Articles by Dr. Jožko Šavli:
Tabor Hrastovle
A Pearl among the People's Fortifications
because of its Painted Church
Tabor Hrastovle and the arms of the family Neuhaus
Dr. Jožko Šavli
There are all kinds of architectural styles in the defence tradition of Slovenians. For example, in Carantania, an antique refugium, which originated in the Roman era, was called a gradec (castel), pronounce "gradets". Graz, the capital of Styria, formerly spelled as Gratz (abbreviation of Grad'c), is probably the most well known name referring to this object. In the Middle Ages, the general defence construction was a grad (castle). But there were others, too, like šanca (earth-work) and so on.
Apart from those, there were also shelters built for the inhabitants, which were called a tabor. It served as a refugium for the people in case of attacks. Under normal conditions it was kept empty. This building differed somewhat from the simple refugium, the German term is Fliehburg (bezigrad, in Slovenian). At least, the expression is certainly of Afro-European (pre-Indo-European) origin, and it appears in names throughout the Mediterranean area. For example Taormina in Sicily, the ancient Tauromenium, is surmounted by a beautiful "tabor". Further on, this expression with the same meaning is also found in Bohemia. In the 15th century, the members of the military movement, inspired by the ideas of Jan Hus, were called the "taboriti". We encounter the name Tabor in several towns of Middle Europe, like in Prague, Vienna, Trieste, Ljubljana...
These and other examples demonstrate that the word "tabor" must be of very ancient origin also among the Slovenians, albeit these fortifications were built especially during the period of Turkish invasions, i.e., in the 15th century. In that time developed also the characteristic notion of the Slovenian tabor: a church encircled by walls and a supply of victuals and water. In case of an attack, the people took refuge in such a fortification. Men and boys fought the enemy from the walls, while women and children prayed in church.
The inside of the tabor church of St. Trinity
Hrastovle has to be considered the best preserved from all Slovenian tabors, which was erected at the far end of the Rizana Valley, in the hinterland of Koper (Capodistria), in Istria. I am using the form Hrastovle instead of the official Hrastovlje (containing the non-Slovenian sound -lj-). Its church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, originates from the 12th century, and probably was already fortified with a wall. Nevertheless, the present-day high walls, with which it is surrounded, have their origin at the beginning of the 16th century. Then, the entrance was secured by a drawbridge. The two towers at the two corners of the quadratic walls are still preserved, but they have no roofs.
The Dance of death, here depicted in two sets (originally in one). - It is a reflection of the thinking of that time: the waves of epidemics, which continuously swept over Europe, moving wide swathes with the scythe of death, gave people a strong feeling of the transiency of all life, of the inevitability of death. Death comes in the end to every one of us, to some in the cradle, to others later, man and woman, no royal family or individual is exempt. We all dance through life in the invisible, but inexorable grasp of the bony final lord over live - all of us towards the ever-grasping grave.
Throughout Europe the idea was disseminated, in death we are all equal. True life is in heaven, as also this old German song signifies:
Es ist ein Schnitter, der heißt Tod
Text from Des Knaben Wunderhorn , "Katholisches Kirchenlied"
Set by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
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Es ist ein Schnitter, der heißt Tod, |
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Hat Gewalt vom höchsten Gott, |
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Heut wetzt er das Messer, |
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Es schneid't schon viel besser, |
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Bald wird er drein schneiden, |
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Wir müssen nur leiden. |
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Hüte dich schöns Blümelein! |
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Trotz! Tod, komm her, ich fürcht dich nicht, |
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Trotz, eil daher in einem Schritt. |
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Werd ich nur verletzet, |
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So werd ich versetzet |
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In den himmlischen Garten, |
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Auf den alle wir warten. |
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Freu' dich, schönes Blümelein. |
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The small church is roofed with stone slabs, as it is common in the Mediterranean area. The whole structure is an example of Romanesque architecture in Istrian style. Of interest and value is also its interior. It is completely painted with frescos carried out by the master Janez of Kastav, around 1490. The paintings show a variety of scenes. From the frescos, the Dance of Death is of particular interest.
Yet, in the 16th century, Tabor Hrastovle, which was built as a people's fortification, became the property of the family Neuhaus (Carstberg). Thus, from the judicial point of view it lost the character of a people's fortification, because it became a castle with privileges and income. In 1581, it was sold to Alessandro Zarotti, a physician from Koper. The frescos in the church were later painted over and they were discovered after the WW2.
Graben Manor
Graben manor in the proximity of Novo mesto
and the arms of the Grabens (shovel)
and of the Mordax' (crossed axes)
Dr. Jožko Šavli
Graben manor is situated on the right bank of the Krka River, not far from the city of Novo mesto. The manor pertained to the Knights of Graben, whose first members, Conrad and Grimold Graben (according to Valvasor), were mentioned in the records already in 1170. In 1330, the manor belonged to Ulric Graben, who was married to Barbara of Turjak (Auersperg). - The Grabens were courageous knights, who particularly distinguished themselves in the battles against the Turks. In 1477, Ruth Graben was captured by the Turks during one of the fights. His cousin Ulric, captain of Graz, rescued him by paying a large ransom. Ruth's brothers Wolf and Cosma were very courageous too. - But in 1510, their manor was already in the possession of Georg Mordax, who pertained to the Carniolan line of the well-known Carinthian family. The Mordaxs held the manor until the early 18th century. Then, it was owned by several other families: the Gallenbergs, later the Zois and finally the Jalens. After WW2, it was seized by the new Communist regime like many other manors and castles.
Socerb Castle
with a beautiful panorama overlooking the Gulf of Trieste
View from Socerb Castle on the Gulf of Trieste. The drawing was found in Valvasor's "Topographia Ducatus Carnioliae Modernae (1679).
Dr. Jožko Šavli
The castle, which was erected on a rocky cliff high above the valley of Reka (Rosandra), offers a beautiful view on the city and on the gulf of Trieste. In Italian documents it is called San Servolo, named after Sanctus Servolus, who was a Roman Christian martyr. In sense of an ancient legend, he found sanctuary in the neighbouring Karst cavern, where he survived for two years, before they discovered him.
A fortified post, probably in form of a tower, must have existed here already in the early Middle ages. In 948, King Otto I donated the post to the Bishop of Trieste. Thereafter, memorandums concerning Socerb ceased for a long time.
Since the 13th century, when nearby Istria on the western side came under the Republic of Venice, the Venetian frontier leading to the Trieste territory passed very close alongside the castle, and notes appeared again in the records. In 1295, the castle still pertained to the city of Trieste. In 1368, it was taken by the Venetians, but soon after Triestians reconquered their city, even though only for a brief time. However, the Venetians took possession of it anew and their captain had it fortified. But in 1382 Trieste joined Inner Austria, gained new forces, and the Venetians had to give up the castle.
In 1463, they occupied it anew and held it for several years. In 1480, the Venetian captain Giovanni Ducaino administered the castle. The village Dekani, in the proximity of Koper, was named after him. It is not known, whether Venetians were still holding it after the end of the 15th century.
In 1508, the first Venetian war broke out, i.e., the war between the Habsburgs and the Republic of Venice, which lasted eight years. Since the beginning of the war, Socerb was occupied by Nicolas Rauber (Ravbar), the well-known captain of Trieste. After the war, in 1521, Rauber received the castle in fief.
Since 1622, a new castellan, Benvenuto Petaz (Petazzi, Petac), a patrician of Trieste, took residence at Socerb. In the same year Emperor Ferdinand II bestowed upon him the title baron. In 1630, he received the castle in fief, and in 1632, he advanced to the rank of Count of "Castelnuovo e S. Servolo" (Novigrad and Socerb). Castle Novigrad was built close to Podgrad, not far from the main road Trieste - Fiume (Reka). The word "petaz", "petac" in Slovenian (pronounce: petatch), refers to a coin, a fiver. Meaning, the coin represents the value of five ("pet" in Slovenian). Indeed, the arms of the family depict: Gules, seven silver coins (2, 2, 2, 1).
Socerb castle
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To the right: view on the castle rock where the castle is standing. Followed by the arms of Petaz. |
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Top right: the arms of the Petaz family, Gules, seven silver coins (2, 2, 2, 1)
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Below: the arms of the Petaz after receiving the Baron title
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Bottom: the arms of the Montecuccoli family. |
Nevertheless, in 1702 castle Socerb was sold to the family Turinetti de Priè, the seigniors of Pisino in Istria. In 1768, its new owners were the Montecuccoli, descendants of the well-known Austrian generalissimo, who in 1664 defeated the Turks near St. Gotthard. Regretfully, in 1780 the castle was hit by lightening and burnt down. After the First World War it came into possession of Demetrius Economo, a baron from Trieste, who gradually rebuilt the castle. It received its present-day image in 1925.
After WW2, when this territory passed under Yugoslavia, it became a State property. It is of a certain historical and cultural importance that the Socerb land register (urbar), in the period between 1583 and 1680, was written in the Glagolitic script.
Castle Podcetrtek
In Slovenian, this name means "Under-Thursday"
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Castle Podcetrtek and the arms of the one-time administrators: |
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above: the Schrott family, |
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below: the Kindberg family, inherited by the Schrotts. |
Dr. Jožko Šavli
The name of this castle is very unusual, and translated into plain English it means "Under-Thursday". It can be explained on hand of the very simple fact that in the Middle Ages market was held every Thursday in the borough below the castle. However, at first the borough appeared in the records under the German name - Windisch Landsberg. The word "Windisch" literally means Slovenian, and the meaning of the word "Landsberg" is somewhat difficult to explain. Probably, in medieval German it even meant a "borough".
This castle was built in a territory that originally pertained to the William family, the margraves of the Savinja March. After the last family member died, St. Emma, the famous widow, inherited this vast area. After her death, the territory became property of the See of Krka (Gurk) in Carinthia, which was founded on St. Emma's estates. In 1209, the records mention a certain castellan Otto, the son of knight Enskalk. Thus, the castle must have been built in the 2nd half of the 12th century.
Anyway, it was an important fort among the castles which were built alongside the Sotla River, the border between Carantania and the Holy Roman Empire on one side, and the Hungarian Kingdom on the other. Between 1479 and 1490 the castle was occupied by Hungarians. Thereafter, it was administered by the castellans, who served the bishops of Krka.
In the great peasant rebellion of 1515, the castle was plundered, and some of the servants lost their lifes. The castle administrator Schrott, who was absent during the rebellion, stated in his letter to Mattew Lang, the Bishop of Krka (1505 - 1522), that the rebels even martyred his young son to death. However, Mattew Lang, who was also the imperial chancellor, Cardinal, and since 1519 Archbishop of Salzburg († 1540), not even once came to visit his diocese in Krka.
In the following century, Castle Podcetrtek came into the possession of the well-known family Tattenbach. Nevertheless, a member of this family, Hans Erasmus Tattenbach, was involved in a conspiracy against Emperor Leopold I. Therefore, in 1761 he was decapitated in Graz. Among the family's properties sequestrated by the State, was also Castle Podcetrtek, which in 1781 was sold to Count Ignatius Attems.
