The Grad castle is the biggest castle complex in Slovenia, which is over 800 years old and is built on a hill of basalt tuff. The castle was built in the present size in the 16th and 17th centuries and was renovated in the 18th and 19the centuries. Over the centuries it has had several owners. Today, the castle is renovated and is the seat of the Goričko Nature Park. The castle houses an information point for visitors, a museum, handicraft workshops, a wine shop and a wedding hall.

In 1751 the castle lords also built a tomb for their family, the Kripta (Crypt), in the hamlet of Kaniža.

In front of the castle there is a large castle park where mighty tulip trees and other exotic trees can be found. In the castle courtyard, five spots emanating a healing energy have been found. These spots are supposed to have a good effect on the body and cure various diseases.

The settlement also hosts an attractive annual Halloween event, which is held on the last Sunday in October and includes dancing, magic shows, witches, knights, games, music, pumpkins and the Goričko cuisine. The witches make sure that the visitors spend a happy and interesting autumn day in the castle park.

The castle is managed by the public institution Nature Park Goričko having the important task of administering the protected natural area and cultural landscape in Goričko. Its employees have their work premises in the castle and are always prepared to explain to the visitors the importance of protecting nature and preserving the cultural heritage. The cultural events in the renovated castle premises are intended for the locals and for the visitors and they bring new life to the castle, the village and the Nature Park Goričko.

The Municipality of Grad

In the middle of green hills you will find the Grad municipality with the biggest castle in Slovenia. In this northeastern part of Slovenia you will find friendly people, a unique cuisine, natural attractions as well as cultural and historical sights. The hilly countryside offers numerous opportunities for excursion tourism, hiking and cycling.

The Grad municipality comprises seven settlements on 37.4 square kilometers: Dolnji Slaveči, Grad, Kovačevci, Kruplivnik, Motovilci, Radovci and Vidonci that have approximately 2,400 residents all together. The settlements extend over ridges and slopes, are condensed along the road or spread over the hilly landscape. The Grad settlement with the seat of the municipality has a condensed cloddy centre, called Pörga. In the past the settlements were closely connected with the castle and Grad had market rights in 1478.

A pilgrimage church stands in the centre of the village of Grad and is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (15 August ). The Gothic presbytery was completed in the 14th century. The high altar that was built in 1778 contains a sculpture of the Madonna and Child from 1510. The nave and the organ loft were renovated according to plans of the important Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik in 1955.

By the Grad – Kruplivnik road the plague memorial Beli križ (White Cross) can be seen. It was erected in the 18th century to commemorate the terrible devastation after the plague in 1740.

In the village of Dolnji Slaveči one can visit the mill Pütarov mlin from 1921, which was powered by a waterwheel and later by electricity. It has been renovated and it is possible to see its rolling mechanism and the oil store.

In the village of Dolnji Slaveči Mikloš Küzmič was born, the first Catholic writer from the Prekmurje region (1737 – 1804). He wrote seven books, the most important being Abecednik (Primer).

The Lednar tannery is in the village of Grad. The house that was built at the beginning of the 20th century has separate living quarters and a craft trade part, where the tannery was located. In the Middle Ages the tannery was used to meet the needs of the castle.

The Olivine route in the village of Grad will take you to a basalt tuff quarry, where the mineral olivine can be found. Along the way you will pass the pond Kačova mlaka where, according to an old tale, the dragon Kač bathed and therefore dragonflies can be found there.

Hiking and cycling routes

Three hiking routes can be found in the municipality: the Graščakova route (15 km, a circular route through the villages of the municipality), the Olivine route (4 km, from the castle to the quarry) and the Pomurje hill path (Rogašovci – Grad – Bodonci).

The Kač cycling route (37 km, a shorter version 17 km) runs along all attractions in the municipality.

You can also visit the beautiful sites and treasures of Grad by taking a panorama ride on a tourist train that takes you through this hilly green land.

After spending a very active day you will enjoy visiting one of the inns, agritourism farms or wineries, where you will have the chance to try the delicious cuisine of Goričko, such as bograč (a goulash), bujta repa (a sour turnip hot pot), homemade ham, dödoli (a kind of potato mush), retaši (strudels), gibanica (a layered cake with pastry covered by four different fillings) and much more.

The Grad municipality as well as the Grad settlement are closely connected with the castle. But it would be a pity to stop only within the magnificent castle walls since the whole landscape with its natural attractions, cultural sights and secrets invites its guests to visit it, to walk over its green hills, get to know it and unveil a part of its rich history.