- Mali grad
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Mali Grad Chapel
Mali grad defense towerMali grad ('Little Castle') in Kamnik, Slovenia, once formed part of a castle constructed in the 11th or early 12th century at the strategic site above the narrow passage at the important trail. The Romanesque chapel of St Eligius is one of the most important Slovene medieval monuments despite later alterations; one of the oldest of the kind even in Europe the chapel features a wooden ceiling and exquisite fresco paintings. At the foothills of the castle the Medieval Days, Kamnik take place yearly in June. [1]
Contents
History
The archaeological finds show us a cult centre in pre antique times. The castle is first mention in 1202, but was of older origin.
At the end of the 13th century the castle was caught in a fire, the northeast part was demolished and never rebuild. The castle was torn down in the 16th century after the earthquake in 1511, leaving only a two-storey Romanesque chapel (Dvojna kapela) constructed between the 11th and 15th centuries.
The castle is in ruins today; beside the chapel one can see the remnants of defensive walls, and the recently restored and newly covered defensive tower.
Chapel
The first chapel of St Margaret with a crypt, the presbytery of today's lower chapel, was erected around 1100. When the nave was added, the Romanesque portal with the lunette was displaced. In the 13th century the chapels’ second floor was built, dedicated to Bartholomew the Apostle, with Gothic vault build after 1470. The lower chapel was than dedicated to St Eligius, decorated again after 1771 with the frescos by Janez Potočnik. The whole Chapel was rebuilt in Baroque style around 1700. Inside there are also remnants of Gothic and Baroque frescos.
Legend
In Mali grad once lived Countess Veronika, who was stingy. One day she got a visit from three priests who asked her for money for the renovation of the church. Veronika answered, she preferred to convert to a snake rather than to give them money. The words were not spoken to an end the lightning strikes her and she became half snake and half human. She can be saved by seven-year boy, whipping her three times at her back. In return he will be given her treasure.
References
- ^ http://www.culture.si/en/Mali_grad Culture.si: Mali grad
External links
Coordinates: 46°13′28.25″N 14°36′42.5″E / 46.2245139°N 14.611806°E
Categories:- Castles in Slovenia
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