The Leslie Family
From the House of Stuart to the Habsburg Empire
Exhibition at the Castle of Ptuj, October 2009 - December 2010
The Counts Leslie owned the castle of Ptuj from 1656 until 1802. The founder of the central European branch of the Leslie family, renowned for their achievements in military, diplomatic and civil services, was Walter Count Leslie, who came from Scotland and established himself a brilliant military and diplomatic career in the Holy Roman Empire. His accession to high ranks was largely due to his implication in the murder of the imperial military chief, Albrecht Wallenstein, while later he distinguished himself as the General on the so-called Croatian-Slavonian military frontier, and as the imperial envoy to the Turkish sultan Mehmed IV.
Walter and his successors re-built the Ptuj castle turning it gradually from a fortified Renaissance stronghold to the noble country residence. Cajetan Count Leslie brought the collection of tapestries from Graz to display it in the Ptuj castle. The collection holds the privilege of being the most outstanding collection of tapestries in Slovenia, and as such has acquired the status of national importance. The counts Leslie are also at the origin of the collection of turqueries – paintings with Turkish motifs, being the most important collection of Baroque paintings in Slovenia. Despite the fact that the counts Leslie had left an exceptional artistic legacy, especially in terms of architecture and fine arts, their deeds and existence are still not sufficiently known to the professional and lay public.
The exhibition at the castle of Ptuj is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00. The castle is closed on 1st November, 25th December and 1st January.