In the following years, the Attems family made several changes to the structure of the castle. On the northern side they added St. Georg's Chapel, and on the eastern part a small clock tower was erected on top of the roof.
The Attems were holding the castle until the WW2. After the war, under the Communist regime, its rich interior decoration and its valuable furnishings were plundered, the building was nationalized, and a different class of people moved in. Regretfully, they damaged the building in a considerable manner. One of the tenants even kept chicken on the beautiful parquet floor in one of the rooms. Now, the historical building is slowly falling into decay.
Odolina Manor
And the Historical-Cultural Legacy of the Marenzi Family of Trieste
The present-day appearance of Odolina Manor, and the original arms of the Marenzi family
Dr. Jožko Šavli
Odolina Manor is situated in a lateral valley, which leads from the village Materija, on the main road between Trieste (Trst) and Fiume (Reka), to the Brkini mountain range. Its original Slovenian name is Odolina. In Italian records it is called Dulna (from the Slovenian word "dolina", valley), in German records it appears as Marensfeld or Mahrensfelt, named after its first owners the Marenzi family from Trieste.
The manor was built by the Marenzis after 1500, when one of the family members from Lombardy settled in Trieste and got married there. He was the founder of a new family line, or better said; he established a new family with the same name, who belonged to the patricians of Trieste. Another family member, Anton Marenzi († 1662), became Bishop of Trieste. In 1652, the family was bestowed with the rank of Imperial and Austrian baron, followed by the title "von Marenzfeld und Scheneck". A few years earlier, in 1631, they had obtained citizenship of Carniola. Then, in 1864, the family advanced to the rank of Austrian counts. Count Francis Anton Marenzi (1805 - 1886) was an Austrian general. After WW1, when Trieste came under Italy in 1927, the family received permission from the Italian Kingdom to bear the count title.
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View on Odolina Manor towards the end of the 17th century, depicted in the book "Topographia Ducatus Carnioliae modernae" (1679), published by the historian Valvasor. |
In 1685, the Marenzis sold Odolina Manor to the Petaz (Petazzi) family, (pronounce: petatch). And in 1785, the Petaz sold the property to the Brigido family. However, part of the estates did probably remain in the possession of the Marenzis, because they still maintained relations to this area between WW1 and WW2, when the territory pertained to Italy, at that time under the Fascist regime.
Mrs. Ivanka Sluga-Škof, (now in Australia), originally from the nearby Slovenian village of Artvize above Odolina in the Brkini hills, said, that at the beginning of the WW2, an Italian schoolmistress was driven away by the villagers, because she was too despotic and chauvinistic toward Slovenian children. Actually, the threat letter was written by the older students in the name of the partisans. Then, another schoolmistress, a member of the Marenzi family, replaced her. She must have taught in Italian, but she was a very kind-hearted lady and spoke also Slovenian, so that the people took a great liking to her.
Some members of the Marenzi family have been interred in the local village church of Brezovica, in the proximity of Odolina. Nevertheless, after the WW2, when the area came under the Communist regime of Yugoslavia, Odolina Manor was given to a state co-operative.
The cover and title page of the book "Slovenska plemiška pisma" (Slovenian letters of Nobility, 1980), published by Pavle Merkù of Trieste.
The Marenzi palace in Trieste has been preserved and can be seen in the Old City (Città Vecchia, Staro mesto) district. At the beginning of the 70s, approximately 30 letters written in Slovenian language were found in the archive. They pertained to noble ladies, the mother Baroness Esther Maximiliana Coraduzzi (born "von Prückenthal" near Suha/ Neuhaus, in Carinthia), and to her daughter Maria Isabella Marenzi nèe Coraduzzi. The letters, written in the period between 1685 and 1700, were published by Pavle Merkù under the title "Slovenska plemiška pisma" (Slovenian Letters of Nobility, Trieste 1980). Baroness Esther Maximiliana Coraduzzi dwelled in the Castle of Koca vas (Hallerstein) near Loz, in the area of Cerknica in today's Slovenia, whereas her daughter resided in Trieste.
A facsimile of one of the Slovenian letters written by Maria Isabella Marenzi (Trieste) to her mother Esther Maximiliana Coraduzzi (Castle Koca vas), dated 1686. The letter begins with the words: Vaseg.da, Perserzhena moia Luba Gospa Matti... (Your Grace, my heartily Dear Lady Mother...) and finishes: Vaseg.da Pochorno deite M.a I.a Marenzi (Your Grace's obedient child Maria Isabella Marenzi)
This correspondence provides proof, that the nobility spoke Slovenian not only in the Middle Ages but also in the centuries of the New Ages, although they usually preferred to write in another language, first in Latin, later mostly in German or in Italian, depending on their education. In the above mentioned case, we discovered correspondence in Slovenian language written by the noble class.
In the sense of the pan-Slav and Yugoslav ideologies, it was drummed into people's mind that the nobility in Slovenia was of "foreign" origin, who did not speak or understand Slovenian. Over 30 letters written in simple Slovenian by the Marenzi family provide sufficient proof for the public, that the nobility was fluent in reading, writing and speaking the Slovenian language. This discovery was a blow to the Yugoslav ideology. But the Yugoslav secret service in Lublana quickly spread the rumour, that the letters had been falsified.
Regretfully, this was the reason why Pavle Merkù's book, with its important collection of Slovenian letters written by the Slovenian nobility, was ignored in Slovenia. It happened in the 80s, when Slovenia was still part of Communist Yugoslavia, and Slovenians were continuously reminded, that they had lived under the "German yoke" for centuries, without history and noble class. Only their Serbian brethren supposedly saved them from this yoke in 1918, after the collapse of the Austrian Monarchy. Therefore, they must suffer from an "inferiority complex". Such was the ideological political directive from Belgrade, which has not been overcome yet in present-day Slovenia.
Castle Bizeljsko
Another monument from the legacy of St. Emma
Castle Bizeljsko above the borough of the same name
Dr. Jožko Šavli
The castle is located on a hill (301 m) in a very picturesque environment above the borough of Bizeljsko (Wisell), just below the Orlica mountain ridge in eastern Slovenia, close to the Croatian border. The castle itself was most probably only a tower at the time, when in 1016 Emperor Henry II donated this area to Count William II, son of Count William I of Breze-Selce (Friesach-Seltschach) and St. Emma of Krka (Gurk), in Carinthia. After her son died, Countess Emma initiated the foundation of the Benedictiness Abbey in Krka (Gurk), in 1043, where she herself entered the convent as a nun. However, in 1072, the Abbey was suspended, and a new bishopric was founded on its place, the Bishopric of Krka (Gurk).
At that time, the territory of Bizeljsko with the old tower, the predecessor of the later castle, belonged to the bishopric. The bishop appointed his knights as administrators or castellans of the castle. The castle was for the first time mentioned in the records in 1251, and a castellan by the name of Knight Eberhard has been documented in 1278. Thereafter other castellans followed. In 1443, the castellan Clemens Zwitter itemized the castle's armoury, as it stands written in the books of the See of Krka. The castle was well fortified and could sustain the attacks of the Turks, in 1457.
In 1515, during the great peasant rebellion, the castle was subjected to plunder and devastation. Soon after, in 1532, the Bishop of Krka entrusted the castle to the noble Hans Tattenbach, and in 1608, it became the hereditary property of his descendants. In 1623, the Tattenbachs gave a new image to the building by adding two towers on the two corners facing east. In the same century, the arcades were very probably erected in the inner yard, and the chapel of St. Jerome was added on the eastern side.
| The arms of Windischgrätz: |
| Quarterly: I and IV Windischgrätz, II Wolfsthal , III Tragaun (overturned), |
| Escucheon, in fess point Gradner
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| a and d Rabenstein
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| b Gonobitz or Konjiški (in counter colours) |
| c Wolfsthal. |
After 1764, this imposing castle came into the possession of several owners. In 1858, it was the property of the Princess of Windischgrätz, who were holding it until the WW2. After the war it was nationalised, first under communal and then under state administration. Today, it is the home of the vine-grower family Klakocer, and under their loving care a beautiful wine cellar has been built.
Castle Puštal
A little known stronghold with a very interesting historical data
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The Castle of Puštal near Škofja Loka situated in the centre of a market town. |
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On the right: its picturesque corner tower; |
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Left top: the arms of the Burgstals, in their family coat of arms appears the head of a Franciscan monk.
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Left bottom: the arms of the Oblaks or von Wolkensbergs (below). The arms of the Oblak family: Azure, a chamois goat on a rocky hill Argent. |
Dr. Jožko Šavli
Castle Puštal is situated in the market town of Puštal close to Škofja Loka, and was built in ca. 1220. Its name derives from the German word Burgstall, which means castellar (paleont), or "gradišce" in Slovenian. Thus, there is a strong possibility that at one time a prehistoric and also a Roman fortification was standing in its present place as predecessor of today's castle. Only the strategic post confirms this.
The castle was the residence of the knights or seigniors of Burgstal, whose first member Otto was mentioned already in 1214. Since 1483 the family owned several estates in Bela krajina (Slovenian March). The last member of this family, John Baptist Burgstal († 1743), the master of Castle Pobrezje (Freienthurn), finally appears as count in the records. The Burgstals played a visible role in the public life of Carniola. In their family coat of arms appears the head of a Franciscan monk.
In the 17th century, Castle Puštal passed over to the Oblak family from the village Gorenja vas in the Škofja Loka area, who were actively involved in the iron business. In 1688, Emperor Leopold granted to Mark Oblak, at that time the town judge of Škofja Loka, the nobility title with the attribution "von Wolkensberg". His grandson Francis became a baron, in 1753, and Francis' son received the title of hereditary cook master in Carniola. The arms of the family: Azure, a chamois goat on a rocky hill Argent.
Fresco "Descent from the Cross" by the Friulian painter Giulio Quaglia, 1706
Today, the castle provides housing for a music school. In the castle's chapel, built by the Oblaks, there is still a beautiful fresco preserved, the "Descent from the Cross", painted in 1706 by the Friulian painter Giulio Quaglia.
Castle Ptuj
The most remarkable of all Slovenian castles
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Castle Ptuj (Pettau) and the arms of its owners.
On the right are presented the three arms of the Seigniors of Ptuj:
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I) a toothed shield with fur (Kürsch) |
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II) Or, a dragon Sable |
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III) Gules, an anchor Argent. |
Bottom, from left to right are presented the arms of the families:
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Eggenberg, Tannhausen, Leslie and Herberstein, who were owners of the castle after the extinction of the Ptuj family . |
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Dr. Jožko Šavli
The very ancient Castle of Ptuj (Pettau) is a landmark that reposes on a gentle hillock above the Drava River and offers a view far and wide over the countryside. It is certain that already in pre-historic times a strategic fortified post existed here close to the passage over the Drava. In the Roman period, a very important road, expanding from Rome to Pannonia, was leading this way, and traffic flowed freely to the rising Roman city of Poetovio below the hill. The municipality belonged to the Roman province of Pannonia, and was an important market place. During the Christian persecution Poetovio had its own martyrs, who lived and died here. One of them, St. Victorinus, was venerated as a Saint.
