
Well, we never know what is waiting for us 😀

Drinking the Istenič wine in the park of the Mokrice Castle

Over the years, Mokrice Castle has also attracted filmmakers and creatives. One of the popular English bands, Pet Shop Boys, used this castle to film the video for their single “Heart” in 1988.

So, before the visit, check the website if the castle is available for a visit. Maybe it is already booked for private events or weddings.

Aerial view of the event at the Mokrice Castle, photo promo

Barbeque in the park of the Castle

During our visit to the castle, the master chef Zdravko Andželevski prepared a fantastic lunch for us.

Lunch time with Chef Zdravko at the park of the Mokrice Castle

It was a fantastic experience: sitting in the shadows of trees, tasting delicious food, cakes, and drinking an excellent Slovenian wine.

Enjoying lunch at the park at the Mokrice Castle

Well, we had a great time in the Mokrice Castle 🤩

Enjoying a day in the castle

🏰Why Visit Mokrice Castle 

Mokrice Castle is a place where the boundaries between the past and the present blur.

Whether you are walking through the shadows of its old trees, playing golf, having a romantic dinner or savouring a glass of local wine behind its stone walls, you are part of a story that has been unfolding for many centuries.

Visitors come there for the feeling of being somewhere where they can slow down, enjoy the greenery and silence at the park, and play golf. Only the sound of birds chirping can be heard there. The nearby Terme Čatež offers thermal pools and luxury wellness, while the town of Brežice brings a piece of culture in the Brežice Castle and its stunning Knight Hall with amazing frescoes.

All that makes the Mokrice Castle an ideal place for an unforgettable experience.

Mokrice Castle by night, photo Nikola Zoko