Opening Ceremony at Pišece Castle
12 September 2026 at 15:00
After almost two decades of efforts, the doors of Pišece Castle are opening to the public again. You are warmly invited to the opening ceremony and the first tours of the castle rooms.
The story of the castle
Knights, noble families and the heritage of Posavje
Tucked away among the wooded slopes of the Orlica Hills above the valley, Pišece Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in the Posavje region, has stood watch for centuries. Its heritage tells stories of knights, noble families, the defence of the land, and a rich cultural legacy that continues to captivate visitors today.
From the second half of the 13th century, Pišece Castle was one of the seigniories owned by the Archdiocese of Salzburg and its first known residents were the Knights of Pišece. This period is associated with the story of the Lady of Pišece, the widow of Conrad I, who, as the estate's lady, played an important role in the castle's early history. At the height of their power in the 14th century, the Pišece family extended their influence beyond Pišece to the vast territories stretching from Carinthia to Vipava and from Postojna to Istria. After the family died out, the castle and its estates were managed by stewards, lien-holders and leaseholders of the Archdiocese of Salzburg.
The castle bore witness to numerous historical events, including the Croatian-Slovene Peasant Revolt of 1573, when it provided shelter to Ilija Gregorič and his peasant army.
The Moscon barons and the Romanesque keep
1595 - 1938
In 1595, the estate was purchased by Innozenz Moscon, and the baronial family remained in residence at the castle until 1938, leaving their mark on the development of the castle and the surrounding area through their management and way of life. The castle was transformed from a Romanesque fortification with a chapel into a multi-storey residence, repeatedly adapted to the Moscon family's needs until the late 19th century.
The castle's architectural character is still defined by the imposing Romanesque keep with its 19th-century clock tower, which forms the highest point of the castle and serves as a reminder of its medieval defensive role.
From decay to reopening
A monument of national significance
After the Second World War, the castle was nationalised and converted into housing, with residents living there until 1998. During the post-war decades, the castle gradually fell into disrepair. At the turn of the 21st century, it was declared a monument of national significance under the ownership of the Republic of Slovenia. An extensive restoration, led by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, also began.
After almost two decades of efforts, Pišece Castle is now one of the symbols of the cultural and natural heritage of the Posavje region and is open to the public. The castle is managed by Posavje Museum Brežice with the support of the Municipality of Brežice and the Ministry of Culture. The museum has cared for the tangible and intangible heritage of Posavje since 1949.
The castle's open doors offer a glimpse into the lives of the Knights of Pišece and the Moscon family, as well as the opportunity to host a variety of events in its various spaces and scenic courtyard.
Every step along the castle paths opens a window into the rich past, where the stories of the castle's inhabitants and visitors intertwine through centuries of turbulent and lively times.
Milestones
Eight centuries of Pišece Castle
- Early 13th centuryThe four-storey Romanesque keep was probably built, as indicated by the mason's marks on its exterior walls.
- 1268The first indirect written reference to Pišece Castle, mentioning the Archdiocese of Salzburg vassals Conrad I of Pišece and Eckhart of Pišece. The Knights of Pišece attained the noble rank of lords by the time of William of Pišece at the latest.
- 1309The Archbishop of Salzburg, Conrad IV, instructed Ortolf, the Sevnica caretaker, to compile a rent roll. Among the 19 individuals named in it, the only woman mentioned is the Lady of Pišece.
- 1349Gundakar III of Turn near Velenje was mentioned as the castellan of Pišece Castle, with the Lords of Pišece no longer appearing in the records.
- 14th - 16th centuriesPišece Castle and seigniory were managed as part of the estates owned by the Archdiocese of Salzburg, which entrusted the estate to various stewards, lien-holders and leaseholders.
- Early 16th centuryThe Moscons, a merchant family from the area around Bergamo in Italy, came to Slovenian lands.
- Mid-16th centuryFranz Moscon married Katharina Franziska Valvasor, sister of Hans Baptist Valvasor, a wealthy supreme provisioning master in the Military Frontier.
- 1581Through the inheritance from Hans Baptist Valvasor, the Moscon family acquired property in the town of Telgate, the Torre Passeri tower, Šrajbarski Turn Castle, rights to the Laško estate, a house with a garden and meadow in Ptuj, and probably the Klevevž estate as well. Together with the inherited financial assets, these properties formed the foundation of the family wealth.
- 1595Innozenz Moscon purchased Pišece Castle and estate, together with the Sevnica and Reštanj estates.
- 1617Innozenz Moscon's branch of the family was elevated to the baronial rank.
- 1753Johann Jakob Moscon established a fideicommissum, securing the estate as an indivisible hereditary family property.
