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The Castle

The Castle was built in 1478 by Emperor Friedrich III. It was located at the northeastern part of town, in order to fortify the corner of the town wall. After the Turkish seige of Maribor in 1532, they erected in the place of the corner tower a brick building (bastille) under the supervison of the celebrated fortifications master-builder Domenico dell'Allio (1556-1562). Later, the Castle was inhabitate by a rich noblemen. In 1655 a Laurentine chapel was added at the south side of the Castle. This addition made the facade more dynamic. In 1661 a triangular front was added. The owners, the Counts Khisli, added land to the castle.

In the eighteenth century, the new Castle owners, the Counts Brandis, rebuilt its western side. From 1741-1750 on, they added the grand staircase, which was richly adorned with sculptures. In this way the entire building took on a Rococo ambience. Above the Castle entrance stands the coat of arms of the noble families Brandis and Trauttmannsdorf.

The focal point of the Castle is the Festival Hall (usually named the Knight Hall, although the name is anachronistic), with its lavish interior design. It was furnished from the Quadri family and by Lorenzo Laurigo. At the top of the oval ceiling there is an imposing painting of the mounted battle between the Christian and the Turkish armies.

In the ninetheenth century, the Castle began to lose its original design. Its three steeples were removed. The one that was left is adjacent to the chapel. In 1871 they built a road through the Castle courtyard. The building was renovated just before the World War II and today is owned by the Regional Museum.