Mateja Avbelj Valentan has served as Director of Ljubljana Castle for more than 15 years, leading one of Slovenia’s most significant cultural and tourist landmarks with a clear vision for preserving its heritage while keeping it alive and relevant. Under her leadership, the castle has grown into a dynamic meeting point of history and modernity, with a strong focus on accessibility, sustainable development, and innovative programming developed in collaboration with artists, institutions, and partners from across the cultural and educational landscape. Among her most meaningful contributions is the planting of the Castle Vineyard in 2016, a project that reinforced Ljubljana’s longstanding title as a city of vine and wine and stands today as a testament to her commitment to rooting the castle’s future in the richness of its past.
Mateja Avbelj Valentan
