Want to buy a castle in the beautiful Alpine country of Slovenia?

You just might be able to if you are a high-net-worth individual or a company willing to set up a heritage resort in Europe.

Around 26 castles are on offer, in good condition, but with a prohibition clause on changing their structure, says  JAPTI, Slovenia's Public Agency for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments.

Take for instance, the Gradac Castle. Located at a river bend in the south-eastern part of the country, it is going for leasehold or freehold.

Though the investor will have to complete the building work and equip the castle to open doors to the public, it is yours for the taking.

The Gradac Castle is built on the remains of prehistoric settlements, and was first mentioned in documents from 1326.

Though later remodelled, it is remnant of the Turkish invasion and even today sports a tower and a draw bridge. After the World War II, the castle served as a school and later as family accommodation. “The coat-of-arms of the Gusiæ family still overlooks the entrance and there is a mausoleum of the Gusiæ family (1831) in the parkland,” is JAPTI's selling pitch.

The agency estimates the value of the castle's renovation at €4.9 million, and restoration of its gardens and the damaged statues at €12 million.

So, for around €17 million Gradac could serve as a heritage property for tourism, generate jobs and provide the investor an income stream.

Gradac is only one of the many options. Logatec Castle has even more possibilities. Not far from the capital city of Ljubljana, it promises the best of country living. There is the possibility of working or studying in the city or even starting a business in the Municipality of Logatec, which has a population of around 13,500.

The master plan of the 500-year-old castle recommends converting the historic building into 26 luxurious apartments, along with constructing two buildings with 30-odd  apartments.

The facilities and services to include a restaurant and a wellness centre. With planning permission already granted and utility fees paid for, investors could use this freehold property for signature homes or serviced apartments or, perhaps, both.

The mansion, first mentioned as Schloss Logitsch in 1590, and built much earlier by the knights that lived there in the 13th and 14th century, comes at a negotiable price range of €3.4 million for both property and development plan.

There are cheaper options too. The historic Negova Castle situated in the Municipality of Gornja Radgona in the south-eastern part of Slovenia is valued in the range of €2 million, with of course investors pouring in more depending on what they plan to do with it.

Situated close to Radenci, a popular resort and spa, and a stone's throw from the border with Austria, it is envisaged that this medieval property with heritage value could become a public attraction.

The castle is said to have been built toward the end of the 14th or early 15th century, though significant architectural changes were made in the 16th century, probably after 1542.

The castle was remodelled to bring Renaissance influences to its gothic style and is surrounded by large walls towers at four corners. 

It comes with the entire royal accessories – a bridge leading to the central courtyard, terraced gardens and fish-ponds at the foot of the slope leading to the castle.

Apart from castles and real estate assets, this tiny nation set between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea is encouraging investors to its shores in many other fields.

JAPTI's mandate is to attract foreign direct investment and help investors set up shop in Slovenia, including linking them with local companies and local authorities for fast track development of their business.

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