Ljubljana Castle, the most popular landmark of Slovenia's capital, attracted just over a million visitors last year, more than double it did in 2021, which already saw a considerable improvement on 2020, the year worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The visitor counter last year stopped at 1,004,349 visitors, which compares to 460,355 visitors in 2021, Ljubljanski Grad, the public organisation that operates the castle, announced on 18 January.

The funicular, which was again in operation every day of the year, transported 428,892 passengers to the castle overlooking the capital. This is more than double the figure in 2021, when its operation was limited due to Covid restrictions.

The share of foreign visitors increased to above 70%, with the largest numbers coming from Italy, Germany, the US, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Croatia, Spain, Hungary and Austria.

Ljubljanski Grad director Mateja Avbelj Valentan noted that Ljubljana Castle last year hosted 327 events, 397 wedding ceremonies and 839 guided tours.

2022 highlights include a new product called Culinary Time Machine, the fifth birthday of the Ljubljana castle Jazz Club, the fifth harvest in the castle vineyard and the Family-friendly Company Certificate.