- Old part (Gothic age)
- Newest wing (Romanticism)
- Oldest part (well, duh :) )
Erazem's Cave - Tournament grounds
- Entrance to the stables and the huge cave system behind them
- Outhouse - and Erazem's last stand
(see description under the photo) - Lookout
connected with the castle with a steep tunnel with stairs carved in stone - Battlement
- Extended in Rennaisance
Predjamski
Every castle in the world is unique in some way. No two are the same.
But this one - even though it's rather small and humble compared to some - is unique in more than one way. Probably the only one in the world, really integrated in a cave system - actually the second largest cave system in Slovenia.
It's located 9km from Postojna (where another cave is located - world-famous Postojnska jama - one of the largest in the world).
Its name Predjamski grad literally means Castle in Front of the Cave. And the village in front of it is also named Predjama.
This castle wasn't built in one go. First written records exist from 13th century, though the first part (left wing) was probably built in the first half of 12th century. Middle part was added in renaissance, and the right wing was build around 1570. Some things were added and changed later, but since 1990 renovation work is in progress, restoring it to the original 16th century look.
A medieval knight's tournament is held each summer in front of the castle and it's really worth a visit (though it's quite crowded then - as far as I heard).
Castle changed quite a few owners, but probably the best known was notorious rogue knight Erasmus Lueger, aka Erazem Predjamski. In 15th century, when he lived, only the first part of the castle existed. And it more resembled a robber's den than a castle. Wasn't very large or comfortable - but virtually impregnable.
Erazem was once a guest of Austrian emperor Friederich III. When one of emperor's friends (or relatives, as some sources state) insulted one of Erazem's good friends, Erazem drew the sword and killed him. For this, he was sentenced to death, but managed to escape and made it back to his stronghold.
Then he started attacking caravans, robbing whomever and whenever he seemed fit and generally acting as a major pain in emperor's behind. Therefore Triest's governor Ravbar was ordered to find and kill him.
Legend says that none of Ravbar's men knew where Erazem's stronghold was. So Erazem himself, cheeky as he was, put on a diguise and offered to lead them to it. Be as it may, as they found out the location, they laid the siege to the castle for months. When they froze their bums off in the middle of winter, Erazem mocked them and allegedly even catapulted a roasted ox from the castle and wished them good appetite. (Could be that the Monty Python crew borrowed this legend for their French Taunting sketch - or perhaps it's just a funny coincidence.)
When the next spring arrived, Erazem started to send them freshly picked cherries. Ravbar was thoroughly puzzled by this. There were rumours among his men, that there was a sort of paradise land in the caves behind the castle, that yields all sorts of crop throughout the year...
Little did they know, that there's a passage through the cave, which exits on the other side of the hill. Probably this passage and the elaborate cave system were the main reason why the castle was built there in the first place.
Though Ravbar received these fruity gifts from Erazem, the siege itself proved fruitless - until the summer of 1484, when Ravbar managed to bribe one of Erazem's servants. This servant told him, that though castle's walls can easily withstand cannon fire, the walls of the outhouse (see notes on the photo) are quite another matter. A well aimed cannonball could penetrate its wall and kill whomever is using it at the moment.
So, when Erazem was relieving himself, the servant gave Ravbar's men a signal and they fired at the outhouse. The cannonball passed right through and missed Erazem. But when it hit the back wall, an avalanche of rocks buried Erazem beneath it, ending his rebellion.
(That's the official version anyway. Another source (see here), states that he was killed by "sniper fire" through a window, after the treacherous servant placed the lamp so that it outlined Erasmus' silhouette in the window.)
Legend also says that Erazem is buried under a huge (and really weird looking) lime tree, beside the village church.
---
Best viewed large.
Here is the night view.
And here all my pix of this place.
Oh, and BTW: On May 7th, 2009 Oddee placed this castle third among
"10 Most Fascinating Castles and Palaces" in the world.
They even borrowed the first part of my text above in their
description.
LOL I'm flattered! :-)
(And since they didn't ask for permission, nor quoted the source, I'm
quite grateful they didn't "borrow" my photo as well.)