After the decline of the Roman Empire followed a century of Barbarian kingdoms ruling the former Roman territory, Poetovio, however, pertained to the Duchy of Carantania. It seems that it was the seat of a Carantanian "knez" (count). But he was deposed in ca. 820, because of his association with the rebels against the Frankish officer Cadolah, the military commander of the area south of the Drava River. Liudevit, the Duke of Slavonia (now in Croatia), started the rebellion and was defeated. The king donated the town of Poetovio or Ptuj (Pettau) to the Archbishop of Salzburg.
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The arms of the seigniors of Ptuj (Pettau) on the left from the register "Sancti Christofori am Arlberg Bruderschafts Buch", after 1386. |
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On the right: the tombstone of Frederic VIII (†1438), the last member of the Ptuj family, from the Dominican Church in Ptuj, dating from ca. 1440. |
In 900, nearby Pannonia was occupied by Hungarians, who incessantly made incursions toward the west. The fortification on the hill above Ptuj was destroyed in the raids. However, Conrad I, the Archbishop of Salzburg (1131 - 1147), had the castle rebuilt (Vita Chunradi); and in 1137 the records mention for the first time the castellan Fridericus de Bethowe. He was the beginner of the powerful family of Ptuj (Pettau).
It may seem strange now, but back then the members of this family were the Archbishop's ministerials (knights) and formally unfree, like all knights. However, until the 15th century, the Ptuj family was one of the most important nobles in eastern Slovenia. They were known as the "Seigniors" of Ptuj" as to demonstrate their impressive presence in public life.
In 1245, the seigniors of Ptuj abandoned the first arms (a toothed shield with fur (Kürsch)) and put into their shield the arms of their relatives Hollenburg (Humperk) from Carinthia (Or, a dragon Sable). They are still featured in the crest of the present coat of arms. In 1294, they also added the arms of the knights of Ankenstein (Borl) (Gules, an anchor argent) to their shield. These two arms remained in the family until they became extinct with Frederic VIII († 1438).
The castle and the estates of the family were inherited by different families. In the 16th century the castle came into the possession of the Prince of the Land (landesfürstlich). Then, the owners were the Eggenbergs, followed by the Tannhausens. In 1656, it was bought by General Walther Leslie, who had it completely reconstructed. Today, his arms are still found above the main entrance. The last owners were family members of the Herbersteins, who dwelled here until the WW2.
Castle Pišece
Property of the Moscon family until WW2
Castle Pišece (Pischätz) and the arms of the Ratts (below) and those of the Moscons (above).
The latter owned the castle from the 16th century to the WW2.
Dr. Jožko Šavli
The castle is situated in the surrounding of Bizeljsko, not far from the Sotla River, which at one-time formed the frontier between Carantania (Inner Austria) and the Hungarian Kingdom. Today, the same river is the borderline between Croatia and Slovenia. The name of the castle derives probably from the word šanca (bei der Schanze, in German), meaning an ancient fort still encircled by fortified walls and entrenchment.
The area, in which the castle is located, belonged already in the Early Middle Ages to the Archbishopric of Salzburg. The archbishop appointed his administrators or castellans to manage the castle. The first one known was Conrad, mentioned in the records respectively late, between 1266 and 1299. The castle itself was mentioned in 1329 as House Pischaetz. However, the family of this knight or ministerial became extinct in 1353. Thereafter, the archbishop appointed several castellans to administer the castle. One of them was Frederic Ratt, who appears in 1426 as the archbishop's burgrave. In 1443, the castle is recorded as geschloss Pischecz.
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"The Moscon Family", oil on canvas, 1829 (Biedermeier style). The picture was painted by Joseph Tominz from Gorizia, the most important painter of the Biedermeier era. |
In 1595, the castle was sold to Innocent Moscon, member of a noble family that very probably originated in Trieste. Since the 16th century, the members of this family possessed many castles in Carniola and in Lower Styria. In 1715, they advanced to barons, and later one line of the family was even elevated to counts. Castle Pišec remained in their possession until the WW2. The last male member in the family was Alfred Moscon († 1929), who was deputy for the district of Brezice.
Jelše Manor
It was one of the most beautiful manors of Styria
Today, it is nearly destroyed
The present-day building of Jelše manor: On the right the arms of Gaisrucks (above) and of Lindecks (below).
Dr. Jožko Šavli
The manor, distinguished and rich in elegance, is located close to the borough of Šmarje, east of Celje (Cilli) in Lower Styria. German written records mention it for the first time under the name of Erlach in 1424 . This German name was obviously a translation of the Slovenian name Jelše. The Slovenian word "jelša", in German "Erle" means alder-tree. Thus, the soil and climatic characteristics of the area must have been suitable to grow alders. The Slovenian name Jelsche (spelled in German), appears at the end of the 15th century.
In 1666, the manor was given in fief to Baron Sigmund Gaisruck, who had it reconstructed in an imposant Barock style. It also harboured the seat of the regional court (until 1870). The Gaisrucks, a family of an indigenous origin, were very famous in Lower Styria . In 1401, Nicolas Gaisruck, mentioned in the records as the first member of this family, was the castellan of Marenberg (now Radlje) in the Drava Valley. It is very possible that his German name was wrongly translated from the Slovenian name Kozjak (a convex ridge), whereby one imagines the basic word "koza", i.e., a she-goat (Geiß, in German). But the ancient word "kosy" meant also a mountain ridge. Indeed, east of Marenberg unfolds a ridge called Kozjak (Poßruck, in German). To relate the origin of the name to Gaisruck must have happened by accident.
In 1667, the Gaisrucks advanced to the rank of counts and they also received the arms of the extinct Lindeck family, who dwelt in Castle Landeck (Lindeck), close to the village of Lipa near the borough of Frankolovo, north of Celje. About 1760, the Gaisrucks completed the structure of another splendid manor, that of Novo Celje near Zalec. Castle Jelše remained in possession of the Gaisrucks until 1799.
Then, the manor became property of Anton Nagy, in 1837 of Raimund Novak, in 1845 of Rudolf and Theresa Gödel, in 1884 of the family Gödel-Lannoy, in 1887 of the family Attems. In that century the manor was reconstructed in oriental style, furnished with precious movables and paintings. It was surrounded by a beautiful garden, full of exotic plants.
Regretfully, the fate of the splendid manor was decided after the WW1. The new Yugoslav regime did not pay attention to castles and manors. Jelše became property of the Jelšingrad association. During the WW2, the manor served as Arbeitsdienst for the German occupation authority. But the very destructive end came after the war under the Communist regime of Yugoslavia. The precious furniture were carried away into all directions. Irreparable damage was done to the inside of the castle. The beautiful garden in its greater part was parcelled into small lots and walled in. The building served as an old age home for pensioners. After the earthquake in the nearby Kozjansko region, in 1974, the last dwellers abandoned the manor, which gradually fall into ruins.
Castle Lendava
It was rebuilt by the famous family of Esterhàzy
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After WW2 the Castle of Lendava was renewed and serves now as home for a museum and art gallery. A memorial room has been set up for the great Hungarian sculptor and native György Zale from the 19th century. |
Dr. Jožko Šavli
The castle is beautifully situated among vineyards on a hill above Lendava in the present-day Slovenian part of ancient Pannonia. The borough and later town of Lendava pertained until WW1 to the Hungarian Kingdom. After the battle near Mohacs in 1526, in which the Hungarian king fell, the Archduke of Austria and King, Ferdinand I of Habsburg, was elected King of Hungary. In this way the two empires, Austria and Hungary, were united under a unique sovereign. But after the war, Turks occupied the most part of Hungary for one and a half-centuries. In 1664, they tried to invade Inner Austria too, but they were heavily defeated in the battle near St. Gotthard (Monošter) on the River Raab, north-west of Lendava. Thereafter the Turks withdrew also from Lendava.
According to several documents, the first defensive structure was erected here already in the 12th century, which very probably was a medieval tower. The castle is mentioned in the records for the first time in 1278 as property of the well-known Bànffy family. This family died out in 1644. After the withdrawal of the Turks, Emperor Leopold I granted Castle Lendava to the Esterhàzy de Galàntha family, who had it reconstructed in a beautiful L-shaped form. The castle became a showpiece of Baroque architecture, and it remained in the Esterhàzy family possession until the WW2.
The existence of this family dates back to the 13th century. Their twofold name descends from the marriage between Benedict Esterhàzy and Helen von Bessenyey de Galàntha, in 1526. The family was later divided into three lines: Forchtenstein, Ceßnek and Altsohl. The members of the Forchtenstein line (called after a castle near Eisenstadt in Burgenland, today Austria) became counts in 1626 and in 1712 even Imperial Princes with the epithet "High-born" (Hochgeboren). In 1825, they achieved also the predicate "Your Highness" (Durchlaucht). The Family Esterhàzy de Galàntha received much merit in the field of culture and economy besides many other credits in the countries of the one-time Monarchy.
Castle Planina
During the height of Great Carantania's glory
it was the seat of the military commander of Kozjansko
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Castle Planina in copper engraving of 1790. On the right the seal of the knight Ulric Munparis from 1234, depicting a half eagle (above) and a chevron (below) - the sign of a military commander.
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Dr. Jožko Šavli
Planina (Montpreis, in German documents) is a borough situated in the middle of the Kozjansko region, between the rivers Sava in the south and Sotla in the east, in Lower Styria. To day, the Sotla is still the border between Slovenia and Croatia. Of course, the name Kozjansko does not derive from the word "koza" (goat, in Slovenian). The word originates from "kosi" (a convex ridge), like Kozjak and similar names. In fact, the Kozjansko region exhibits a variety of such ridges with grass plains in-between. In Slovenian, such a plain is called a level "plan", and a large plain is called "planina". However, in modern Slovenian the latter word means only an Alpine meadow.
Generally speaking, the name Planina, which is in question here, bears also the epithet "near Sevnica", as to distinguish it from other sites with the same name. In fact, this particular Planina is not located "near" Sevnica, but relatively far from it. Its Latin name Montparis or Muntparis (Munparis) is evidently a corrupted translation from the original Slovenian name. From the Latin form derived the German name Montpreis. It is possible, that the Latin name could be a legacy of the Antiquity. Indeed, several Roman findings have been discovered here. The most important one is the stone head of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
In the early Middle Ages, in the period of the great Duchy of Carantania (10th century), the region of Kozjansko was the property of St. Emma of Krka (Gurk). After her death in 1045, the Kozjansko region came into possession of the Bishopric of Krka (Gurk) in Carinthia, which was built on land donated by St. Emma. It is said, that the foundation stone to the Castle in Planina was laid at least in the 11th century, and was completed around the 12th century. The bishop appointed ministerials (knights) as administrators of the castle. The first one mentioned was Ortholfus de Munparis, who appears in the records in 1190. But his family died out already in the following century.
