Predjama Castle one of the most picturesque castles in Slovenia, is built into overhanging rock in front of karst cave hall that is connected with cave system underneath the castle. It is situated just a a few kilometres from the entrance to Postojna Cave. Castle is now a museum on five floors that shows life of knights in 15th and 16th century, with arms, dungeons, halls, living quaters and other castle facilities. Interesting is dialogue between man built architecture and natural structures that combine into fortification system of the castle.
History
The castle was probably built in 12th century, but was first mentioned in the year 1274 with the German name Luegg. Owners of the castle were Patriarchs of Aquileia that named it in rough translation from Latin Cave Castle in the Karst. It was built in Gothic style on natural protected site with difficult approach just from one side. Vassals under Aquilean authority were Luegg (Jamski) noble family that expanded and fortified the castle. The castle was notorious – as the hide-out of brigands – even before the time of Erazem Jamski (Lueger) local Robin Hood from the end of 15th century. He was the descendant of Imperial Governor of Trieste, Nikolaj Lueger who was vassal of the counts of Görz. According to legend, Erazem came into conflict with the Habsburgs, when he killed the commander of the Imperial army Marshall Pappencheim, who had offended the honour of Erazem's deceased friend, Andrej Baumkircher of Vipava. Taking sides with Mathias Corvinus he fortified himself into Predjama Castle, attacked town of Trieste twice and defied imperial army for quite a long time. While under siege associates and him were supplied through the caves and were almost impossible to conquer. As it often happens in warfare he was betrayed and allegedly shot with a canon in his room. Castle was siezed by Habsburgs. Earthquake 1511 damaged castle badly so new building had to be built.
Then in 1567 Austrian Archduke Karel invested Ivan Kobencl from Prosek with the 'Jama' manor. At that time the castle was in a very poor condition, so the new lord renovated it in Renaissance style. The last Kobencl bequeathed Predjama Castle to his relative, Count Mihael Coronini from Kromberk, whose wife sold the fortress to Prince Weriand Windischgrätz in 1846. Thereafter it remained in hands of the Windischgrätz family until 1945, when it was nationalised.
First Predjama Castle has been managed by the Notranjska Museum in Postojna. Since the late 1990s the castle has been under renovation with the aim of restoring it to how it would have looked in the time of Ivan Kobenci, a period when castles were steadily losing their defensive function. Since 2007 the Castle is managed by the Turizem KRAS company located in Postojna, while some objects situated at the Castle are owned by the Notranjska Museum, Postojna.
A centuries-old linden stands in front of the castle and legend has it that Erasmus of Predjama is buried underneath it. The small Gothic church in front of the castle was recently renovated; its main attractions are frescoes from the 15th century and a Baroque altar.
See also
External Links
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