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Castles of Vipava Valley

Duration

1 day

Number of people

2 – 8

Tour Type

Cycling

Difficulty

Medium / easy

Lenght and Elevation

30- 50 km,  500 – 1.000 m +/-

Price

From 81 €

Overview

 

There was a day when castles and mansions dotted the whole valley. Some of them are still standing today, telling their hidden stories. These days renovated castles are inviting you to write fresh, new narratives.

We invite you to visit this cultural heritage of the Valley on a bike or e-bike in a very interesting looped route.

On the tour we will visit 9 castles and strongholds of Vipava Valley, you will be told about many interesting history legends that are hidden besides these walls.

It is a perfect tour to ride all year round.

When the rest of Alps are covered by snow, Vipava Valley has perfect riding conditions.

We can prepare a tour just for you, with a certified MTB guide or self-guided tours with gpx files included.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Visit 9 castles of Vipava Valley on bike
  • Breathtaking views, historical monuments
  • Medieval stories
  • Safe guiding by certified bike guides
  • Available all year round
Jasna KG

ITINEARY

Welcome in Ajdovščina

Meeting - Instruction

We will meet in a pleasant place in Ajdovščina. After accommodation, a briefing meeting with all instructions for the upcoming day will follow. 

Castra fortress

Time: Roman Empire 1st  century AC

    Main stronghold in Claustra Alpium Iuliarum

Position – in the city center

Castra fortress

We will visit the Roman fortress of  Castra.  Castra played an important role in the late Roman empire. It was an important stronghold in Claustra Alpium Iuliarum, roman defence system.

Zemono Manor house

time: 17st century

        wine cellar and entertainment venue by the Counts of Lanthieri

Position: easy ascend on wine growing hill

Zemono Manor

From Ajdovščina we will move towards green fields of Vipava Valley. The beautiful vista of the Upper Vipava Valley lent its name to the Belvedere Manor House (also called Zemono Manor House) which is perched on a wine-growing hill in the village Zemono near Vipava.

Old Vipava Castle

Time: 12 st century  

      Castel of Vipava Counts

Position: On the slopes of Nanos – 100m above Vipava

Old Vipava Castle

It was around 1100 when the Counts of Bogen built the castle – also referred to as the “Upper Castle” – on an elevation over the village of Vipava, on the slopes of Mt. Nanos.

Lanthieri Manison

time: 17 st century

  administrative, cultural and social centre of the Upper Vipava Valley

Position: in the city center

Lanthieri Manison

The main square in Vipava is dominated by the striking Baroque mansion built by the aristocratic Lanthieri family in 1659. For centuries, the mansion acted as an important administrative, cultural and social centre of the Upper Vipava Valley.

Castle of Lože

time: 12 st century

 residence of nobel family Lutemberg

Position: on a hill 50m  above village Lože

Castle of Lože

The village of Lože is a stone’s throw away from Vipava and surprises visitors with a hilltop castle built in 12th and renovated in 17th century by nobel family Lutemberg.

Goče – Obelunc

Time: 14 st century

         village with more wine cellers than houses

Position: on a sunny-side of Vipava Valley

Goče – Obelunc

Goče was first mentioned already in the 14th century. The houses have thick walls made of stone with small openings for windows. We will ascend the nearby Obelunec with the church of the Mary of the Snow (Marija Snežna).

Tabor – Erzelj

Time: 15 st century

      Baroque style churches 

Position: on the hill top

Tabor - Erzelj

We will visit two medieval churches from 15th-century buildings standing on Tabor Hill. Both were originally designed in the Ghotic style and in the 18th century redesigned in the Baroque style. On the top of the hill stands St. Michael’s Church, whereas at the foot of the hill stands St. Lawrence’s Church.

Branik Castle

Time: 13 st century

     residence of nobel families

Position: on the  northern slopes above Branik

Branik Castle

This is undoubtedly the highlight of our tour. Fortified settlements have been present on the hill above what is now the village of Branik since prehistoric times. In 1999, the castle was declared a cultural monument of national importance.

Vipavski križ monastery

Time: 13 st century

     Spiritual and cultural center of Vipava Valley

Position: on the hill top of Vipavski Križ

Vipavski križ monastery

The scenic hillside town will catch your eye from afar. Perched proudly on a hill near Ajdovščina, Vipavski Križ used to be a very important town and the centre of the valley for centuries, as well as the smallest city in the late Austrian-Hungarian Empire.

Farewell 

FAREWELL drink/meal in Ajdovščina

CONTACT

Where we meet?

Štrancarjeva ulica 8

5270 Ajdovščina

Slovenia

PRICE / PERSON

Guided

Price per person (2): 110 €

Price per person (4): 90 €

Price per person (8): 70 €

INCLUDED:

  • Licensed guide
  • Best historical stories of Vipava Valley
  • Luggage transport
  • 24 support

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Insurance
    Meals

Self - Guided

  • Price per pax (8): 30 €

     

    INCLUDED:

    • Booklet – detailed itinerary
      GPX track

    NOT INCLUDED:

    • Tour guide
      Accommodation
      Meals
      Insurance

Tailor Made

  • Depending on your wishes, we prepare a custom made tour (elavation, distance, things to do, things to see)

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