However, after interpreting their coat of arms, I was very surprised when I discovered the real meaning of the picture on the family seal from 1234 that belonged to Ulric de Munparis († ca. 1250). His seal depicts the following arms: divided per fess, a half-eagle (above) and a chevron (below). The colours, at that time, could only have been Sable (both the half-eagle and the chevron) and Argent (the shield).
It is well known that the Eagle was an imperial and royal sign, whereas the Chevron in Carantania, already in the pre-heraldic period was the sign of a military commander, gradnik (castellan, burgrave) in Slovenian. Thus, the knight of Planina must have been a military commander of the Kozjansko area. The central position and the unusual size of his castle also testify this.
After the Munparis (Planinski) family became extinct, the castle changed hands of several families - the Schärffenbergs, the Ptujski (Pettau), the Sanecks and the Cillis. With the extinction of the last named family, in 1456, it became property of the Princes of the Land (Styria). Thereafter it was given in fief or in pledge to various families. Among them we find the well-known Moscon family of great importance (1588 - 1768).
Today, the Castle of Planina is in decay. In 1866, the then owner Count Bloome still searched for ways to save its powerful structure. However, because of the friable rock the castle is standing on, a restructure was not possible. The rock would not have sustained the new burden of construction. In 1884, the owner had the roof removed to avoid unnecessary taxes.
The name of Ana Wambrechtsammer (1897 - 1933) has to be mentioned here. She was a female writer, originally from Planina, who died in Graz and was buried in Planina. She wrote mostly in German. Among her literary works the novel "Heute Grafen von Cilli, und nimmermehr" yielded the greatest success.
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| A legacy of St. Emma of Krka |
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| And one of the oldest pharmacies of Europe |
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Castle Olimje has been restored in its original state. On the right, from top to bottom: |
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Seal of the Peilstein family (bearing the panther figure) |
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The arms of Tattenbach |
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The arms of Attems |
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| Castle Olimje is located not far from the borough of Podcetrtek, close to the Sotla River, which borders on Croatia. According to some documents, a small castle existed here already in 1015. It was most probably only a fortified tower, which was characteristic for that period. It has been proven that the first owners of this area were the Counts of Peilstein. They certainly were the closest relatives of St. Emma († 1045), because she became the heiress of their estates. Thanks to her generous property donations, the Bishopric of Krka (Gurk) was founded in 1072, and in this way it became the owner of Castle Olimje and the adjacent lands alongside the Sotla River. |
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| The village of Pilštanj (originally Peilstein) in the surrounding vicinity still today testifies the presence of this family. In the people's tradition, St. Emma was one of the Peilsteins, and they called her Emma Pilštanjska. In the parish church of Pilštanj there is a beautiful fresco of the Saint. North of Pilštanj, the pilgrim church of Sv. Ema was built on a hill (349 m). But there was also another line of the Peilstein family, from which the bailiffs of the See of Salzburg descended. This line originated from Castle Karlstein near Reichenhall not far from Salzburg (today belonging to Bavaria). The line, which was of great influence in the territory of Salzburg and in Upper Austria, became extinct with Count Frederic III († 1218). His seal of the same year portrays the Carantanian Panther. |
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| Castle Olimje or Volimje (in the records spelled as Olymia or Wolimia) was given in fief to several families by the bishops of Krka. The present-day building was given to Hans Tattenbach, in 1550. After 1604, some nobles from Croatia followed as his owners. In 1664, Baron Ivan Sakhmardy invited the Paulinian Order from Lepoglava (Croatia) and donated the castle to them. |
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| The ancient pharmacy of the Paulinians with frescos on the walls. |
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| On the place where the ancient castle chapel once stood in one of the towers, the Paulinians had built an impressive church, in 1675. In it a gilt altar is preserved, the greatest of its kind in the whole of Lower Styria. The Paulinians were skilled in herbal medicine of those times, based on herb plants. They set up their very own pharmacy within the castle. Unfortunately, in 1782 Emperor Joseph II suspended all monasteries, including the one of Volimje. In 1785 Count Attems bought the castle, but he did not make it his residence because of high maintenance costs. He had torn down two tracts of the building in 1807. The castle remained in possession of the Attems, but it was used for different purposes. Between 1820 and 1893, it became the permanent home for a school. |
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| Several years after WW2, the castle began to be restored. It is one of the most picturesque of all Slovenian castles. Its well preserved pharmacy is one of the oldest in Europe, equipped with Baroque frescoes on the walls showing, among others, various medical plants, for example crabapple (Malus), vine (Vitus vinifera), mandragora (Mandragora officinarum), ivy (Hedera helix), cedar (Cedrus sp.) etc.
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Castle Brezice
has the most beautiful Baroque Paintings in Slovenia
Castle Brezice (Rann) with the arms of the Attems
Dr. Jožko Šavli
Castle Brezice (Rann) was the centre of the estates located in the lower Sava Region (Posavje) of present-day Slovenia, which belonged to the Archbishopric of Salzburg. It is certain that the castle was built in the 13th century, because in 1309 the records mention the castellan and four guards. The castle was an important strategic position close to the border of Croatia, which was part of the Hungarian Kingdom. This territory still experienced several incursions after the 10th century, followed by attacks from the Turks, who since 1408 continuously invaded Carniola and Styria, proceeding from Bosnia through Croatia.
In 1491, the castle came into possession of the Princes of the Land, i.e., the dukes of Styria, who at that time were already the Habsburgs. They were also Dukes of Inner Austria, Kings and Emperors. During the great peasant rebellion of 1515, the building was conquered and set ablaze. But the castellans of the Gall of Gallenberg family had the castle rebuilt between 1530 and 1591 in Renaissance style.
Knights' Hall of the castle with paintings by F. K. Ramb
In 1694, it came under ownership of Count Ignatius Maria Attems and remained in possession of the Attems family until WW2. In the 18th century the Attems had the building very artistically decorated with numerous frescos. The artist Ignatius Flurer painted, among others, its Baroque chapel and the staircase. The Knight's Hall on the first floor was entirely painted with frescos, most probably done by F. K. Ramb. The castle's hall is still today the most beautiful in all of Slovenia.
Fresco on the vault of the staircase, painted by Ignatius Flurer.
It shows a scene with Venus, the goddess of beauty.
Today, the castle provides accommodation for the Posavski muzej (Museum of the Sava Region), and exhibits several collections. There are also Baroque art works by Metzinger, Cebej, Lerchinger, Flurer... and it features a special collection from the indigenous graphic artist and painter Franjo Stiplovšek.
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| An important Monument in Slovenian History |
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Castle Rihemberg in the Branica Valley, and the arms of the Lantieri family. |
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Top left: the original arms. |
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Bottom right: this coat of arms was probably granted to the descendants of Anton Lantieri, when they received in pledge Vipava and Rihemberg in 1528. |
Dr. Jožko Šavli
At the end of the Second World War, the castle was destroyed by partisans, who were under the command of the secret service department of the Yugoslav army headquarters. It is assumed, that the destruction resulted out of mere envy and
jealousy, because Serbia does not have such a treasure of Medieval castles. However, in the post-war period, the Office for Preservation of Monuments in Nova Gorica began with the restoration of the castle, which will take several years. The castle stands on a hill close to the edge of the Karst plateau in the southern part of Slovenia. Below the castle the Branica River is winding along the Branica Valley, in which the borough of Rihemberg or Rihemberk is to be found. After WW2, the name, because of its German form, was changed to Branik.
The foundation of the castle was probably laid in the 12th century. Its first owner was the Patriarch of Aquileia, who appointed the castellans (gradniki, in Slovenian), the adminstrative branch of the castle.
According to the historian Coronini, castellan Otto was mentioned in the records already in 1165. In 1232 the family became known as the Reifenbergs (an abbreviation of Greifenberg), and their last member was mentioned in 1371. Then, the castle came under the ownership of the Counts of Gorica, who appointed their own castellans.
This family line died out in 1500, therefore, all their estates, including Castle Rihemberg, came into possession of the Habsburgs. In 1528, Archduke and King Ferdinand I of Habsburg gave Castle Rihemberg in pledge to the Lantieri family, and in 1649 it became their property. The name of the family descended from Anton Lantieri (Lanthiery), the son-in-law of the Baumkirchner family from Vipava. Originally he came from a very famous family, probably of Langobardian roots, from Brescia (Italy). To avoid the incessant fights that took place, he found sanctuary in Ljubljana in ca. 1450. Then, in 1465 he married the daughter of the famous knight Baumkirchner, and his issues bore the name Lantieri. The family always kept its Slovenian character. In the 19th century the family collaborated in the rebirth of Slovenian national consciousness. When in 1864 the Slovenian reading-room was founded in Vipava; Count Karl Lantieri became the chairman.
At the turn of the 20th century, Clementina Lantieri, as the last member of the family, married Baron Herman Levetzow of Mecklenburg. Since then, the family was called Lantieri Levetzow. After WW2, when Vipava and Rihemberg came under Communist Yugoslavia, their properties were confiscated. The family left Slovenia for their palace in Gorica (Gorizia). Today, all members of the family are extinct. Until the end of their days they remained true Slovenians in every sense of the word, who were proud of their Slovenian heritage and language.
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| with the Protestant Chapel |
Dr. Jožko Šavli
Arnulf of Carinthia, King of the Eastern Franks, gave in 895 extensive lands to the noble Waltuni, an ancestor of St. Emma of Krka (Gurk), the later heiress of his estates. When St. Emma entered the Monastery of Krka in 1043, where she died in 1045, these estates came under the ownership of the Archbishopric of Salzburg. Archbishop Conrad I (1106 - 1147) helped many colonists to settle in this territory and founded two administrative offices to assist them - one in Brezice (Rann) and another one in Sevnica (Lichtenwald).
It is quite possible that Castle Sevnica existed already at that time, or that a tower had been constructed. Nevertheless, the site of Sevnica has been mentioned already in 1275, and the castle has been documented for the first time in 1309. In the same year the records speak also of a castellan, who disposed of four guards.
Sevnica became the dwelling place of many families. In 1595 the estate was sold to the Moscon family, followed by the Auerspergs, the Draškovic and the noble Josephina Keglewich. From 1803 to 1864 it came under the ownership of Johann Hendl of Rebenburg. Then, the castle served other purposes.
After the Second World War, 25 families found a home in its ancient walls, who showed no interest and understanding to preserve its historical and artistic characteristics. Much damage was done. However, the Commune of Sevnica tried to protect its cultural value, and had it restored between 1964 and 1974. Today, the castle is one of the most important sights in the town of Sevnica. Many interesting museum collectibles are on display, as for example a firefighter collection, a school collection, etc. The castle rooms are used for conferences and weddings. Of great interest are the paintings by Alojz Konc and the collections of Slovenian decorative arts from Ivan Razboršek.
