Lendava Castle

Lendava Castle stands above the old part of the town on a steep hill rising amidst picturesque wine-growing hills. The castle in its current form succeeded a medieval castle that once stood on this very site. The original castle was built in the 12th century, as suggested by the frescoes in the castle chapel. Over the years, the castle underwent several transformations, particularly during the rule of the Bánffy family. During that time, the area was ravaged by Turkish invasions, but the Turks never managed to capture Lendava Castle. The castle suffered significant damage during these attacks, so in 1712, the last owners, the noble Esterházy family, restored and rebuilt it in the shape of the letter L as a gesture of gratitude to Emperor Leopold I. The castle underwent its last major renovation in the 19th century when it was thoroughly restored. Today, it houses the Lendava Gallery-Museum, established in 1973. The gallery's collection preserves the artistic heritage of Lendava's artists and a collection of artworks created during traditional international art colonies. In recent years, Lendava Castle has hosted prominent exhibitions of world-renowned art giants, including displays by Pablo Picasso, Francisco de Goya, Rembrandt, and Joan Miró.