The Strmol Mansion is a 15th-century manorhouse located on a low hill above the old town center of Rogatec

Rogatec

Rogatec is a small town and a municipality in eastern Slovenia, on the border with Croatia. The area traditionally belonged to the region of Styria. It is now included in the Savinjska statistical region....

, Slovenia

Slovenia

Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...

. It is notable as one of the few castles in Slovenia to have retained a Slovene name throughout its history.

The mansion was first mentioned in 1436, as a simple fortified tower in the possession of the counts of Celje

Counts of Celje

The Counts of Cilli or Celje represent the most important medieval aristocratic and ruling house with roots and territory in present-day Slovenia....

, who gave it in fief to Jakob Strmol of Cerklje. The tower became the core of the later manorhouse, and is partially preserved within the later additions, beginning with a second tower and defenses added in the 16th century. At the end of the 16th century, the castle was purchased by the Auersperg

Auersperg

Auersperg may refer to:* Principality of Auersperg, estates held by the princely Austrian family of Auersperg* Palais Auersperg, a large baroque palace in Vienna, build for the princely Auersperg family- Family members :...

 family, from whom it later passed to the Frankopan

Frankopan

The Frankopans are a Croatian noble family. Also called Frankapan, Frangepán in Hungarian, and Frangipani in Italian.The Frankopan family is the leading princely Croatian aristocratic family which dates back to the 12th Century and even earlier to Roman times...

s.

In 1620 it was bought by Jurij Reising von Hartenstein

Hartenstein

- Places :*Hartenstein, Saxony, a town in Saxony, Germany*Hartenstein, Bavaria, a municipality in the district of Nürnberger Land in Bavaria, Germany*several castles in Germany*Hartenstein, Austria, a castle in Austria...

; a chapel dedicated to St. Vincent Ferrer was first mentioned in 1682. The manor had largely lost its defensive role by the late 17th century, when its fortifications were demolished.

In 1730 it was inherited by Marija Izabela Petazzi ("Petač"), who leased it to the von der Durr und Egkh fanily for several decades. In 1804 it was purchased by baron

Baron

Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...

 Wintershofen, from whom it passed to the Windischgrätzen.

The small 16th century two-story annex with inner courtyard served as an Austro-Hungarian

Austria-Hungary

Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...

 district court during the 19th and the early 20th centuries; prison facilities are preserved in the basement. After World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, the castle was converted into apartments.

In 2003, the mansion was thoroughly renovated and declared a cultural monument. It currently serves in both hospitality and museum

Museum

A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...

 capacities:

• third floor: chapel, with restored Baroque
  Baroque
  The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
  
   murals; two large halls, available for banquets, conferences or weddings
• second floor: art gallery
  Art gallery
  An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
  
  , featuring rotating exhibits
• first floor: divided into pub and restaurant
• basement: Vinoteka za prijatelje ("Wine Cellar for Friends") tasting rooms, historic dungeon

The Rogatec Open-Air Museum is located nearby.