Štanjel castle

The castle is located in the village of the same name in the municipality of Komen, 15 km from Sežana. Its beginnings date back to before the 11th century, but it did not get its walls before the 15th century, when they were built for protection against the invading Turks. Its last owners – the Counts of Cobenzel - gave the castle its almost final image. It was only architect Max Fabiani and his friend Enrico Ferrari who later also left their mark on the castle and designed its beautiful garden and rearranged the courtyard to some extent.

 

 

 

Devin castle

The Castle (or castles) of Duino were built on a karst ridge descending steeply into the sea. The fortress at the top of a rock gives the castle a very special charm - the view from here extends far beyond the Gulf of Trieste. Another reason for its position was protection against the incursions of the Turks and clashes with the Venetians. We can see the result of these attacks in the form of the ruins of the old castle, located right next to the new one. All that has remained, though, are its watchtower and arcades.

 

 

Socerb castle

The position of the Socerb Castle on a cliff high above the valley and the Gulf of Trieste protected it against the invasions of the Turks, and later also against the conflicts between the Venetians and the Habsburgs. Because of its location it had a very important strategic role in several battles up to the Second World War.

 

 

 

Kromberk castle

What is now known as the Kromberg Castle was built in the 17th century to replace the older castle of Henry Dornberk. The period of its construction gave it a typical Renaissance form with a square floor plan and corner towers with a garden at the front, adorned with a baroque fountain.

 

 

 

 

Miramare castle

The name Miramare derives from the Spanish words "mira mare” meaning a sea view, which this castle definitely offers in abundance. It was built in the 19th century as the residence of Maximilian of Habsburg. The castle is, of course, surrounded by a wall adorned with the coats of arms of countless families of counts. The castle is surrounded by 22 acres of footpaths, gardens, statues and fountains, where you can find an astoundingly large number of exotic plants.

 

 

Snežnik castle

On the south-western outskirts of the vast woodland of Snežnik stands a Renaissance castle of the same name. It was built in the 13th century, on the foundations of a former Roman fortress next to an important ancient route linking Istria and the Loka Valley.

 

 

 

Predjama castle

Only 10 km from Postojna Cave (LINK) stands the mighty Predjama Castle, the symbol of defiance and refuge of the bold, rebellious and headstrong knight Erazem Predjamski.