Outside of the one-time castle walls, there is the renewed Protestant chapel, called Luther's cellar. It was conformed for the Protestant divine services in ca. 1560. The chapel is richly depicted with frescos. Very important is the so-called Luther's rose (a rosette of five petals with a heart in the centre), which confirms the Protestant tradition. This preserved Protestant chapel is unique in Slovenia.
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| It was resistant to the Turkish attacks |
Castle Velenje (Völlan, in German records) was built on a hill, 66 m above the town with the same name. This community expanded considerably after the WW2. We would like to mention that the plateau opens into a beautiful panorama all around. Its beginning goes back to the 13th century, when it belonged to the seigniors of Kunšperk (Königsberg), who owned another castle near the Sotla River on the Croatian border as well.
The seigniors of Kunšperk entrusted the administration of the castle to their castellans. The first documented administrator was Gundachero de Welen, mentioned as the guarantee for his master Gundacher of Kunšperk. In 1322, Frederic Kunšperk sold the castle to his relative Hardegn of Ptuj (Pettau). Then, the ownership changed hands many times. In 1477, it came into the possession of the Liechtenbergs. In 1537, the last member of this family gave the castle to Hans Wagen of Wagensberg, and in 1553 it was handed down to his son Balthasar.
He made extensive renovations in Renaissance style, which have been preserved until today. Above the entrance one can see the numbers 1558, i.e., the year in which the restoration was completed.
In 1598 the castle changed hands again. In 1603 it became the property of the Sauer family from Koziak. The building resisted the Turkish attacks several times, and also the peasant rebellion in 1637. The Sauer family possessed the castle until 1797. Then, other masters followed: the families of Pauer, Trigler, Harncourt-Unverzagt and Adamovich. In 1918, the Counts of Coronini-Cronberg purchased this historic structure and it remained in their possession until the WW2. Today, the castle is a museum.
Castle Stari grad
An idyllic Fort in the countryside of picturesque Trška gora
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Painting of Castle Stari grad by Samo Kralj (Novo mesto). |
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Top left: The arms of Obritsch. |
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Below: the arms of the Knights of Altenburg (Starograjski)
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Dr. Jožko Šavli
The name "Stari grad" means "old castle". In German written records it appears as Altenburg. The castle sits on a hill in the southern part of Trška gora and is surrounded by charming vineyards in beautiful Lower Carniola, not far from the city of Novo mesto.
At first, the castle was owned by the Patriarch of Aquileia, and was mentioned already in the 12th century. The Patriarch appointed his ministerials (knights) as masters of the castle. Around 1230 the records name Albert of Altenburg (Starograjski) as the first master. The chevron in his arms shows that he was also the castellan, or "gradnik" in Slovenian, i.e., the commander of the local troops. Already in approx. 1350 the castle passed over to the Ortenburgs, in 1418 to the Cillis, then followed the Obretschan, the Hohenwarts, the Valvasors...
Between 1699 and 1806 Stari grad belonged to the Breckerfeld family. John Sigmund Breckerfeld (1688 - 1760) was an important person in the field of economy, law and policy, aside from also being a poet. His son Francis Anton (1740 - 1806) was a historian.
In the 19th century the Breckerfelds died out, and Stari grad came into possession of an Italian family by the name of Margheri de Commandona. The last male member of this family died in 1929, and his sister passed away in 1931. The castle then passed by testament to the Convent of Hospitalers in Kandija near Novo mesto. In 1944, the castle was set ablaze by partisans. It was obviously a directive from the Yugoslav secret service, because the Balkans do not have historical castles of their own.
Castle Otocec
A romantic post on an isle in the River Krka
Dr. Jožko Šavli
Its name Otocec (pronounce: ototchets) is a diminutive of the Slovenian word "otok" (island, isle), meaning thus "a small island". Indeed, the castle is located on an island in the middle of the Krka River, east of Novo mesto (Lower Carniola). Its beginning probably goes back to the 12th century, when this area pertained to the Counts of Višnja gora (Weixelburg). After them followed the Margraves of Andechs, the Dukes of Babenberg, and after 1246, when the line became extinct, Prince Otakar of Bohemia donated the property to the Bishopric of Freising (in Bavaria). The Bishopric appointed ministeriales (knights) as administrators of the castle.
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Castle Otocec is situated on a small island in the middle of the Krka River (Lower Carniola). |
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The arms of families, who, back in history, where the owners of this castle. |
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To the left: Werde (Otoški), Villanders, Lenkovic. |
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To the right: Sonze (Sonce) and Schwaiger (Švaiger), the latter depitcs a soaring lark. |
In 1252, the first known ministerial was Heinricus de Werde. The German form "de Werde" (Wörth) means an "isle" in a lake or river. The Werde family (in Slovenian: Otoški), who were the later owners of the castle, died out at the end of the 15th century. Then the castle came into possession of the Villanders, who originated from Tyrol. But in 1560, the Generalissimus Ivan Lenkovic, the commander of the Military Border against the Turks (in Croatia), took over the property.
In 1629, it was sold to the nobleman Janez Sonce, and passed by ways of the heiress Rosalia Sonce to the Schwaiger (Švajger) family, in 1727. The castle remained in possession of the nobles Schwaiger "von Lerchenfeld" for 124 years. In 1764 they advanced to the rank of barons. In 1854, the castle was sold to the Counts Margheri de Commandona, a family of Italian origin. The last member of this family died in 1929, but their adopted son Villavicenzio and his family continued to preserve the family property until the beginning of the 1940's.
The picture is a painting of Samo Kralj, Novo mesto
In 1941, Italy occupied Lower Carniola, and the partisans started a liberation guerilla war. The partisans, obviously because the owners had an "Italian" name, set the castle ablaze in 1942. In the years after WW2 the castle was gradually renewed, and serves today as a luxurious hotel.
Castle Negova
A Strategic Historical Fortress in Styria
Castle Negova and the arms belonging to the family Trautmannsdorf (Per pale Gules and Argent,
a rose of six petals counterchaged).
Dr. Jožko Šavli
This castle is to be found in the hilly countryside near the city of Radgona (Radkersburg). Today, the city's suburb, located on the right side of the Mura River, belongs to Slovenia, whereas Radgona, to the left side, is in Austria (Styria). The castle was built as a fortress against attacks from Hungarians, and later from Turks. Its beginning goes back to the 11th century, when in 1106 the village of Negova has been mentioned in the records as Negoine. The castle building itself was mentioned first as vest Negau in 1425. The name derives, as it is believed, from the personal name Nego.
The Winden family was the first known owner of the property. Many other proprietors followed. In 1487, while under the ownership of the Bärneck family, the castle was beleaguered and taken by the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus. The King gave it in fief to Joseph, son of Jan Vitovec, the famous Bohemian generalissimus, who fought on side of the Cilli family against the Habsburgs.
Since 1542 until the end of the WW2, the castle belonged to the Trautmannsdorf, who in 1805 advanced to State Princes. They were an ancient Styrian family from the village of Trautmannsdorf near Bad Gleichenberg (Stara Radgojna). Herand, the first member of this family, was mentioned between 1308 and 1325. Their German name Trautmann is equal to the denotation Günstling in the Early Middle Ages, meaning "a member of an intimate circle" of a lord, or of a sovereign. It is equal to the nearly forgotten Slovenian word "pribocnik" (pronounce pribotchnik). Thus, the very origin of this family must go back to the period of the Carantanian, or the later Styrian dukes.
Negova most probably was already a fortress during the Hallstatt period (ca. 800 - 400 BC). Many Hallstattian helmets were discovered at its locality. Some of them bear Venetic inscriptions as for example, the inscription HARIGASTITEIVAIIVL on a helmet kept in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. The linguist Matej Bor deciphered its meaning, based on the Slovenian language: HARI (he beats) GASTI (the foreign) TE I (and also) VAIIVL (II as y, thus "vayul" - fought).
Castle Dobrovo
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A Renaissance Building in a Picturesque Countryside |
Castle Dobrovo in the area of Goriška Brda with the arms of the Colloredo (Sable, a fess Argent).
Dr. Jožko Šavli
Castle Dobrovo is to be found in the centre of Goriška Brda, a hilly area north-west of Gorica (Gorizia) alongside the present-day Slovenian-Italian border. The Slovenian word "brdo" (pl. "brda") means just that "a hill, hillocks". It is a sunny countryside, where tender fruits like cherries, peaches and grapes are grown. We don't know what kind of castle existed on this place before the 16th century. The famous Colloredo family from neighbouring Friuli, a line of the Mels, built the present-day manor in Renaissance style in ca. 1590. Until its completion, both families lived in their castles north of Udine.
Since 1501, the Colloredos were members of the Diet of the Province of Gorica, which already at that time was a part of Inner Austria. Here they made their career. In 1588 they advanced to the rank of counts. Their remote relatives were the Walsee (Waldsee) family, who had died out. In 1591, they inherited their properties, which extended into Austria and mainly into Bohemia. One family line settled in Bohemia and bore the name Colloredo-Waldsee. During the Thirty Years War, Rudolf Colloredo-Waldsee († 1657), Marshal of the Imperial army, defended successfully Prague against the attacks of the Swedes. Unfortunately, his son Louis († 1693) was the last member of this line. Another line advanced in 1763 to the rank of Imperial princes. A member of this line, Gundakar Colloredo, married Marie Isabella, heiress of the Princes of Mannsfeld. In 1789, the sovereign gave permission to unite the two names into Colloredo-Mannsfeld. The arms of both families were associated in one shield.
In the middle of the 19th century Castle Dobrovo was owned by the Baguer family, who were Austrian nobles of Spanish origin. It was in their possession until after the WW1, when this area became part of Italy. In 1945, the territory came under Yugoslavia, and common people plundered the castle. Thereafter, it was declared public property and served for various purposes. Only a decade ago renovation started gradually. Today, the big halls are used for cultural performances, and it provides a home for the gallery of the world-famous graphic artist and painter Zoran Mušic.
Castle Škofja Loka
A gift from Emperor Otto II to Bishop Abraham of Freising (957 - 994)
The castle of Škofja Loka with the arms of the Bishopric of Freising
Dr. Jožko Šavli
In 973, Emperor Otto II donated to Bishop Abraham of Freising (near Munich, Bavaria) the village of Loka, today Stara Loka, in Carniola. In the gift charter the village is called "Bischoflack" (Škofja Loka). But the borough of this same name is of somewhat later origin, and developed at the confluence of the rivers Selška Sora and Poljanska Sora. This borough became Škofja Loka (Bischoflack), and was recorded as a "town" in 1274.
The title pages of the manuscript called Monumenta Frisingensia
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The 1st Monument begins with the words: Glagolite po naz redka zlouesa... (Repeat after us these few words...).
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The 2nd Monument: Ecce bi detd nas ne zegresil... (If our grandfather did not sin...).
