PAVAN MICKEY: Ancient Predjama Castle

Predjama Castle is also known as Predjamski Grad in Slovenia, is a Renaissance castle located on the mouth of the cave in south-central Slovenia's historical region of Inner Carniola. It is located in Predjama, about 11 kilometres away from Postojna town and 9 kilometers away from Postojna Cave.

Predjama Castle

Cave Castle Slovenia — The castle was first mentioned with the German name Luegg in 1274 when the Patriarch of Aquileia built it in Gothic style. To make it difficult to access, the castle was built beneath a natural rock arch high within the stone wall. Later, the Luegg noble family acquired it and expanded it and they are also known under the name of the Knights of Adelsberg or the German name of Postojna.

Postojna Castle, The castle was named the seat of the knight Erasmus Lueg (or Luegg Luegger, Erazem Lueger), who was the lord over the castle in the 15th century. He was also a famous robber baron. He was the son of Nikolaj Lueger, the imperial governor in Trieste.

Slovenia Castle

Predjama Castle in Slovenia — Legend has it that Erasmus was in conflict with the Habsburgs after he killed Marshal Pappenheim (commander of the imperial army), who had insulted the honor of Erasmus's friend, Andrej Baumkircher, of Vipava. Erasmus fled the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III's vengeance and reached Predjama, his family fortress. He allied himself to King Matthias Corvinus from there and began attacking Habsburg estates in Carniola.

Castle cave — Erasmus ordered the extension of a vertical natural cave or tunnel that leads from the original castle to the exit at the top 25 meters above the cliff edge. This cave was used by Erasmus to supply food to the castle during the siege and to continue his robberies.

Andrej Ravbar, the governor of Trieste was given the task of capturing or killing Erasmus. After a long siege, Erasmus was finally killed. A popular legend states that Erasmus was betrayed and killed by one of his own men.

The Oberburg family acquired the castle's ruins after the destruction and siege of the original castle. The current castle was constructed in Renaissance style and pressed against a vertical cliff beneath the original Medieval fortification. This form of the castle Slovenia is virtually unchanged to this day and the Cave under Predjama Castle is the home of several bats.

Mountainside Castle

The castle was acquired by Count Michael Coronini von Kronberg in 1810. In 1846, it was sold to the Windischgratz family. They remained their owners until World War II. The Yugoslav Communist authorities confiscated the castle and made it a national museum.