Ribnica as feudal land was first mentioned in 11th century first mention in written sources of the Ribnica Castle is two centuries later as Reuienz. Around 1220 the castle was owned by the Auerspergs that got the castle from Žovnek family as dowry who vassals of the Aquileian Patriarchate. Than in years when first mentioned Ortenburg family divided the land among themselves. Than in 15th century Counts of Celje folowed. Many owners changed later on 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 for military base. During Second world war sad story of many castles in this region happen. It was burned down after was used as hospital for partisans in 1944 who had to flee Germans. Castle had an inner courtyard and two residences before that, after burning only the two defence towers and the passage which link them as well as the foundations of the old castle was left. Renovation of what was left started afther the war but lack of funds resulted to ruin again. Mikl House was opened in the castle grounds as Ribnica Museum 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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