Exhibition: Khislstein Castle and Khisl Family Stories

In collaboration with the Gorenjska Museum, the Bled Culture Institute is opening an exhibition titled Khislstein Castle and the Khisl Family Stories.

The exhibition tells the story of Khislstein Castle in Kranj, which was named in 1578 after Janez Khisl, a prominent politician, entrepreneur, and art enthusiast from the second half of the 16th century. He was also a patron of Slovenian Protestants as they attempted to print the first books in Slovene. The Khisl family left its mark on the history of Kranj and further across Slovenia and Central Europe.

Khislstein Castle was already mentioned in the writings of Janez Vajkard Valvasor in the 17th century. However, the history of the castle in Kranj predates Valvasor's accounts, dating back to the 12th century, when a fort on the edge of the terrace above the Sava River was the residence of Carniolan counts. In the mid-13th century, the Counts of Ortenburg, Henry and Frederick, acquired the land rising above the Sava bridge and obtained permission to build a fort.

Khislstein Castle has a rich history and was named after the Khisl family. Janez Khisl from Fužine near Ljubljana purchased the building in the mid-16th century. He transformed it into a castle, which, with the Emperor's permission, was renamed as Khislstein in 1578. Janez Khisl is primarily credited with shaping the castle into its present-day appearance.