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The 3rd Monument: Jaz ze zaglagolo Zlodeiu... (I renounce to Evil...).
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The contents of the second monument is generally known by the Latin name Adhortatio ad poenitentiam. It shows connections with the Pannonian literature of St. Methodius. The Monumenta Frisingensia is the most important literary document of those times, in particular because of its eastern and western literary elements (F. Grivec).
Bishop Abraham of Freising very probably was of Carantanian (Slovenian) origin. During his episcopate three important literary texts of prayers were written, the so-called Monumenta Frisingensia (Brizinski spomeniki, in Slovenian), which originated in the territory of Freising near Spittal in upper Carinthia. The fact, that the Emperor donated to him estates in a Slovenian territory, must have been of importance.
At the time of donation, the castle above the town did not exist. Probably a tower (turen) had been erected long before the castle was built. Such towers were the predecessors of castles. In fact, foundations were discovered in the yard of the present-day castle, which had been renovated. The first mentioning of the castle originated in 1202 - castrum firmissimum de Lonca. Thus, it must have been an important structure already at that time. During the peasant rebellion of 1511 the castle was destroyed, but it was rebuilt soon after by Bishop Philip had it, and has been preserved in this form until today. At the present time, it is the home of several collections belonging to the Museum of Škofja.
Beltinci Manor
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Top right: Azure, a leaf crown Or, mounted with two natural antlers portraying six tines each, in the centre a pendent cross Argent (Zichy).
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Bottom right: Azure, a bleeding, cut Tartar head with turned-up moustache; his head is covered with a cap Gules trimmed with fur (Csàky). |
Dr. Jožko Šavli
Pannonia (Prekmurje), the most eastern part of Slovenia, was at one-time a Roman province; later it belonged to the Great Duchy of Carantania. Since 900 AD the province was under the Hungarian crown. In 1918, its Slovenian speaking territory was integrated into Slovenia (Yugoslavia), and Murska Sobota, the chief-town of Pannonia, became the centre. The borough of Beltinci is to be found near the Mura River, which, back in history, was the centre of the county. Some villages of the former county have been recorded as early as 1322.
Beltinci Manor was responsible for the county's administration. The present-day structure, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, originated in the 17th century, and was owned by several families. From 1730 - 1816 it belonged to the well-known family Csàky, whose members were elevated to the rank of counts in 1560. Count Emeric Csàky († 1732) was Bishop of Kalocsa, Nicolas Csàky († 1757) was Bishop of Esztergom (Ostrogon).
In 1892, the property was sold to the Zichy family. Their members have been counts since 1697, they resided in the Manor until WW2. The remains of family members and their branches were burried in the church vault of St. Ladislaus of Beltinci.
Castle Bled
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| A Picturesque Castle of Slovenia |
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| The idyllic Castle Bled situated on a big rock above Lake Bled, and the arms of the Bishops of Brixen. |
Dr. Jožko Šavli
In 1004, in the city of Trent, Emperor Henry II donated the seigniory of Bled in Carniola (today Slovenia) to the Diocese of Brixen in Tyrol. At that time, the Bishop of Brixen (Prishna, i.e., Brizina in Slovenian) was Albin (Albuin), son of St. Hildegard (Liharda), a countess from Carantania (Carinthia). Bishop Albin transferred the See from ancient Sabiona (Säben), which was founded in Roman times by St. Ingenuin, to Brixen, where he died in 1006. He was a very pious man, and later he was declared Saint by the Church. Today, St. Albin and his saintly predecessor are protectors of the Diocese of Brixen.
Lake Bled and its picturesque island with the pilgrims Church of St. Mary in the centre
In 1011, Emperor Henry II also donated Castle Bled to Bishop Adalbero, who was Albuin's follower. In this way, the castle above Lake Bled became the centre of an important seigniory. It was not directly managed by the Bishops of Brixen, but by their ministerials or knights. The administrator of the castle had a certain authority, because the records mention him as captain (Hauptmann, glavar) or castellan (Burggraf, gradnik). Since 1371, the castle was leased to various families, first to the Kraighs from Carinthia (until 1558), then to Auerspergs (until 1574). After that, it was administered by different families of more or less importance.
In 1803, the seigniory was taken over by the Austrian State, based on the peace treaty with France. The latter demanded that the domains of Brixen should be seized. However, in 1838 Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria issued a decree whereby all seized properties were returned to Brixen. But already in 1858 the Bishop of Brixen sold Castle Bled with all pertaining estates to an industrialist.
Grimšcice Manor
The family's coat of arms: Argent, a siskin on a cradle Gules
Dr. Jožko Šavli
In the proximity of Recica, a village on the northern side of Lake Bled, there is to be found in a tranquil setting Manor Grimšcice (Grimschitz in German), the one time residence of an ancient Slovenian noble family. The family name with its German spelling Grimschitz has been mentioned in the records as early as in the 11th century. The family had a good reputation and was well-known in public life. In 1245, a certain Alexander Grimschitz went into history as Captain of Carniola. In the following centuries, other family members came to rank and fame based on their excellent services rendered. Sigismund Grimschitz for example, in 1446 he was commander of the infantry in expeditions against the Turks. In 1700, Georg Adam Grimschitz was one of the founders of the Academia Operosorum in Ljubljana. In the following year he, together with his brother George Carl, were elevated to the rank of barons.
The family's coat of arms is very interesting: Argent, a siskin on a cradle Gules. - In the first half of the19th century, the last member of the family, John Grimschitz, sold the manor to Baron Švegel. Between 1850 and 1902 the manor was renewed completely and its appearance has been preserved until today.
Castle Kozjak
A living memory in Slovenian Literature
Dr. Jožko Šavli
The name of this castle is quite well known from Slovenian literature. It was situated on a hill near Dobrnic not far from Trebnje (Lower Carniola). Today, the castle is completely dilapidated. The above reproduced picture has been taken from Valvasor's work "Die Ehre des Herzogtums Crain" (XI, 314), 1679. I added the coat of arms of the Kozjak family, which I individuated in my heraldic researches.
The castle was the dwelling place of the Kozjak family, which played an important role in the novel "George Koziak, a Slovenian Janizary" written by Joseph Jurcic (1844 - 1881), when he was at the tender age of 19. The novel was translated into ca. 50 languages, including Chinese, thanks to the endeavours of Father Ferdinand Kolednik.
French Edition
Cover and title page of the fifth French edition of "La Vengeance du Tzigane" (George Koziak)
English Edition
Cover and title page of the first English edition of "George Koziak, a Slovenian Janizary"
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Letter by Thomas Card. Tien |
Letter written by Thomas Card. Tien, S.V.D. Archbishop of Peiping,
living in exile in St. Mary's Mission House, Techny, Illinois, USA.
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As Catholics of the great Chinese nation are now being persecuted by the same enemies of Christianity as those who are oppressing the tiny Slovene nation, in central Europe, I am pleased to recommend to Chinese Catholics the reading of the splendid little volume, entitled: GEORGES KOZIAK, A SLOVENE JANISSARY, originally from the pen of the great classical writer, Joseph Jurcic, and recently translated into good Chinese through the authorization of Dom Paulinus Lo, Prior of the Trappist Monastery of Our Lady of Joy, located in Hongkong. |
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It is my hope that the example of the heroic fortitude of the Slovene nation, through the centuries, is resisting the efforts of her persecutors to rob her people of the Christian Faith, may serve as a heartening example to our Chinese Catholics, now subject to a similar oppression. May this beautiful story of heroic faith find a large and enthusiastic reading-public among Chinese patrons of Catholic literature. |
The following is a brief history of the Kozjaks:
In 1274, Ulric Kozjak was mentioned in the records for the first time as owner of the castle. Between 1317 and 1329 it pertained to Ortolf Kozjak. In 1422, it became the property of Jurij (George) Kozjak, followed by William, who was Archdeacon of the Slovenian March (Bela krajina). In 1475 it was owned by Louis Kozjak (Ludvik, in Slovenian), known as a true war hero who fought against the Turks. He became their prisoner in that year, but ransomed himself from captivity. - Joseph Jurcic obviously adopted this man's life story in his novel.
The last member of the Kozjak family died in 1540, and the Sauer family, their close relatives, inherited the castle. They changed their name to Sauer at Kozjak. The castle remained in their possession until 1599, when the family moved to Carinthia. The Sauers also inherited the Kozjaks' arms and joined them with their own. The arms appeared for the first time on the seal of Herman Kozjak, in 1341. But the family of Radmannsdorf (Radovljica) adopted them as well, because one of their family members named Laslo was married with Apolonia, daughter of Louis Kozjak († 1512). The crest in the Kozjak arms did not originate from family roots, but was inherited from the family of Strassberg, who dwelled in a castle near Krmelj.
Castle Kamen (Stein)
Dr. Jožko Šavli
At one time the road led to the village of Begunje situated in the idyllic Draga valley, which leads to the Karavanke mountain chain, an important route from Carniola to Carinthia. Therefore, the Counts of Ortenburg from Carinthia, the owners of the land, built on an elevated strategic post at the entrance of the valley a powerful fortification, Castle Kamen (Stein, in German). In the records it is mentioned for the first time in 1263.
In 1418 the Counts of Ortenburg died out and their properties were inherited by the Counts of Cilli. When in 1436 Emperor Sigmund of Luxembourg elevated them to Princes of the Empire, a war broke out between the Cillis and the Habsburgs, who did not want to acknowledge their princely title. The Bohemian General Vitovec was in command of the Cilli army. In people's fairy tales he is preserved as Pegam (i.e. Bohemian). The tradition is associated with Castle Kamen. Pegam's opponent was Lambergar (Lamberg), who fought on the side of the Habsburgs.
However, Castle Kamen was not administered directly by the Ortenburgs and Cillis, but by a family of knights named Stein. The arms of this family were: barry of 6, Azure and Or. A member of this family, Diepold of Stein, was mentioned in the records already in 1311. On a tournament in Kranj, he fought with a knight named Balthazar of Landpreis (Lanšprez), and was victorious over him.
In the 15th century, Castle Kamen was owned by the Seebachers (1442), then it passed on to the Kraigh (Crivic) family, and in 1469 to the Lambergs. Today the castle is under renovation. In the idyllic Avsenik waltz "Tam, kjer murke cveto" (There, where the "murke" blossom) it is remembered with great nostalgia.
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| Castle Podsreda (Hörberg) |
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Castle Podsreda (Hörberg) in the proximity of the Croation border. In the picture we see the arms of Tattenbach (left), the arms of Apfaltern and Barbo (right), i.e., the families who possessed the castle for a certain period. |
Dr. Jožko Šavli
Castle Podsreda (Hörberg) is located close to the borough of Podsreda in eastern Slovenia, in the area of Kozjansko, not far from the Croatian border. The castle's first foundation stone was laid in the 12th century. Its origin is but older, probably it was first a refuge tower, like other forts of those times. Its German name Hörberg or Herberch meaning "lodging, shelter" (today Herberge) bears witness of its first purpose. The tower served as a shelter in case of attacks from Croatia, or more precisely said, invasions coming from its Slavonian Province, which was part of the Hungarian kingdom.
