Ortnek Castle

Ortnek Castle, also known as the Old Castle, is a historic ruin situated on Big Žrnovec Hill near the village of Hudi Konec, close to the town of Ribnica in Slovenia. Originally established in 1161 by Count Otto II of Ortenburg as a small fortification, the structure evolved over centuries under various noble families, including the Counts of Celje, the Habsburgs, and the house of Lamberg. The castle suffered significant damage from peasant revolts and Ottoman raids, which necessitated a comprehensive reconstruction in the Renaissance style during the late 15th century. A subsequent remodeling occurred in the 17th century under the Counts of Moscon, a period that saw the construction of the notable chapel dedicated to St. George.

The property eventually passed to the Kosler family in 1823, serving as their residence until 1884 when they relocated to the more accessible Lower Ortnek Castle. The final private owner, Oskar Kosler, lost the estate when it was nationalized by the postwar communist government in 1946. Today, the site remains a ruin, though its historical significance is preserved through artifacts saved from the chapel. Several furnishings, including three carved altars, a pulpit dated 1641, and paintings by Hans Georg Geigerfelder, were removed for safekeeping. Notably, the chapel's iconic image of St. George is currently housed in the National Gallery in Ljubljana, offering a tangible link to the castle's artistic and religious heritage despite the decay of the main structure.