Loka Castle, Skofja Loka, Slovenia

In the 12th century on the hills above Škofja Loka stood three fortifications: the Upper Tower on Krancelj, the Lower Fort and the Loka Castle, a residence of Freising Bishops, built at the brink of a natural terrace. The castle is first mentioned in 1202 as castrum firmissimum, although today's building dates from the 16th century. The castle was rebuilt in 1691 after an earthquake and in 1716.

The castle was administered by Loka chiefs, among them Lambergs, Thurms, and Rasps. Since 1890 the castle has been managed by the Ursulines, who pulled down the Romanesque yard tower and transformed it into a school. Since 1959 it has hosted the Loka Museum.

The circular castle dominates above Škofja Loka town and presents the conclusion of the town walls. It can be dated after the earthquake in 1511, although some parts are older, which was confirmed during the renovation works in 2006–2008. The north-eastern tower, the oldest in the structure, is built on an older predecessor from the 10th century. Together with the renovation work the reconstruction of the primary entrance with a wooden drawbridge was also carried out.

References:

culture.si

User Reviews

marko koplan (2 years ago)
The original castle was built by the Freisings of Škofja Loka in 1202. The castle was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake in 1511 and Bishop Filip took on its restoration. In the castle courtyard there once stood an impressive four-cornered tower, the floorplan of which has been restored. Today the castle is home to one of the best-arranged museums in Slovenia, with archeological, historical, cultural, artistic, natural science and ethnological collections. Visitors can also see the excellently-preserved 16th century farmhouse, Škopar's House (Škoparjeva hiša) in the castle garden.

Kaja Šifer (2 years ago)
A must-see when you are in Škofja Loka! Beautiful castle with impeccably kept surroundings and a beautiful view of the old town.

Greg Witt (2 years ago)
Easy walk from the center of Skofja Loka for great views and the town's local history museum.

Richard Ashcroft (2 years ago)
Loka Castle has a picturesque location and is reached by a short walk uphill from the centre. There’s a small garden with views of the castle, town and mountain backdrop. I didn’t enter the museum. A walking route heads uphill for better alpine views.

Brooklyn Expat (3 years ago)
Parts of the castle are being renovated. The museum is really interesting but not enough of the information is in English. Not good if you want tourists to drop 5€ to walk through it.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Honza Soukup

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Angelokastro is a Byzantine castle on the island of Corfu. It is located at the top of the highest peak of the island"s shoreline in the northwest coast near Palaiokastritsa and built on particularly precipitous and rocky terrain. It stands 305 m on a steep cliff above the sea and surveys the City of Corfu and the mountains of mainland Greece to the southeast and a wide area of Corfu toward the northeast and northwest.

Angelokastro is one of the most important fortified complexes of Corfu. It was an acropolis which surveyed the region all the way to the southern Adriatic and presented a formidable strategic vantage point to the occupant of the castle.

Angelokastro formed a defensive triangle with the castles of Gardiki and Kassiopi, which covered Corfu"s defences to the south, northwest and northeast.

The castle never fell, despite frequent sieges and attempts at conquering it through the centuries, and played a decisive role in defending the island against pirate incursions and during three sieges of Corfu by the Ottomans, significantly contributing to their defeat.

During invasions it helped shelter the local peasant population. The villagers also fought against the invaders playing an active role in the defence of the castle.

The exact period of the building of the castle is not known, but it has often been attributed to the reigns of Michael I Komnenos and his son Michael II Komnenos. The first documentary evidence for the fortress dates to 1272, when Giordano di San Felice took possession of it for Charles of Anjou, who had seized Corfu from Manfred, King of Sicily in 1267.

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The governor of the castle (the castellan) was normally appointed by the City council of Corfu and was chosen amongst the noblemen of the island.

Angelokastro is considered one of the most imposing architectural remains in the Ionian Islands.

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