To Vipava inhabitants and to all other visitors Stari grad (Old castle) introduces a pleasant excursion point, due to a beautiful view over the whole upper Vipava valley. From Vipava to the castle is about a half hour walk. Just above Vipava are on a steep hill picturesque ruins of the castle. On the slope grows several specimens of Mediterranean evergreen oak or holm oak. The largest one has a diameter of 55 centimetres.
THE CASTLE
Castle Vipava lies on a small hill Stari grad above the city of Vipava. Castle began to fall apart in 17th century, when its last owners left it. The ruins of a Romanesque castle with thick walls are showing the rectangular shape of the castle with two living areas and a mighty defensive tower. The castle was surrounded by walls.
HISTORY
The castle was probably built in 12the century and was for the first time mentioned in year 1275 as Gornji Vipava castle (Upper Vipava castle). It was owned by the patriarch of Aquileia. As a sovereign princely feud it had often changed the owners.
In year 1344 it came under the property of Habsburgs, in year 1487 to a noble family Herberstein. For a short period of time in first half of the 16th century it was conquered by Venetians, but Habsburgs soon defeated them. After year 1577 it became the property of Lanthieri family, probably they left it in 17th century when it started to deteriorate.
Already in prehistory, at this point, stood a settlement, around year 1100 was re-settled by Bogenian counts, who shared the possession with patriarchs of Aquileia. Probably it was at that time, they built the northern part of the castle, Roman “bergfrid”. Castle is mentioned in sources for the first time in year 1154, when was as lord named Bogenian ministerial Wulfling dee Wippach as can be read from the Vipava document. In the beginning of 13th century, the possessions of Begenian counts were taken over by relatives counts Andeški; patriarch of Aquileia Bertold Andleški transfered part of the dominions of Vipava on patriarchate in year 1251, part of it was in year 1242 inherited from Begenian counts to Bebengergs and after them Ulrik Spanheim, whose part was in year 1269 transferred into the property of patriarch of Aquileia. He changed the property into gastlandia and was setting up governors who were responsible for economic administration and judiciary. Besides the governor in the castle were also living castellans, who took care of defence of the castle. In year 1320 patriarch granted the castle in a feud to Rajnher Schenk. Between years 1342 and 1343 other vassals of Aquileia sold the castle to Hapsburgs without the patriarchs’ knowledge. In the first half of 15th century they added the walls, which were on northern side concluded semi-circularly and probably served as a defensive ditch. After the Turkish invasion in year 1478, the castle areal was enclosed by Renaissance walls. Emperor Friderick III. granted Vipava the lordship with the castle in a feud to Leonard Baron Herbertein in year 1487. In year 1528, the property came into possession of counts Lanthieri and remained theirs until the end of WWII.
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Vipava
Vipava is a settlement and the center of homonymous municipality, which is in the upper part of Vipava valley, next to numerous springs of river Vipava, which is the only river in Europe with delta spring. Due to the numerous springs the inhabitants built 25 brides. [_Read more_]