Castle of the famous “robber baron” (5 photos)

Predjama Castle is one of the oldest and most famous castles in Slovenia. It was here that the cult action movie Armor of God with Jackie Chan was filmed. The castle also has its own legend - or rather, the most true story.





The castle was built at the gaping mouth of a cave in a rock 123 meters high. Located under a natural rocky arch. The rock is the basic load-bearing element of the structure.

The castle was built in the 13th century and is made in the Gothic style. Perhaps this is the most striking and interesting architectural structure of the 13th century.

It was built by a bishop, then it was bought by the knightly family of the Yamskys.

Its most famous inhabitant was Erasmus Yamskoy, nicknamed the “robber baron.”



Erasmus Yamskaya

He lived in the 16th century, led a hectic lifestyle, and was distinguished by his indomitable character. He managed to quarrel with the Holy Roman Emperor, from whom he successfully defended himself in this castle.

Erasmus rebelled against Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III and became a symbol of resistance to Habsburg rule. According to Western tradition, naturally, he was immediately classified as a robber for this.





It all started with a duel with Imperial Marshal Heinrich von Pappenheim. He insulted the memory of his friend Erasmus, for which he was challenged to a duel and was killed by the baron. The marshal was related to the Habsburgs. And Frederick decided to severely punish the baron and sent an army against him. In response, Erasmus began to plunder the Habsburg estates and was very successful in this.



When the imperial troops laid siege to the castle, he was not at all afraid, but bravely fought off the sluggish attacks of a superior enemy. The Imperials were freezing below, and he threw baked meat at them and teased them with alcoholic drinks. Fresh food was supplied to the castle through secret corridors of natural origin. There was a whole network of tunnels in the rock.



Two years of siege yielded nothing. Erasmus with a small garrison successfully repelled all enemy attacks.

But, alas, courage and strength alone are not enough to resist the powerful imperial machine. A traitor was found in Erasmus's camp - he turned out to be one of his closest trusted servants. He handed over Erasmus to the imperials for a good reward. At night, a servant illuminated the building where the rebel baron was located with torches, and the imperials directed the full power of their cannons at him.

Frederick organized powerful celebrations on this occasion. And the captured castle was handed over to the loyal Oberburg family. After this, the castle was modernized and has survived to this day.