Grad Kamen (or Kamen Castle) was built in the 12th century by the Counts of Ortenburg. From 1436 the Counts of Lambergh owned the castle, but they abandoned the property in the 18th century when they moved to the more comfortable Katzenstein Mansion in the centre of the village. The famous tournament knight Gašper Lambergar lived in the castle – he is featured in a famous Slovenian folk song, ‘Pegam and Lambergar’.
This detour to find ‘Wild Lake’ was stunning beyond words…
This was where I stopped to have lunch… it was sooooooooo peaceful! Magical!
~ Bella
Today’s mission was to go in search of (and find) Idrija…
This fellow below is in honour of the mercury miners that once mined the hillsides in this region…
…and now a slight detour to find ‘Wild Lake’…
In 1580, this became the stud farm to the royal court, which makes it one of the oldest – if not THE oldest – stud farms in the world. If you’ve been following my visits to Vienna and the stud farm in Austria, you will have seen more photos, information etc on the Lipizzaner – but this place is the ‘source’.
During the reign of Maria Theresa of Austria the Slovenian classic horse breed, the Lipizzaner was developed.
No further photos as it is requested not to take photos other than in the open fields.
Being the vino-lover that I am, I just had to go exploring to find the world’s oldest grape vine!
…and this is it! …and yes, it still produces fruit every year.
It has been confirmed at 400 years of age, and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest vine in the world still producing fruit. The vine was planted originally at the end of the Middle Ages during the Turkish invasions.
~ Bella
It was a magical feeling of going back in time, exploring these medieval villages, particularly Vrba, that is still very much rural.
~ Bella
After winding my way up the mountain, I arrived at Bled Castle.
Btw, this rather strange military-looking vehicle is one of those robotic lawn mowers – cute!
Unfortunately, this was one of those buildings where I really need the arm of a wonderful man beside me to be able to explore, but it was beautiful to view from here, nonetheless.
~ Bella
Heading off in search of Sevnica Castle…
Interesting funnels!
Sevnica Castle Sevnica Castle perches on a sweeping hill top above the old town center of Sevnica. On the site of the current castle once stood a castle which was probably built in the first half of the 12th century. The first written reference to the castle was recorded in 1309 as “castellum Liechtenwalde.” Unlike many other castles, Sevnica Castle escaped the destruction caused during the Croatian-Slovenian peasant uprising in 1573.
Moreover, it was probably during this period that the Lutheran Cellar was built on the castle slope and was occasionally visited by Jurij Dalmatin (approx. 1547-1589). Later, the cellar was turned into a tomb intended for some lords of the castle in Sevnica. [Source: castlesofposavje.com]
Unfortunately, the castle was closed the day I was there – but it was still an amazing adventure and view!
~ Bella
Built between the 7th century and 1538, the Walls of Piran are the fortifications that protected the city of Piran.
Decided to head out in search of some sea air… and in the process I zigged when I should have zagged and ended up in Italy (ooops!) – oh, well… managed to find the Slovenian coast eventually…
Now, off to find the Walls of Piran…
~ Bella
