Gradac, Slovenia

Gradac is a small settlement located in the Municipality of Metlika within the White Carniola area of southeastern Slovenia. Situated close to the border with Croatia on the banks of the Lahinja River, the village lies at an elevation of 150 meters. While often associated with the concept of a castle due to its name, which derives from the word for fortress or court, the provided text primarily identifies Gradac as a village rather than detailing a specific standing castle structure. The settlement covers an area of approximately 5.97 square kilometers and had a recorded population of 419 residents as of 2002. It falls under the Southeast Slovenia Statistical Region and uses the postal code 8332.

The historical significance of the location is hinted at by its German name, Gradaz, and references in early 20th-century lexicons regarding the kingdoms and lands represented in the Imperial Council. The name itself suggests a past function as a fortified site or administrative center, which is common for settlements in this border region that frequently changed hands between various historical powers. However, the available text does not specify an exact year of construction for any original fortification, nor does it describe a particular architectural style, leaving those specific details of a potential castle unconfirmed in this summary.

Currently, Gradac exists as a rural village within the Slovenian countryside. The provided information does not elaborate on any remaining castle ruins, their current condition, or if the site has been repurposed for modern use such as tourism or residential housing. Without further details in the source text regarding specific architectural remnants or recent historical events, the location is best understood today as a quiet community in the White Carniola landscape, retaining a name that echoes its likely fortified origins while serving as a local population center near the Croatian border.