- Third quarter of the 18th centuryThe frescoes in the Chamber of Castles were created, depicting 26 castles and estates belonging to different branches of the Moscon family.
- 1927The death of Julian Alfred Moscon, the Moscon family's last male-line descendant.
- 1938Alfred Buttlar - Moscon (1898–1972), the Moscon family’s last descendant through the female line, was forced to sell Pišece Castle.
- 1945 - 1998Residential units were established in the castle.
- 1999The castle was declared a cultural monument of national significance owned by the Republic of Slovenia.
- 2005Extensive restoration of Pišece Castle began.
- 2026The first part of the castle opened to the public. The castle is managed by Posavje Museum Brežice, with the support of the Municipality of Brežice and under an agreement with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia.
Gallery
The castle today and in historical photographs
Photographs of the castle rooms, courtyard and surroundings, together with images from the museum archive.
The castle park and Slovenia's tallest sequoia
Nature around the castle
The castle grounds offer a special experience of their own. An English landscape garden, with its pond, walking paths and Slovenia's tallest sequoia, creates a unique connection between nature and history.
Plan your visit
Opening hours and information
- Opening hours
- Thursday to Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00
- Visits outside opening hours
- Possible at other times and on other days if booked at least 48 hours in advance.
- Information and booking
- grad.pisece@pmb.si
- Phone
- +386 31 737 708
- Location
- Pišece, 8255 Pišece, Slovenia
- Managed by
- Posavje Museum Brežice, supported by the Municipality of Brežice and the Ministry of Culture
Admission
Pišece Castle and combined tickets
| Ticket type | Pišece Castle | Pišece + museum at Brežice Castle | Pišece + museum + Water Tower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual tickets | |||
| Adults | 5 € | 9 € | 18 € |
| Children (6 - 14 years), pupils, students | 3 € | 5 € | 11 € |
| Pensioners | 4 € | 8 € | 13 € |
| Family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children) | 12 € | 22 € | 40 € |
| Group tickets (more than 10 people) | |||
| Adults | 4 € | 8 € | 12 € |
| Children, pupils, students | 2 € | 4 € | 8 € |
| Pensioners | 3 € | 6 € | 9 € |
| Guided tours for wedding parties | |||
| Up to 20 people | 30 € | - | - |
| 21 to 40 people | 60 € | - | - |
| 41 to 100 people | 80 € | - | - |
| More than 100 people | 100 € | - | - |
| Guided tours | |||
| Guided tour of the castle in Slovenian | 30 € | - | - |
| Guided tour of the castle in English, German or Croatian | 55 € | - | - |
The guided tour fee covers one guide for a group of up to 30 - 40 people; admission tickets are charged separately, and each additional group requires an additional guide. Free admission applies to pre-school children, people with disabilities, unemployed persons, members of the Slovenian Museum Association, ICOM and other professional museum associations, tourist guides, group and disability escorts, and journalists (with proof). The combined ticket includes a guided tour of the Water Tower.
Venue hire
Events, weddings and business meetings
| Space and type of use | Price |
|---|---|
| Ceremonial hall (Hall of Ancestors) | |
| Event or use of up to 6 hours | 300 € |
| Full-day event or use of 6 to 12 hours | 500 € |
| Hourly use for other purposes | 70 € |
| Room next to the Hall of Ancestors | |
| Event or use of up to 6 hours | 200 € |
| Full-day event or use of 6 to 12 hours | 350 € |
| Hourly use for other purposes | 50 € |
| Meeting room | |
| Event or use of up to 6 hours | 150 € |
| Full-day event or use of 6 to 12 hours | 250 € |
| Hourly use for other purposes | 50 € |
| Castle courtyard | |
| Event or use of up to 6 hours | 400 € |
| Full-day event or use of 6 to 12 hours | 700 € |
| Hourly use for other purposes | 100 € |
| Use for catering of up to 2 hours | 200 € |
To book a space and arrange the details of your event, write to grad.pisece@pmb.si or call +386 31 737 708. Prices are indicative until an agreement is concluded.
Acknowledgements
Caring for our shared heritage
For many years, members of the Pišece Castle Society worked to keep the castle in good condition. We extend our sincere thanks for their exceptional work and commitment to our shared heritage. The successful reopening of the castle was also made possible in large part by local residents, united through the Pišece Civil Parish and numerous societies.
The operation of Pišece Castle, managed by Posavje Museum Brežice, is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia and the Municipality of Brežice.
Visit Posavje Museum Brežice
Pišece Castle is managed by Posavje Museum Brežice, which has cared for the tangible and intangible heritage of Posavje since 1949. The museum is housed in Brežice Castle and also manages the Brežice Water Tower.