The Fala Manor is located on a river terrace before a narrow gorge above the right bank of the Drava River. The gorge represents a geological and climatic boundary – in the past, it also marked a cultural and political border between Carinthia and Styria. The Fala Castle thus held a strategic position for controlling the surrounding landscape. The name of the place Fala is also interesting: Faal – fall, rapid. At this site, where the Drava rapids once roared, today stands the Fala hydroelectric power plant.
Fala Manor (Visualization March 2015)
The first written mention of Fala (Domus Volmars – Valle) dates back to 1245 (source: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, March 2015). A monastery was established in the castle, making this place a cultural center. In 1620, a branch of the University of Vienna was founded at Fala, offering lectures in philosophy, theology, and economics. In 1628, the University of Vienna confirmed the statutes of the Fala University, making it the first institution of higher education on the territory of present-day Slovenia.
During the Josephine reforms, the monastery and university were dissolved, and in 1782 the castle became a state estate. In 1824, the castle was purchased by Martin Liebmann (later elevated to Baron Martin Freiherr von Rast), who gave the estate an important role in the economic development of the region. After World War II, the castle and its estate became social property, but it gradually deteriorated and was divided into communal apartments.
In January 2006, the castle was declared a monument of local importance. In December of the same year, the castle with its estate was purchased by Maximilian M. Slavič, who restored it to a condition in which it once again came to life as a manor. The present-day appearance of the Fala Manor belongs to the Baroque period, as in the 17th century it was transformed from a medieval fortress into a representative residence.
Today, the Fala Manor is an important cultural monument that bears witness to the rich history of the Drava Valley. In addition to its historical significance, it also plays a cultural role – preserving the memory of its university tradition. The Fala Manor serves as a bridge between past and present: from a strategic fortress, through a monastery and university, to today's cultural monument.
| Period / Style | Characteristics | Role of the Castle | Heritage Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medieval Fortress (13th c.) |
|
Border control between Carinthia and Styria | Preserved foundations and historical site |
| Baroque Manor (17th c.) |
|
Cultural center & site of the first university (1628) | The current architectural core |
| 19th - 20th Century | Owned by Liebmann family; communal use post-1945 | Economic center, followed by a period of decay | Protected cultural monument status |
| Modern Restoration (21st c.) | Full restoration by M. Slavič | Cultural monument, exhibitions, and events | A symbol of the Drava Valley identity |
Sources & Literature:
- Charter of 1245 – Domus Volmars – Valle (Source: Ministry of Culture RS).
- University Statutes (1620–1628) (Source: Archive of the University of Vienna). Proof of the first higher education institution in Slovenia.
- Ivan Stopar: Grajske stavbe v severni Sloveniji (1990).
- Decree on Cultural Monuments (Official Gazette, 2006).