Jablje Castle stands at the foot of Rašica near Loka pri Mengšu, on the edge of the Mengeš Plain. Its location was strategically chosen: it rises on a rocky cliff of karst terrain, beneath which lies a cave with the sinking stream Šumberk. This natural feature allowed the castle to secure its own water supply, as it had a well right in the inner courtyard. Surrounded by the forests of Rašica and open towards the plain, the castle was both a safe refuge and a vantage point, which was of great importance in the Middle Ages.
Jablje Castle (Habach)
The first mentions of the castle date back to 1268, while its present Renaissance appearance was shaped around 1530 by the noble Lamberg family. Later it was owned by the Raspi family, the Mosconi barons, and from 1780 until the end of the Second World War by the Lichtenberg barons. The castle survived the war without major damage, but after 1945 it was nationalized, plundered, and converted into an experimental agricultural center. A thorough restoration between 2000 and 2004 returned the castle to its former splendor.
Architecturally, Jablje Castle is a Renaissance manor with later Baroque additions. It has a rectangular layout with an inner courtyard and four corner towers. The southwest tower is especially famous for the frescoes by Franc Jelovšek, which are considered highlights of Slovenian Baroque painting. Inside, one finds rich stucco work and 18th-century paintings, with rooms functionally arranged around the central courtyard.
Timeline of Jablje Castle
- 1268 – First mention of the castle Habach in written sources.
- c. 1530 – The Lamberg family shapes the castle into a Renaissance manor.
- 1700–1764 – Creation of Franc Jelovšek’s famous frescoes.
- 1780 – The castle passes to the Lichtenberg barons.
- 1895 – Renovation following the Ljubljana earthquake.
- 1945 – Nationalization and subsequent plundering of the interior.
- 2000–2004 – Comprehensive restoration and revitalization.
- 2008 – Serves as a primary protocol venue during Slovenia’s EU presidency.
The Names: Habach and Jablje
In the oldest records, the castle appears as Habach. The root Hab- likely comes from the German word Habe (possession), while the suffix -ach denotes water or a stream. Later, the name was Slovenized to Jablje, referring to the apple trees (jablane) characteristic of the Mengeš Plain. This linguistic adaptation typical of the region connects the site's history with its natural features.
Literature and Sources
- ZRC SAZU: Noble Heritage in Slovenia.
- Official Gazette of RS: Decree declaring Jablje Castle a cultural monument.
- Valvasor, J. V.: The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola (1689).