Predjamski Castle

Predjamski Castle (Predjama Castle) is perched high upon a vertical cliff in south-central Slovenia, in the region of Inner Carniola.  The castle was built in the mouth of a cave and first mentioned by the German name Luegg in 1274.  The fortress was designed in the cave to make access difficult, as the castle was only accessible from one side.  The location also allowed supplies to be moved through the secret passages of the caves, undetected.  Predjamski was built in the Gothic style by the Patriarch of Aquileia and became the seat of the renowned robber baron, Knight Erazem Lueger.  The castle was under siege and destroyed due to the local Robin Hood Lueger’s offenses, which had riled Austria’s king.  Legends claim Lueger was betrayed by a servant and died from a single canon shot while using the vulnerable privy located at the top of the castle.  The second castle was constructed by the Purgstall family in 1511 and was destroyed by an earthquake.  Hans Kobenzi, an Austrian Knight, constructed the third castle in the Renaissance style in 1567.  The castle remained in his family until 1810.  Two more owners followed until the castle was confiscated by the state after WWII.  The Yugoslav Communist authorities nationalized Predjamski Castle in 1945.  It is currently a museum and open to the public.

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