Kunšperk Castle, one of the most important medieval fortifications in eastern Slovenia,
was built around the year 1175. In 1167, the original Kunšperk Castle was destroyed as part of
a conflict between its holders and the Bishop of Krka. This destruction did not lead to the
permanent abandonment, as the castle was soon rebuilt, as evidenced by its continued use and
function in the following centuries. The Kunšperk family managed the castle until 1395, when
the lineage died out in the male line. The castle subsequently passed between the Counts of
Celje, the Bishops of Gurk, and other feudal lords. In 1515 it was damaged by peasant rebels,
and in the late 17th century it was abandoned and gradually fell into ruin. Until the end of the
Second World War, it remained in the possession of the Windischgrätz family.
Despite its abandonment, the castle ruins are remarkably well preserved, particularly the
main tower, which survives to nearly its original height. However, some sections of the curtain
walls are already threatened by natural erosion. Despite its historical significance, the castle has
never been the subject of a comprehensive architectural archaeology study, leaving an
important gap in our understanding of its structural development and creating an obstacle to
future conservation interventions.
This master's thesis presents a comprehensive study of Kunšperk Castle from the
perspective of architectural archaeology, placing it within its broader historical, geographical,
and architectural context. Based on a review of historical sources, cartographic and pictorial
material, and previous research, the thesis examines the history of the castle, its spatial setting,
and the development of research on the site. The methodological section provides an overview
of the development of architectural archaeology, methods for documenting standing structures,
and the application of modern recording techniques, including airborne LiDAR data, terrestrial
laser scanning, UAV photogrammetry, dendrochronological analysis, and digital data
processing. The collected data were used to produce ground plans, elevation drawings,
stratigraphic diagrams, and other graphic documentation, which form the basis for the building
analysis, interpretation of construction phases, and analysis of masonry techniques. A separate
chapter is devoted to Cesargrad Castle, whose architectural development and characteristics are
compared with those of Kunšperk Castle in order to identify shared developmental patterns and
differences. The research contributes to a better understanding of the development of medieval
and early modern castle architecture in the Sotla River region and provides an important
professional basis for future research, conservation interventions, and the digital documentation
of cultural heritage.
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