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Predjama Castle, Slovenia
Predjama Castle, near Postojna, of Slovenia, owes its name (Predjama” literally, in front of the cave”) to its most recognizable feature to its position. It stand in a cave halfway up a 127 metre cliff and is one of the very few surviving “castle caves” in the Alpine foothills. It is certainly the best preserved and as such offers valuable information about building methods and the whys and wherefores of castle building in the Middle Ages. Because access was difficult, it offered all the security that was necessary-which in those days was the only important thing.
It’s building was not dictated by comfort or luxury. Damp, cold and draughts formed part of everyday life in the castle. The small, unglazed windows let little light into the interiors, but all of this was out balanced by the security offered by the cliff behind the castle and by the cave, which apart from anything else offered a secret exit to freedom. All this is contained in the Legend of the robber Baron Erazem, who resisted a siege here for more than a year and as well as a romantic story of courage, left us an insight into the prudence and foresight of the medieval builders.
The first origins of the castle date back into the past. There is no doubt that some elements are from the 12th century, although it may be that part of the castle is even older. The castle was given its present appearance in 1583 when Count Ivan Kobenzl added the entrance tower and thus enlarged the castle to it’s current dimensions. In recent centuries the castle was mainly used at warmer times of the year. It’s last owners, the Windischgratz family, used it as hunting lodge, as can be seen from the numerous hunting trophies that that still adorn the walls of its rooms today.
A walk though the castle is designed to be a walk through a medieval day. The modest fittings typical of that era should help conjure up the way of life of an age very different from today and evoke a bygone age that is still fascinating.