Predjamski grad or Predjama Castle is situated high up in the cliff, accessible from just one side. The castle is several stores high. Complex includes the entrance tower, the defensive wing, the residential wing, and the tower in the background (the tallest part of the building). Different sections of the castle date from different periods and differ in architectural style. Furniture, arms, paintings and other fittings are still preserved and original.
Castle dates from year 1583. The date of its construction is confirmed by the coat-of-arms of its then owners, the Kobenzl family.
But other historical sources prove that the castle existed in the 13th century or probably even earlier.
Predjama castle
It was administered by the Jamski family. After the Jamski family, the castle was taken over by Adam Purgstaller, while from 1567 it was home to before mentioned Kobenzl family, who had it renovated. The last noble owners, from 1846 to 1945, were the counts of Windischgrätz, who were also responsible for changing the castle’s external appearance. Old depictions (particularly from the last 200 years) prove that Predjama Castle was visited and admired by travellers who were not afraid of dangers along the way or of the difficulty of access.
LEGEND ABOUT THE ERAZEM OF THE CAVE:
Erazem Lueger defied the imperial army in Predjama Castle in 15th century. This event passed into legend shortly after his death.
The historical background of the story shows that the knight Erazem got in trouble with the imperial court for two reasons: the murder of a relative of the emperor and because of dealing with the emperor’s Hungarian enemies.
medieval tournament
When he managed to run away to Carniola, he committed a number of unnecessary attacks and murders. As a result of all this, the governor of Trieste, Casper Ravbar, set out to hunt him down. Erazem hid in the castle. Ravbar tried to convince him to surrender. For this reason he ordered siege around the castle for several months (the winter and spring of 1484). During that time he received a number of gifts from Erazem: meat, fish, and even cherries, with which the inhabitants of the castle were supplied through a secret passage. It was only after bribing a messenger that Ravbar was at last able to seal the fate of the rebellious knight.
ERASMUS KNIGHTS' ANNUAL TOURNAMENT
Tournament is based on records and illustrations from the 16th century and other sources that teach us about the period with international participants from Slovenia, Italy, the Czech Republic and Serbia
The Tournament includes several different activities.
every year they prepare medieval games
In the Knights' Camp you can learn about medieval way of life. A peasant festivity, known as a “gauda”, introduces food and drinks of that time. Children have their own special area Behind the Castle Granary with their own games and tournament and creative workshops.
A special feature of the Tournament every year is the Medieval Banquet, which includes dishes prepared using original medieval recipes and served just as they were five hundred years ago.
Tournament happens every year in August.
