DEKD 2026: Guided Tour – The Park at Grm Castle: Past, Present and Future
The Novo mesto Tourist Information Centre (TIC Novo mesto) and the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Novo mesto Regional Unit, are organising a guided tour entitled The Park at Grm Castle: Past, Present and Future as part of the European Heritage Days 2026 programme. The tour will take place on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, at 4 pm at Grm Castle.
The central theme of this year’s European Heritage Days (DEKD), Heritage in the Whirlwind of Change – Opportunities and Challenges, aims to highlight the vulnerability of all types of cultural heritage, including tangible, movable and intangible heritage, as well as the related natural heritage (natural assets). More about DEKD 2026 is available via the link.
About the guided tour:
Mitja Simič, BSc in Landscape Architecture and Conservation Advisor at the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Novo mesto Regional Unit, will present the history and development of the area surrounding Grm Castle, home to the only preserved castle park in the Novo mesto area.
The earliest traces of garden design at Grm Castle date back to the Baroque period (late 17th century), while more ambitious garden and park layouts emerged in the 19th century. To the west of the castle, a formal rectangular garden was arranged on a levelled terrace, following Renaissance-Baroque design principles. On the northern side, landscaped park areas of a more relaxed style were created on either side of the castle entrance. A chestnut avenue dating from the late 19th century also survives, leading from the castle towards the former main entrance road to the town (today’s Trdinova Street). Over time, residential development, changes in the use of the castle, and above all the expansion of industry significantly altered the appearance of this area.
Participants will learn about the development and significance of the park in the past and present, its preserved elements, and questions concerning its future management. The tour will also present possibilities for revitalising the area, the challenges of protecting cultural heritage, and the role of the park as a space for quality living, recreation and sustainable development. Special attention will be given to current initiatives for the restoration of the park areas surrounding Grm Castle and to balancing different interests in the planning of such interventions.
Places are limited. Registrations are accepted by TIC Novo mesto via email at tic@novomesto.si or by phone at +386 41 202 080.
You are warmly invited to join us!