Comments and faves
lawatha, jacki-dee, Alexandra Kingsley, Yogi Zen Dude, and 575 other people added this photo to their favorites.
pericoterrades (80 months ago | reply)
¿Donde? es un lugar merecedor de esta preciosa foto
Jumpin'Jack (80 months ago | reply)
Gracias.
This is located near Postojna, Slovenia.
I have added some description if you're interested.
Son of Groucho (80 months ago | reply)
Fascinating stuff. Thanks for the extensive notes. Oh yea, the picture's great!
Jumpin'Jack (80 months ago | reply)
Thanks for visiting and reading my lengthy babble SoG :-)
lawatha (80 months ago | reply)
I got a chuckle out of picturing the roasted ox being catapulted through the air.
Interesting bit of history there!
Chrazerer (80 months ago | reply)
When did this location become a Fortification. There are less devolped locations in the Alps with 50,000 years of history. Truly old. A good photo and what a fabluous subject. I have a question about the castle. The round cave well above and to the left of the castle, it looks like a early gun emplacement
Jumpin'Jack (80 months ago | reply)
LaWatha: Yeah, and no matter how delicious it might have been, I wouldn't want to find myself in its trajectory. :-)
BTW: There's more history attached to it of course (the castle, not the ox ;) ), but I just can't squeeze it all here...
Chrazerer: As I wrote above, first fortification was probably built in 12th century. Might be that it was used even before that as a natural fortress.
I don't know about the round hole. Maybe it's connected with Erazem's cave, but the "secret passage" behind the cave was closed for visitors, so I couldn't explore it (and also found no such detailed description on the web).
But there is a sort of natural balcony (see note, marked Lookout) beneath the round hole. There's a steep staircase, through another passage, which connects it with the castle.
Few bowmen placed there, could control the whole valley.
Plus there was a cannon placed at the middle section of the castle. I'll post some pics, showing the view from battlements.
Jumpin'Jack (80 months ago | reply)
Related (in the Power of Positive Relationships group)
~Cecilia~* (80 months ago | reply)
amazing place! (seen on PoPR group)
and thanks for the info... can it be visited?, i mean the inside
By the way, i just realized that you speak spanish.... ¿es cierto?
Jumpin'Jack (80 months ago | reply)
¡Gracias Cecilia!
Pero ciertamente no - yo no hablo Español. :-)
I understand just a few Spanish words and have great problems when I have to make a whole sentence. I learned English and German, but not Spanish. (Sometimes I use Babelfish, but it almost always produces horrible results, that don't sound right even to me, so I avoid making whole sentences at all :) )
About the castle: Yes it can certainly be visited - the shots following this one are from inside it. And some more to come.
jacki-dee (80 months ago | reply)
Love the photo: information too. ((Seen in POP).
This would be fine addition to visit the world-the travel guide.
bmw328driver (80 months ago | reply)
Great photo and interesting history. The outhouse story gives all new meaning to the phrase "[stuff] happens". Keeping the language family-friendly... :-)
--
Seen in "Power of Positive Relationships" (?)
userid_unavailable (80 months ago | reply)
what an amazing looking castle!
Jumpin'Jack (80 months ago | reply)
Thanks people.
Driver: Yeah, it happens - esp. when one is just sitting on the "throne". :-)
Seoirse (80 months ago | reply)
Good post !
--
Seen next to a fellow photo of History : images without words don't document. (?)
Jumpin'Jack (80 months ago | reply)
Thanks
Grzesiek: (80 months ago | reply)
this is a spectacular place. thank you for giving so much information on it. it's there on my wish list of places to see!
Jumpin'Jack (79 months ago | reply)
Thank you Grzesiek. Long time no see! :-)
If you decide to visit, make sure you get there early, and don't miss the Postojna Cave as well.
(Or, if too many people in Postojna put you off, there are lots of other caves in the vicinity - some accessible only with special equipment, some only by boat. Though you can visit most of these only in summer.)
Grzesiek: (79 months ago | reply)
Hi! Yes, I was checking in on flickr less often recently, but I'm enjoying all these photos back again!
Thank you for your hints on the visit!
DaveSinclair (79 months ago | reply)
what a truely amazing place!
