Holiday apartment in Grad: Castle culture and volcanic history

Grad Castle is considered the largest castle and feudal complex in Slovenia. The complex stands on the remains of an extinct volcano on the hill above the village of Grad. The renovated rooms of Grad Castle house exhibitions showcasing the natural wealth and cultural landscape of Goričko Nature Park, as well as the historical and ethnological heritage of Goričko.

Culture and history

The Church of the Assumption of Mary in Grad is a pilgrimage church whose origins date back to the 11th century. Its nave was significantly shaped by the restoration work of Jože Plečnik in the 1950s. The church can be visited by prior arrangement at the Grad parish house. The priest or guide explains the history of the church and Jože Plečnik’s work.

In the hamlet of Kaniža, about 2 km from the castle, lies the Crypt, the burial vault of the lords of the castle. It has a dome, and its four façades are decorated with triangular pediments. The Crypt was probably built as part of the castle’s renovation in 1751.

The most important parish festival is celebrated on 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption; a fair takes place along the Pörgo. The Geological Museum is located in the Lednar Tannery. Its sections include an Olivine Hall, a Geology Hall, Oli’s Kitchen, an exhibition and a journey through Goričko.

Nature

Vulkanija Adventure Park explains volcanoes and the geological history of Goričko through images, texts, films, playful elements and interactive content. The park includes a lift ride to the centre of the Goričko volcano and a return to the surface on Oli’s underground railway. Vulkanija is located in the centre of a 1 km-wide crater belonging to Slovenia’s last active volcano; the volcano featured in the park was active in the area of present-day Slovenia three million years ago.

The Olivine Path connects the upper part of the village and the castle area with the lower village centre of Pörgo and an abandoned quarry of volcanic rock containing a site where olivine nodules are found. Blue directional arrows guide hikers from one point to the next and indicate the natural or cultural attractions described. Olivine nodules occur in the volcanic rocks of Grad and are considered remnants of an earlier volcano.

For a holiday apartment in Grad, you can compare the options listed on the offer pages. The specific details provided for each accommodation are decisive. Take your time to review the offers and compare this information before making a choice. This will help you keep track of the differences between the individual offers and base your decision on the terms actually stated.

Other places: Rogašovci, Melinci, Moravske-Toplice, Beltinci, Puconci, Martjanci, Hodoš, Murska Sobota.

To the higher-level travel overview: Murska Sobota.