Access to the castle for people with disabilities

Because of the nature of the site and how demanding the adaptations are, the area is not yet fully accessible to people with disabilities. Below are the ways of reaching and visiting the castle for different groups of visitors with disabilities.

Access by car

The visitor car park is below the castle hill. From there, the castle can be reached along an asphalt road (marked in yellow on the picture). The road is fairly steep and tiring for people who have difficulty walking. Because of its steep gradient and length (approx. 500 m), wheelchair users can only use it with assistance.

Two disabled parking spaces are available in front of the entrance in the castle walls.

The disabled parking spaces are behind a barrier, so please ring the bell or call +386 (0)51 340 253 or +386 (0)2 748 03 60. Both numbers are also on the sign at the barrier.

If both spaces are taken:

• A few vehicles can park on the gravel area next to the granary building. From there it is still about 50 m up a fairly steep road to the lower castle courtyard, so wheelchair users can only manage it with a companion.
• The driver brings passengers with reduced mobility to the entrance in the castle walls and then takes the vehicle to the main car park below the hill.

Access by public transport

The free city bus, line 2 – Panorama, runs to the car park below the castle. Timetable:
Arriva bus services – Ptuj city transport (in Slovenian)

Special transport

The Municipality of Ptuj also runs “Zapeljivec”, an electric vehicle on call that takes up to three passengers at a time. It is intended mainly for older people, people with reduced mobility or sensory impairments, parents with small children and other visitors. It runs in the old town centre and can also take visitors to the lower or the inner courtyard of Ptuj Castle. The vehicle is not adapted for wheelchair users. It usually runs from mid-May to mid-October, and not in bad weather. Bookings: +386 (0)51 20 40 20.

Access inside the castle

Visitors with reduced mobility

Booking a guided tour

We recommend that wheelchair users book in advance by calling +386 (0)2 748 03 60 or by e-mail to ptujski.grad@pmpo.si. You can book a guided tour that includes help with obstacles inside the castle (portable ramps, opening doors). Please book at least 3 days in advance.

Moving around the castle on your own

At present, wheelchair users can reach the lower castle courtyard and the viewing terrace (the wooden ramp in the picture), as well as the ticket office and the exhibition rooms in the entrance building.

There are some limitations: in places the lower courtyard has deep gravel, which can be difficult for some wheelchair users, and the doors to the ticket office and to the exhibition room in the castle stables are narrow and have a high threshold. Staff will help by opening the second door leaf and putting down a ramp (the door in the picture).

Because of the very rough paving and the steep slope, moving between the lower and the upper courtyard is very difficult and in some cases impossible (depending on whether you use a manual or an electric wheelchair, a walking aid, etc.).

Accessible toilets

There are no toilets adapted for disabled visitors yet. At present, the only toilets are in the main castle building, and they can only be reached by stairs.

Access for visitors with visual impairments

Obstacles inside the buildings are marked in contrasting colours, and contrasting markings guide visitors.

Access for visitors with hearing impairments

The ceremonial hall has a built-in induction loop, which helps people with a cochlear implant or a hearing aid to hear. Set your hearing aid to the “T” position.