Prem Castle

At the beginning of the 17th century, the castle passed by marriage to the noble Porcia family of Friuli, who held it until 1906, when it was sold at auction. It was bought by the priest Karel Lenassi, and after his death it was inherited by Ana Biščak. During the First World War, the castle was occupied and devastated by Austro-Hungarian soldiers, but it was not destroyed.

In 1927, it was bought by the Trieste doctor Bruno Zuccolin, who restored and converted it into a summer residence. After the Second World War, the castle was nationalised. Extensive restoration work was carried out between 1970 and 2008, as it had fallen into serious disrepair after the war.

About the permanent exhibition at Prem Castle

Painting exhibition by Dušan Premrl

The conference hall displays the artworks of academic painter Dušan Premrl (1937-2008), who was born in Žiri, but lived and worked in Bistrica near Tržič. Part of the collection of the painter's works, donated to the municipality of Ilirska Bistrica by his relatives, has found its place in the castle.

Castle and hillfort heritage

The museum collection at Prem Castle shows the castle heritage and hillforts of the Ilirska Bistrica area.
The Knights' Hall houses the armoury, where Bruno Zuccolin's coat of arms and 16th-century knight's armour are on display.
The large museum room shows the phases of the development of Prem Castle from the 12th century onwards, as well as other castles in the Reka river valley, of which only Prem has survived.
The small museum room presents the hillfort of St. Catherine and other prehistoric hillforts in the Ilirska Bistrica area. Special emphasis is given to an urn grave from one of the largest Karst hillforts above Trnovo, where around 320 graves from the Early Iron Age (8th–5th century BC) have been excavated. The collection is maintained by the Regional Museum of Koper – Ilirska Bistrica unit. The collection is managed by the Regional Museum Koper - Ilirska Bistrica Unit.

From Crumbs of the Past: Flavours of Home

The exhibition “From Crumbs of the Past: Flavours of Home” at Prem Castle presents the diet and everyday life of the inhabitants of the Ilirska Bistrica area in the 19th and early 20th century. In six ambiences, visitors can learn about simple home-cooked meals, kitchen utensils and the importance of the kitchen as a centre of domesticity, where generations came together to work, eat and tell stories. The exhibition highlights the modesty, ingenuity and warmth of domestic life.

Dragotin Kette Memorial Room and SFRY Classroom

In the former Prem primary school, where classes were held from 1826 to 1977, two permanent exhibitions are now on display, dedicated to the history of education and the life of the poet Dragotin Kette.

The exhibition "School Life" takes visitors through the history of primary education in the area of Ilirska Bistrica, from the time of the Habsburg monarchy to the independence of Slovenia, and shows how education has changed over time. Part of the exhibition is a reconstructed classroom from the socialist Yugoslavia period, which brings to life the everyday life of schools in the past.

The second permanent exhibition, "I Will Not Give Up: The Life of Dragotin Kette", is dedicated to the poet and representative of Slovenian modernism, who was born in Prem in 1876. The exhibition presents his life, creativity and perseverance, which, despite his short life, left a lasting mark on Slovenian literature.

The year 2026 has been proclaimed The Year of Kette and Cankar. 19. On 19 January, the 150th anniversary of the poet’s birth, we raised a toast to Kette together – Cankar Visiting Kette.

A learning adventure for young explorers

Prem Castle: opening hours

Operating hours

*January, *February, *March, November, December

During these months, visits are by prior arrangement only.

* Prem Castle will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm until the end of March.

April, May, June, September, October

During this period, the following opening times apply:

• Monday to Friday: open from 9.00 to 14.00
• Tuesday: closed
• Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: open from 10.00 to 18.00

July and August

During the summer months, the facility is open daily from 10:00 to 19:00.

Cultural Day - 8. February

Free admission on this cultural holiday.

Prem Castle: entrance fee

Dragotin Kettel Memorial Room: entrance fee

For groups - Send enquiry and book an appointment

Groups (guided tour of the castle and the Kette exhibition and classroom) only.