THE CASTLE AT PREM

The Castle at Prem is an ancient castle in the Notranjska region.It was first mentioned in 1213 and probably belonged to Udo de Prem.
The castle later belonged to the Patriarchs of Aquileia, Counts of Devin (Duino) and Counts Walsee. Each owner contributed to its beauty in some way. And so it grew. However, it was the Habsburgs who owned it for almost four hundred years. In 19th century Count Porcia converted it into a hunting mansion. Then in 1931 it was rebuilt by a Triest merchant Zuccolini.
On the other side of the short ridge there is a church consecrated to Saint Helena. Between the castle and the church a village has grown through the years bearing the same name as the castle. In 1876 the famous Slovenian poet, Dragotin Kette, was born here. The village is protected as a cultural monument.
You can spot the castle at Prem, on the ridge on your right as you make your way from Ljubljana by way of Postojna and take the main road from Pivka towards Ilirska Bistrica. The castle is today a museum where many cultural and traditional festivities take place.

Photo by: Vinko Bandelj

Dragotin Kette