In the 10th - 11th century, the territory, where the castle was built, pertained to the Savinja (Soune) March, whose margraves were the Counts of Friesach (Breze) in Carinthia. Count William I of Friesach was married to Countess Emma of Krka (Gurk). He died ca. 1015, and around 1035 the couples' two sons were killed too. Countess Emma, his widow, was heiress of big estates and she used her properties to found new parishes and abbeys.
In memory of her charitable deeds she was venerated with great honour, and she was declared blessed in 1286. In 1938 she was canonised as a Saint and today she is known as St. Emma. On top of a hill (349 m), not far from the castle, a church was dedicated to this Saint. And the legend that she was born at the nearby castle of Pilštanj has been preserved until today.
The Benedictine abbey founded by her in Krka (Gurk) in Carinthia, her last dwelling place before she died in 1045, was demolished in 1072. On its place was erected a bishopric, and all estates in the area of Kozjansko belonged to it, including the castle of Podsreda, mentioned in the records for the first time in 1213, became in this way the fief of the bishopric. However, at the time of its first mentioning, it was already in possession of the nobleman Ortolf of Planina (Montpreis) over Sevnica town. Later, it came into the hands of the seigniors of Zovnek, the then Counts of Cilli (Celje). In 1617, Count Sigmund of Tattenbach purchased the property. In 1701, Countess Eleonora E. Barbo inherited the castle and passed it on to her daughter Mary Apfaltern. Later in 1787 it changed hands again and its new owner was Baron Lazarini. Around 1848, Prince Weriand of Windischgrätz purchased the castle. His heirs adapted the castle and it remained in possession of this family until the end of the WW2. Under the Communist regime the castle started to fall into ruins. Since 1983, it has been renovated and became the home of an interesting museum.
Castle Rajhenburg
Slovenia's first medieval castle mentioned in the records
Dr. Jožko Šavli
Rajhenburg (Reichenburg) is a small town on the Sava River in eastern Slovenia (Lower Styria). After WW2 its German sounding name was erased from the map, and it has been called Brestanica ever since. Above the town, on top of a hill a castle is proudly overlooking its surroundings. It entered the records for the first time in 895, when Arnulf of Carantania, King of the Eastern Franks, allotted three "royal hides" (of land) near the castle Rîchenburch(Reichenburg, Rajhenburg) to his vassal Waltuni. The noble Waltuni was a predecessor of St. Emma, the well-known Carantanian Countess.
The original German name Rîchenburch contains the word rîch meaning "king" in the Medieval German language. Thus, the castle was at first a royal possession, before it changed hands and became the property of Waltuni and his successors at an unknown point in time. However, evidence provides us with the fact, that later on it formed part of the properties belonging to St. Emma. When she died in 1045, most of her lands and castles passed on to the Archbishop of Salzburg, including the Rajhenburg Castle.
The castle was not under the direct administration of Salzburg, but rather in care of its trustees, within the range of their ministerials or knights. In 1147, a certain Otto de Richenbvrc is mentioned in the records as the administrator of the Rajhenburg Castle - the beginner of a family that administrated the castle for some centuries. The last member of the house was Hans Reinprecht († after 1570). Then, the castle was taken over by the Welzers. They inherited also the Rajhenburg's coat of arms - Argent, a Wolf azure - which was later also born as an escutcheon (fess point) in the coat of arms of the Ecks family.
In the following centuries, the castle came into possession of other families, among them were the famous Gall von Gallenstein of Carniola. In 1884, it was taken over by the Trappist monks, who adapted it to an important religious and cultural centre. During the WW2, when the Nazi occupied Lower Styria, they changed it into a temporal camp (Lager) for Slovenian expellees from Styria, who were destined to be transported to Croatia and Serbia. Altogether approximately 45,000 persons in exile passed through the camp.
After WW2, the Yugoslav Communist regime in Slovenia refused to return the castle to the Trappist monks. It was abandoned and left to decay, when in 1968 the Museum of Slovenian Expellees made it to their headquarters. In this way the historical castle has a chance to be preserved.
Castle Jama
A Picturesque and Legendary Fort near Postojna (Slovenia)
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Present-day Castle Jama (Predjama) near Postojna, Slovenia. In the picture wee see two coat of arms. The first is that of the Burgraves of Lienz, the second of the Cobenzls. On the right, from top to bottom are in turn the arms of the owners of Castle Jama : the family arms of the Logars, the second arms of the Cobenzls, the family arms of the Coronini, and the family arms of the Windischgrätz. |
Dr. Jožko Šavli
Seen from a scenic point of view, Jama Castle, situated in the proximity of Postojna, is certainly the most picturesque castle in all Slovenia. It owes its name to the cave, which gapes into a great cliff. The Slovenian word "jama" (pronounce: yama) means exactly that: "a cave". Thus, the name Grad Jama denotes "a castle in a cave."
The castle pertained first to the Patriarch of Aquileia (Oglej, in Slovenian). In historical records, the Latin name "de foramine in Laforam" mentions it for the first time. Then it changed ownership and came under Patriarch Berthold (1218 - 1215), a member of the famous Andechs family, the Margraves of Carniola. In any case, the castle is much older than the records indicate. It was also a seat of seigniory that extended to the slopes of Mt. Nanos with his highest peak called Suhi vrh (1313 m).
The castle was given in fief to several vassals. Around 1300, the records talk about a certain Bertholdus de Foramine. Afterwards, in the same century, the castle has been recorded as "castrum Laforam in carsis positium" (i.e., the castle Jama at the Karst).
In 1378, the castle was bought by the Habsburg Leopoldinian line, the lineage of Inner Austria (Carantania), who gave it in fief to vassals. This way, it came into the hands of a certain Conrad "burgravio di Jama" in 1397. He was a member of the Logar family (also Luogar, and Lueger, in German charters), who were attested as vassals of the Counts of Goerz (Gorica, Gorizia) already in 1202. His relative Erasmus, probably his son, appears as Burgrave of Lienz, in the upper Drava Valley (formerly in Carantania/Carinthia, today in eastern Tyrol).
Apart from their family arms, the Logars bore also the arms of the Burgraves of Lienz, which were as follows: Quarterly, 1st and 4th Gules, 2nd and 3th Bendy of seven, Argent and Sable. (Cf. the image of these arms has been placed into the enclosed picture of the castle). The 2nd and 3rd field of these arms depict in fact the banner of the western headquarter of the Carantanian army, i. e., three black (sable) bends on white (argent) field. These bends, although in red, appear also in the arms of the Counts of Goerz, original Lords of Lienz.
During the 15th century, the Logars continued to hold in fief the castle of Jama and the pertaining seigniory. Undoubtedly, the most important member of the family was Nicolas Logar (Nicolaus de Foramine, alias Luogar), who in 1453 appears as captain of Devin and Trieste. But he was a very rigorous man causing a lot of plaints, so that Emperor Frederic III had no choice but to depose of him.
In 1478, his son Erasmus Logar, probably after the father's death, was enfeoffed with the Jama Castle. He evidently incorporated the spirit of a great knight and hero, because he entered in a legend, which was based on truthful events. Valvasor, the Carniolan historian (1689), registered the legend, which goes as follows:
Erasmus' very best friend was the militant knight Andreas Baumkirchner from Vipava. He was quite a hero, but he started a rebellion against the Emperor Frederic III, who was negligent in keeping his promises. In order to make peace, the Emperor invited him to Graz, and guaranteed him a free return. However, they arrested Baumkirchner and decapitated him. It was in 1471. - One time, at the Emperor's court in Vienna, a Marshall, Pappenheim by name, offended Baumkirchner's reputation. To clear the dead friends name, Erasmus challenged him in duel and killed him in combat. That made the Emperor furious and he had Erasmus arrested and condemned him to death. However, he succeeded to escape prison, and found refuge in his unconquerable fort of Jama.
In those days, the Jama Castle was far away from all traffic roads. Erasmus became a robber baron, attacking from his hidden fort caravans of merchants , who transported freights from Trieste to Vienna. The Emperor ordered Raubar, the captain of Trieste, to find and to arrest the robber baron Erasmus. But Raubar could not locate him. One day in winter, when Erasmus challenged the captain in front of Mali grad (Small castle), that guarded the well known merchant road near Planina, Erasmus' dwelling in Jama Castle was discovered through traces he left behind in the snow. Now the siege of Jama Castle began and lasted for months without any success in sight, because Erasmus provided food for himself and his men through a secret exit, which led through the caves to the other side of the hill. He even scoffed at his besieger, and in his derision, he threw pieces of food to them. It is said, that at one time he lowered a roasted ox from the castle and also fresh cherries that he received from the nearby temperate Vipava valley.
Captain Raubar was ready to depart, when Erasmus' servant came down to negotiate, but instead was led to corruption. "With gold loaded donkey scales the highest walls," laconically says the historian Valvasor. Indeed, in the evening the servant pointed with a lantern to the window of the chamber, in which Erasmus slept. Captain Rauber let fire a round into the window and killed Erasmus.
In the following years the Jama Castle was administrated by the female descendants of Erasmus, and thereafter it was given in fief to several families. In 1567, Archduke Carl, the ruler of Inner Austria, bestowed the well-known John Cobenzl from Prosek (Prosecco, near Trieste) with the castle, who was a son of Erasmus' daughter married to Christopher Cobenzl. However, the castle was in a pretty bad shape, so that the new master had built a New Castle in front of the cave. Since that time, the name Predjama (before-cave) became quite familiar. The castle and the pertaining seigniory remained in possession of the Cobenzl family for around 250 years. In the first half of the 19th century, the last member of this family, John Philip Cobenzl, bequeathed it in his will to his relative, Count Michael Coronini from Goerz, who passed it on to his consort Sophia.
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| In 1846, Sophia sold the Jama Castle and all properties belonging to it, among them also the beautiful manor-house Hošperk (Haasberg) near Planina, to Prince Weriand of Windischgrätz. In the hands of this famous family, the properties remained until 1945, when the territory was taken over by Yugoslavia and confiscated by its communist regime. |
Dr. Jožko Šavli
The castle Hrastovec - in the documents more known by its German name Gutenhag - is to be found in the area of Slovenske gorice (Wind. Büheln), in the community of Št. Lenart, east of Maribor. It is mentioned in the records for the first time already in 1265. The castle was the dwelling of the noble family Hag or Gutenhag. The name is a German translation of the Slovenian Hrastovec. Ann, the daughter and heiress of Guntenhag, married in 1379 the noble Heinzl Herberstein. It seems, however, that the castle and the properties did not pass to the well-known family of Herberstein but remained within the family, which continued through her lineage. So, in 1409 Ernest the Iron, Archduke of Inner Austria (Carantania), bestowed Ann's son with the ancient arms of Hrastovec (Gules, a horse collar Or). However, her son had no successors and this way the usage of the arms fell into oblivion. The seigniory of Hrastovec came then into possession of the Holeneck family. In 1481 the Herbersteins obtained the castle and added to their coat of arms that of the Gutenhag family.
