The castle was first documented in 1202 as a possession of the Bishops of Freising.
A major earthquake in 1511 destroyed the original medieval fortress, necessitating the current Renaissance-style rebuild.
The museum holds a collection of over 200 items related to the Škofja Loka Passion Play, the oldest preserved dramatic text in Slovenia.
The building was used as a prison in the mid-20th century, specifically by the Yugoslav authorities.
The castle courtyard contains a stone altar depicting the city's coat of arms, which features a Moor's head.
The museum houses a rare collection of glass paintings and traditional wooden beehive front panels.
An internal gallery displays a collection of paintings by the Impressionist artist Ivan Grohar.
Škofja Loka Castle, also known as Loka Castle, serves as the primary regional museum for the Škofja Loka area, housed within a fortified structure originally built by the Bishops of Freising in the 13th century. The current building dates largely to the 16th century following a major 1511 earthquake reconstruction. The permanent exhibition covers local history, guild craft, folk art, and the cultural heritage of the Sora Valley. It maintains an extensive collection of stone monuments, ecclesiastical art, and natural history specimens. The site also features a renovated castle garden and an open-air collection of architectural elements from demolished buildings in the town. It remains one of the best-preserved medieval fortification complexes in Slovenia. The location provides an elevated view of the historic Old Town core below.
The courtyard gallery overlooking the red-tiled rooftops of the Škofja Loka town center.
Walk the uphill path from the historic town center to see the original castle entrance and moat remnants.
Check the museum's temporary exhibition space, which often focuses on local contemporary artists and specialized historical archives.
Use the castle's terraced grounds for a vantage point overlooking the confluence of the Poljanska and Selška Sora rivers.
Do not attempt to drive a large vehicle up the narrow, historic streets leading to the castle as parking is extremely limited.
Closed on Mondays.
