Ribnica Castle originates from the 10th century and was mentioned in written sources for the first time in the 13th century as Castle Reinz. At this time the castle was owned by the Counts of Žolneški, vassals of the Aquileian Patriarchate, but the castle was to change hands many times during its history. It was subsequently owned by the Counts of Turjak, the Bishops of Ortenburg, the Counts of Celje, the Habsburgs, the Khisel family and the Counts of Kobenzl. Eventually in the early 19th century the property passed to the Rudež family, its last-known owners. It was sold to the Yugoslav Government in 1937.
At this time the castle had an inner courtyard and two residences, but it was burned down during the World War II, leaving only the two defence towers and the passage which link them as well as the foundations of the old castle. Mikl House was opened in the castle grounds in 1961.
A park dedicated to eminent citizens of Ribnica was opened in the castle grounds in 1982. Those honoured include composer Jakobus Gallus Carniolus, linguist Stanislav Škrabec, cartographer Peter Kozler and politician Janez Evangelist Krek.
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