Jumpin'Jack (79 months ago | reply)
It is. Perhaps you too should stop by here on one of your trips Dave :-)
Coolnamestaken (79 months ago | reply)
i like the fusion of the structure and the cave, do you have anymore interior shots to post?
Jumpin'Jack (79 months ago | reply)
Well, this entire set is about this castle. Have you seen it?
I have some more shots on the disk, but probably people would get fed up with them if I upload them all...
aMyth! (79 months ago | reply)
wow! beautiful place... would have loved to live in one like that!!
Jumpin'Jack (79 months ago | reply)
Um, yeah. I like it too, but the living conditions inside vary from:
through, um,
interesting,
to somewhat ...
less than pleasant...
Lynn Morag (79 months ago | reply)
Fascinating - love your notes on this. This would be a perfect addition to WorldWalkers
Jumpin'Jack (79 months ago | reply)
Thanks Lynn. I've posted in the group
Indyblue (79 months ago | reply)
Beautiful place, the castle built right into the caves? I hope I can be there one day, seems a lovely place..
Thank you for posting on WorldWalkers
Jumpin'Jack (79 months ago | reply)
Quite strange Isn't it? :-)
Do visit if you can. Like Lynn said above, It's really a fascinating place.
vasi v (78 months ago | reply)
stunning picture, amazing places!
I would like to visit this some day!
Jumpin'Jack (78 months ago | reply)
Thanks Vasi.
If you visit, don't miss the nearby caves as well!
Hans Zitzler (77 months ago | reply)
fantastic picture and great story - wow
Jumpin'Jack (77 months ago | reply)
Thank you Hans
Padawan_1970 (77 months ago | reply)
Great castle.
mandolin davis (77 months ago | reply)
amazing...u are one lucky duck to be so well traveled :)
Jumpin'Jack (77 months ago | reply)
Thank you all!
mandolin davis: I wish (I was well travelled)!
I just happen to live in a small country, which hides a few gems that the rest of the world doesn't know much about... :-)
mellowmark (76 months ago | reply)
Amazing place - I really want to go there one day...... excellent notes and info too! Cheers,
Jumpin'Jack (76 months ago | reply)
Thanks mellowmark :-)
csteelatgburg (76 months ago | reply)
Thank you for sharing these incredible pictures.
Jumpin'Jack (76 months ago | reply)
Glad you like 'em csteelatgburg :-)
Jumpin'Jack (76 months ago | reply)
In the last few days, this photo (and some other in the set) suddenly got thousands of views and lots of favourites.
I appreciate the interest and would like to thank you all for the faves.
Still, I'm quite perplexed what caused such dramatic boost of interest. Would you people care to tell me, where did you find this shot?
Thank you!
mellowmark (76 months ago | reply)
I was just searching on the keyword Slovenia and then sorted by 'most interesting' to find the best pictures. I own a .co.uk domain name with slovenia in the title and I was thinking of adding some content to it to make a website giving info for people in the UK (or anywhere) who want to visit Slovenia. But first I need to visit there and find the good places to write about. :) Or even better if some Slovenians want to write good information about their country, articles about good places to visit (with photos) then I can pay them for these articles.. Let me know if you would be interested or anybody else.....
So thats how I found it - but as for the 7,400 views - maybe Flickr featured it on one of their popular pages or it was in a very poular group or somebody blogged about it? I don't know for sure -sorry!
Jumpin'Jack (76 months ago | reply)
Thanks for explanation mellowmark. I believe it was blogged.
About writing articles: sounds interesting. Can you tell me (in a flickrmail message) some details what kind of article would interest you? Thanks.
chughtai (76 months ago | reply)
cool castle!
via BoingBoing
Philippe Sainte-Laudy (75 months ago | reply)
Really impressive! Faved!
Found at GreatPixGallery50+ Group!
@rno (75 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Castles / Châteaux / Schlösser / Castillos / Castelli, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
incroyable castle in the rock !
Quebec1959 [deleted] (75 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Villages and small towns of the world, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Jumpin'Jack (75 months ago | reply)
Thanks chughtai, Pilou@ttitude, @rno & marielaura!
nick_ayres (75 months ago | reply)
Very interesting and unusual setting.
Jumpin'Jack (75 months ago | reply)
Agree. Thanks for the visit Nick