Friedrichstein Castle-Kočevje
| Region | Southeast Slovenia Statistical Region |
| Starting point | By the castle road |
| Route length | 400 m (437 yards) |
| route duration | 0,5 h |
| End Point Altitude | 978 m (3,238 feet) |
| Best time to visit | summer, spring, early autumn |
| Appropriate for | Baby Carriers , 1-3 years of age , 3-6 years of age , 6+ years of age |
| Level of difficulty | Moderately demanding route |
Route Description
The highest-located Slovenian Friedrichstein Castle was the site of our only medieval love story between Frederick II, Count of Celje and Veronika of Desenice. Hermann II, Count of Celje had the castle demolished, but Frederick II rebuilt it in 1433. After 1456, the castle belonged to the Counts of Habsburg, who handed it over to the former Celje steward Nikolaj Pyrsch, and then the tenants of the Kočevje lordship (Barons Adelsgeschlecht and Thurn, Celje viceroy Ivan Ungand and Counts Ursini of Blagay) owned it.
In 1618 the Kočevje lordship and the castle were bought by Baron Janez Jakob Khisl, and then in 1641 by Count Wolf Engelbert Auersperg. Rebellious peasants plundered Friedrichstein in 1515 and Baron Jurij Thurn was killed. After 1610, the castle fell apart and only the caretaker and guard lived there. Remains of two palaces, the Renaissance entrance in the outer walls and other buildings are still visible in the castle core.
Interesting Facts
Many legends still circulate about the castle and its ruins. One of them talks about the creation of the castle, which was built simultaneously with the Kozjak Castle by two giants who were brothers. The brothers passed the tools to each other through the air and when thirsty, bent down and drank water from the Temenica River.
The most interesting of all the legends is the one about the castle cellar that apparently hides three tubs full of gold and silver. A black dog who breathes fire, guards the treasure and a giant white snake with a bright crown with an embedded diamond on its head is wrapped around the middle tub. This snake is said to be a cursed queen waiting for a brave young man to save her. This young man must be born on Christmas Eve at midnight, and has to address the serpent in the name of God. Then the curse will be broken and the beautiful queen will marry the person. The legend also says that the saviour supposedly lay as a baby in a cradle made of spruce wood that grows among the castle ruins. However, the spruce has dried up, the castle is still demolished and the queen is still trapped in the snake’s body.
Castle was the site of our only medieval love story between Frederick II, Count of Celje and Veronika of Desenice.
Here you can listen interesting Story about Counts of Celje
Map
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Vita, Olja and Juna Recommend
It is no secret that we have a sweet tooth. We always inquire about the delicious desserts that are typical of certain regions before we embark on a family trip.
You can try the famous dessert the Kočevje little bombs ('Kočevje bombs') at the Mestna kavarna Coffeehouse. Bombastic indeed!
