The Lords of Ptuj
The exhibition, staged by the Regional Museum Ptuj, presents the Lords of Ptuj, members of an important medieval family having lived in the castle of Ptuj for more than 300 years (1131-1438). In the first half of the 15th century, the family owned nothing less but 29 estates. The ownership of vast landed properties, military achievements and pre-arranged marriages propelled the Lords of Ptuj into high political spheres from where they influenced the economic growth and realised various intensive building projects.
The Dominican and Minorite monasteries as well as the Commandry in Velika Nedelja were founded by the Lords of Ptuj; they also had the pilgrimage church on Ptujska Gora built; their activities greatly contributed to the general development of the medieval Ptuj. In spite of their political and military positions, for in the region of Styria only the counts of Celje ranked higher, the Lords of Ptuj disappeared almost without leaving any other tangible traces in the historic memory of the Slovene nation.
In order to arouse public awareness of the important role played by this eminent Ptuj family, the Regional Museum Ptuj mounted this exhibition which displays political, military and economic activities carried out by the Lords of Ptuj, their connections with Central European noble families, and their role in the development of the regions in which they were active: Ptuj, Ormož, Borl, Vurberk, Carinthia and Styria in Austria, and Vienna.
Their role as founders of many buildings and patrons of the arts is stressed in particular, for these are the two fields they really excelled in. The exhibition is complemented by a documentary film and many different publications.
The exhibition was financially supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, the City Municipality Ptuj, and Perutnina Ptuj d.d., as General Sponsor. The exhibition is displayed on the second floor at the Ptuj castle.