Kršan castle

The medieval castle Kršan was the first time mentioned in 1274.

In the 15th century it belonged to the noble family of Kerstlein de Pisino. The last owner was the nobleman Giovanni Tonetti from Plomin, known as “The red count”.

In the Mausoleum on the cemetery of Plomin are the tombs of the family Tonetti.

 

Place : Kršan

Castle – church St. Juraj – Nova Vas

On a rocky hill near the mouth of the Mirna are the ruins of the castle St. Juraj from the Middle Ages. Presumably is this place also of prehistoric significance. There is still a wall of 40 meters long, 5-6 meters high and about 1 meter thick.

The church with the same name was built in the 12th century.

Name castle/ church: St Juraj

Place: Nova Vas – Bertonigla

Črni Kal

The castle Črni Kal was mentioned in the 11th century  and called “Town” or “Old Town” and stands on a 30 meter high cliff and could be reached by a 4 meter long drawbridge. The fortress is situated on the main road through Rižana valley  towards Klanec, between the Adriatic coast and the interior, on the border between the Venetians  and Habsburg interests. It was a resting place for trader  man and travellers.

Place: Črni Kal – (Koper)

Dvigrad

Dvigrad is located in the Lim Bay.

In the first half of the 17th century Dvigrad is destroyed by Uskoci (war between Austria and Venice) and only a few decades later by plaque, so that life in Dvigrad completely died.

In the Roman period the settlement  was named “Duo Castra like Dvigrad now. Built in the 6th century and restricted in the beginning of the 17th century when Dvigrad was the border between Poreč and Pula.

In the Middle  ages were two castles on two opposite hills, named Parentino and Montecastello. Parentino was destroyed in the 14th century and today we can see the the ruins of Montecastello.

On the top of the rock is the church of St. Sophia from the 11th century. Built on the place of an older church from the 7th century. The ruins we see to day date back into the 13th century.

In the neighbour  of the ruins od Dvigrad is located the cemetary church St. Mary of Lakuc

 

Place: Dvigrad – (Kanfanar)

Walderstein’s castle Paz

This castle is located in the valley of the river Rasa to defend the border of the County of Pazin. Built in 1300 by Frederica Eberstein and in the 15th century became the family Walderstein the ownership. It is rebuilt in 1570 by Messaldo Barbo and in 1695 sold to Prince Auersperg. During  the 18th century the castle of Paz lost its strategic importance.

Name: Walderstein’s castle

Place: Paz

Built: 1300

Socerb Castle

The Socerb Castle is among the most important examples of fortified architecture on the Karst edge. Due to its excellent strategic location this castle was already an important stronghold in Illyrian times. In the Middle Ages it became  a mighty  and well fortification castle controlling the commercial route between Camiola and the coast. From the early Middle Ages  to 1730 was the castle made a cause of fights between the Venetians, Triest and the Habsburg Monarchy. It got many owners, and during the national liberation war , the castle’s excellent strategic position  make it important for both the partisans, and the people court, as well as for German units who occupied it in autumn of 1944, making a fortified stronghold. Now it is an cultural destination with food service.

Name: Socerb castle

PLace: Socerb – (Koper)

Gradin

This castle was inaccessible from the three sides, whereas a wall and two towers protected the forth side. The first tower controlled the entrance  and the other was a storehouse. Formerly it was a part of the defensive complex on the border  between Venice and the Habsburg monarchy. Owners were Emperor Conrad II, the Aquileian  patriarchs, the Bishop of Novigrad. In the 13th century a nobel family from Momjan and in 1420 the Venetian Republic.an

Name: Gradin

Hrastovlje

The church of the Holy Spirit with beautiful frescoes is situated above the settlement  on a craggy elevated plateau, what served as a natural shelter for the local population.  A wooden bulwark protected the church.  For better protection is later on the church protected with a stone bulwark and two watch towers.

Name: Holy Trinity

Place: Hrastovlje – (Koper)

Podpeč

Defensive tower  from the 11th century. Built by Ulrich Weimar. The tower is 17 meters high and built over a cave-castle , and with walls with a fat 1,5 meters. The tower was a part of the defensive fortresses between Austria and the Venetian Republic.

Name: Podpeč – Koper)