- Predjama Castle
Predjama Castle (also known as Predjamski Grad) is a
Renaissance castle built within acave mouth in southwesternSlovenia . It is approximately 11 kilometres fromPostojna .History of the castle
Castle was first mentioned in year
1274 , then namedLuegg , whenAquileia npatriarch s built the castle in gothic style. The castle was built under a natural rockyarch high in the stone wall to make access to it difficult. It was laterannex ed and re-shaped by familyLuegg , also called Predjama knights.Erasmus , who was the owner of the castle in 15th century, and a renowned robber, later joined king Matthias Corvinus, for which the currentEmperor orderedGašper Ravbar to assassinate him. After a long siege of the castle, Erasmus was finally killed in 1484 by being tricked. The castle has fallen underOberburg andPurgstall power.In year
1567 archduke Karel leased the castle to baronPhilipp von Cobenzl , who bought off the castle after 20 years. He annexed the castle as early as1570 and built a renaissance building, pressed next to a vertical cliff under the castle. The castle remained in such form until today. CountMichael Coronini von Cronberg inherited the castle in1810 and it was property of familyWindischgrätz from1846 until the end ofWorld War II . After the war it was nationalized and is now used as a museum for showing the life of medieval lords.A secret natural
shaft leads out of the castle, which Erasmus ordered enlarged, and leads intoPostojnska jama . This shaft allowed Erasmus to secretly supply the castle with food in the time of the siege; he also used it to continue with his robberies.Predjama Castle in pop-culture
Predjama Castle was used as the castle featured in the
1986 movie "Armour of God " byGolden Harvest starringJackie Chan .Ghost stories surrounding Predjama Castle were featured in an episode of the Season One of
Ghost Hunters International reality television series.External links
* [http://www.postojnska-jama.si/?cat=7&lang=en Postojna Tourist Office link] (in English)
* [http://www.burger.si/Predjama/ENGPredjama.html Panoramas of Predjama castle] (in English)
* [http://www.castles.nl/eur/sl/pj/pj.html Article about the castle with pictures] (in English)
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