The Fala Manor

virtual excursion 360°

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.

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 with various tenants moving in and out.

In January 2006, the castle was declared a monument of local importance by official decree (Ordinance on the Declaration of Immovable Cultural Monuments in the Municipality of Ruše, Intermunicipal Official Gazette, no. 2/2006-9, 9/2006-154, 24/2006-382). 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. A visualization shows the state of the castle in March 2015.

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. Baroque features are evident in its symmetry, emphasized grandeur, and richly decorated interiors. With its position along the Drava River, the manor symbolizes the connection between natural conditions and human creativity.

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 – occasional events, exhibitions, and research activities take place there, preserving the memory of its university tradition. The Fala Manor thus serves as a bridge between past and present: from a strategic fortress, through a monastery and university, to today’s cultural monument that enriches the identity of the Drava Valley.