Castle Borl
Dr. Jožko Šavli
This castle is sitting on a rock formation with a panoramic view above the Drava River, east of Ptuj (Pettau), and is one of the most beautiful castles in Slovenia. At first, it pertained to the Treun family, who dwelled in a castle cut into a hill near the outfall of the Dravinja River (Drann or Treun, in German) flowing into the Drava. Later, the family moved to Borl (or Ankenstein, in German writing), and the name of their new home seemed to be prevailing over their family name, because people started to call them Ankenstein. The former castle of the Treuns fell into ruins. In 1294, the nobles of Ptuj bought from Bertold Ankenstein the family properties including the castle Borl, and they gained also the coat of arms (Gules, an inverted anchor Argent). Since then, the nobles of Ptuj bore the Ankenstein arms, and abandoned their first family shield.
Castle Sneznik
Dr. Jožko Šavli
Castle Sneznik (in the records also described as Schloss Schneeberg - in German) is situated not far from the medieval town of Loz (Laas) in the south-western part of Slovenia. A particular charm is resting upon the castle, which it owes to its surrounding untouched romantic landscape - nowadays converted and used as a park. The original mediaeval fortification from the 15th century had disappeared, and the new castle was erected instead on the same place. The ground behind the castle rises slowly to the mountain Sneznik (1796 m), whose snowy peak lifts far above the large stretched forests.
The castle is mentioned in the historical records for the first time in 1286, and was built by the Counts of Ortenburg, the well-known family of Carinthia. However, they left the administration of the castle in the hands of their knights (ministerial). One of those particular dwellers was the Schneeberg family, whose name appeared already in 1321. When in 1462 the Emperor Frederic III was beleaguered by his brother Albert in Wiener Neustadt, Nicolas Schneeberg was among those, who came to the rescue of the menaced ruler.
The coat of arms of the Schneebergs' signifies their name: Argent, a snowball Azure. A lineage of the family dwelt at the castle in Loz (Laas), and consequently was called Laas-Schneeberg, bearing the following arms: Argent, a left top corner Azure. (Compare the arms at the above picture of the castle).
At the end of the 15th century the Lambergs obtained possession of the castle, and a sub-lineage called Lamberg-Schneeberg came into existence for a certain time. Then the castle passed ownership to the Pranks, the Raumschüssels, the Eggenbergs, the Auerspergs and the Schönbergs. Today it is a museum and it also serves its purpose for representative functions.
Castle Kostel
An Ancient Strategic Post
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On the picture we see the castle Kostel which is now under renovation. On the right side are both arms of the family Hohenwart. The family arms and the arms of the office of hereditary cup bearers of Carniola, that the Hohenwarts possessed. On the left are the arms of Langenmantl. |
Dr. Jožko Šavli
This castle sits on a hill above the Kolpa River, south of Kocevje (Gottschee), at the boundary between Slovenia and Croatia. Nestled at the foot of the castle lies the village of that very same name, Kostel. The name has its origin in the word "castle", and both, the fortification and the village share the same root. Thus, it testifies the ancient origin of this fortified place, which must have existed already in pre-historic times. In Slovenian language, the general meaning of the word "kostel" is no longer in preservation. The nomenclature has only an entry for Kostanjevica, but the meaning of the word refers erroneously to "kostanj" (chestnut-tree). Until now this locality has not been investigated by archaeologists.
In historical records the castle Kostel was mentioned for the first time in 1336. It was built by the Counts of Ortenburg, who originated from Carinthia, and were the lords of the Kocevje area. The male line of the family died out in 1418, and their successors were the Counts of Celje (Cilli). However, also this family became extinct in 1456, subsequently the castle together with the lands passed over to the Habsburgs.
Then the castle was given in guardianship to several nobles. At the end of the 15th century it came under the administration of the Hohenwarts, an important family from Carniola. At that time, the castle was enlarged and it became one of the most important fortifications against the incursions of the Turks, not only for Carniola, but for all of Slovenia. Therefore, it was rebuilt, and once it reached its new expansion, it took second place among all castles, and ranked immediately after that of Celje.
Regretfully, in 1578 the garrison accepted newcomers, who spoke Croatian - Serbian and who claimed to be fugitives from the Turks. But at night the "brethren" opened the door to the Turks, who devastated the fortified village and the castle, they slaughtered in great numbers the inhabitants of the surrounding area. Then, the depopulated area was settled by numerous uskoki (South Slav fugitives from the Turks).
In 1809, when Napoleon's troops occupied Carniola, the inhabitants of Kostel revolted against them. At first they were victorious, but soon the French soldiers returned, they took revenge against the rebels and set ablaze Kostel and its castle. In 1813, Baron Lusar, the village's administrator, erected an imposing edifice as the centre of administration in the village, which existed until WW2. During the war, Partisans set it ablaze under the pretext, that it could serve as a shelter for Italian occupation forces. In Yugoslavia after the WW2, Kostel sank into oblivion and was nearly abandoned. However, some years after Slovenia's independence, a new community was founded and the reconstruction of the castle begun too.
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| Castle Bogenšprk (Wagensberg) |
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Bogenšperk - Wagensberg in the present-day renewed face. On the left we see the arms of Wagen and of Lichtenberg, on the right those of Petschacher and of Pausach. |
Dr. Jožko Šavli
The castle's original name is Wagensberg in German language, which was converted to Bogenšperk in Slovenian. The castle is to be met in the proximity of Šmartno, near Litija, east of Ljubljana. It was the dwelling-place of the Wagen family who appears in the records for the first time in 1462 (their coat of arms: Gules, three sickles with golden handles). In the following century the Wagens inherited large parcels of land and establishments from the Lichtenbergs, who dwelt in the neighbouring castle. They inherited also the Lichtenbergs' coat of arms (Gules, a rising eagle on a mount Vert). Balthasar Wagen acquired the arms through marriage with Veronica Lichtenberg, daughter of Francis († 1541), the last member of the family. Both arms were associated in one shield.
Hans Wagen was married to Helen, daughter of Felician Petschacher († 1537), from the castle Gutenstein in Lower Austria. In this way, the Wagens inherited also properties from the Petschachers, and in 1593 they joined the arms of the Petschachers (Argent, a jumping half horse Gules) with those of the Wagens into one shield. The last family owner of castle Wagen was Georg Wagen. He bequeathed the castle to the Augustinian Order, who provided him with a suitable place to retire in their monastery, were he could enjoy his last days in peace. In 1672 the castle was sold to the Valvasor family.
The arms of Hans (John) Sigmund Wagen, Baron and Marshal of Carinthia, 1619 (from Wappenbuch C des Kärntner Landesarchivs 1980)
One lineage of the Wagens, who settled in Styria and bore the name Wagensberg, continued to flourish. They received the titles Baron in 1602 and Count in 1625. John Sigmund Wagen or Wagensberg was the confidant of the ruler, and was promoted in 1619 to hereditary Marshal of Carinthia. There, in 1629 he was bestowed with the seigniories of Wernberg (Vernberk) and Aichelberg (Domacale). In addition, his line inherited the arms of the Pausach family (Gules, a handle of a dog lead Or).
Castle of Mirna
the Legacy of St. Emma
Dr. Jožko Šavli
The Castle of Mirna rises on a hill near the ancient borough with the same name - Mirna (Neudeck, in German), not far from Trebnje, approximately 70-km south-east of Ljubljana, in Lower Carniola. Its first owner was St. Emma of Krka (Gurk) in Carinthia († 1045), making the castle the centre of her properties in Carniola. Her enormous patrimony, that she and her husband William inherited, was to a great extent donated by her to the church with the intent to build new parishes and two abbeys, the one of Krka/Gurk in Carinthia and the other one of Admont in Styria.
It is very probable, that St. Emma founded also the parish of Št. Rupert, not far from Mirna. In sense of the Slovenian law called institutio Sclavenica, she had the legal right to dispose lands at her own discretion. This law granted a woman, in distinction to the German leges, the same right as to a man, i.e., she possessed legal capacity and capacity of action.
St. Emma's clan included ancestors that originated from very important families possessing Carantanian lands during the Middle Ages: The Counts of Plain, of Treffen (Trebenj), of Puchs, of Šumperk (Schönberg), of Višnja gora (Weichselberg), of Vovbre (Heunburg) and others. However, there are very few records available and it is difficult to research relationships, because succession runs in the male and in the female line.
The seigniories of Mirna (Neudeck) are mentioned in the records for the first time in 1163 starting with Mainhard I, followed by Wulfing in 1220, Popo in 1226, During in 1231, and others. Their arms depict the following image: Sable, a lindworm Argent.
The Mirna family obtained the castle in fief from the Patriarch of Aquileia. In 1335, the castle became property of the seigniories of Zovnek (Saneck), the later Counts of Cilli. With the extinction of the lineage it came into possession of the Habsburgs.
Since the 15th century the castle of Mirna had several important owners, that were members of the state in Carniola: Coraduzzi, Turjaški (Auersperg), Erdödy and others. The Coraduzzi removed the castle complex with the external arcades. In this form the castle was preserved until 1942, when partisans set it ablaze under the pretext, that the occupation forces might use it as a fortress.
After WW2, some renovations were undertaken, but they did not start before 1962. In Communist Yugoslavia castles were seen as a testate of the "unfree" feudal period. But it could have been pure envy on Belgrade's part, because Serbia does not have castles. Thus, even after WW2 some Slovenian castles were destroyed.
Today, the soul of the renewed Castle of Mirna is Dr. Marko Marin. He is the head of a non-profitable organization striving to promote the renewal of this castle, which is St. Emma's legacy and, at the same time, a very monument of medieval architecture in Slovenia. - Dr. Marko Marin, Pot na Laze 7, 8233 Mirna - tel. 086/07/30-44-70-92.
As far as St. Emma is concerned, she was held "blessed" for centuries. Many attempts were made to declare her as "saint". At the end of the 15th century even Emperor Frederick III was eager to canonize her. But the incursion of German lansquenets, who devastated and plundered Rome, interrupted the procedure. Finally in 1938, she was declared "saint" in the presence of all bishops of Austria and Slovenia. For this event, Sister Elisabeth Kramžar, an Ursulin nun and a wonderful Slovenian spiritual poetess, wrote an ode, 83 typed pages long, called Sv. Hema, korotanski biser (St. Emma, a Carantanian pearl). In her mysticism, Sister Elisabeth had a vision how important this saintly female figure was in serving as a shining example in the spiritual life of Slovenians.
The above-mentioned association, doing the renovations of the castle, named their project "Speca lepotica" (Dreaming Beauty). It is a poetical name, which not only revives the beauty of the castle's architecture, but also the everlasting spiritual tradition of St. Emma.
