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The Little Castle in Kamnik is a rocky hill rising above the old town center and has for centuries symbolized the town. Its geographical position on a limestone outcrop allowed strategic control over traffic routes through the Tuhinj Valley, which connected Styria, Upper Carniola, and the Littoral. Thanks to its natural elevation, the castle functioned both as a defensive stronghold and a cultic center, a feature typical of many early medieval settlements. The limestone bedrock was solid enough to support the construction of the tower and fortifications and has withstood centuries of erosion and human intervention.

Originally, the castle was called Stein, a name preserved in the inscription on coins minted in Kamnik in the early 13th century (Civitas Stein). This designation reflected both the rocky foundation and the symbolic link between the town and the castle. The first written mention of the Little Castle dates back to 1202, when Duke Berthold of Merania pledged both Kamnik castles – the Little and the Old Castle. This proves that the castle had already been built in the 12th century, most likely under the Counts of Andechs.

In the early 13th century, the Little Castle gained economic importance through its mint, later passing into the hands of the Counts of Ortenburg and then the Gallenberg family. During the late Middle Ages, the castle gradually lost its military function and remained primarily as a symbol of urban identity. By the 17th and 18th centuries, it had fallen into ruin, with only the chapel and tower remnants preserved.

The most important surviving structure of the Little Castle is the Romanesque chapel of St. Margaret (also known as St. Eligijus), considered one of the most significant Romanesque monuments in Slovenia. The chapel is two-storied: the lower chapel, dedicated to St. Margaret, contains a crypt – a rarity in the Slovenian context – while the upper chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. In the 15th century, the upper chapel received a Gothic vault crafted by Kamnik’s stonemasons, decorated with figural keystones depicting saints and the Virgin Mary with the Child. Preserved Romanesque portals, windows, and Gothic details testify to its high artistic value.

Today, the ruins of the tower and parts of the defensive walls are still visible, while the chapel has undergone several restorations. In the 20th century, the roof of the belfry was renovated, and the Gothic vault of the upper chapel was reconstructed, with the original keystones reinstalled. These restorations enabled the chapel to serve as a cultural venue, hosting exhibitions and events. Beside it, a permanent exhibition presents the history of the Little Castle and the legend of Veronika.

Thus, the Little Castle in Kamnik – originally named Stein is a historical symbol of the town, combining geological uniqueness, strategic location, a rich history of ownership, and an architectural gem of Romanesque and Gothic art. Although the fortress itself has decayed, the chapel, with its crypt, Gothic vault, and restored details, remains a living cultural monument that bridges past and present while preserving Kamnik’s identity.