Sights of interest near Predjama Castle

Church of Our Lady of Sorrows

The little church dedicated to Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows was commissioned by an ambitious noble house, the Jamski (Lueger) family, the then owners of Predjama Castle. It was built in the first half of the 15th century and was consecrated by the then Bishop of Trieste, Enea Silvio Piccolomini, later to become Pope Pius II.

The sanctuary is roofed by a stellar vault with round and shield-shaped bosses. The ribs are supported by richly moulded consoles. The pointed chancel arch is fluted. The nave was once covered by a flat wooden ceiling. The façade was remodelled in the 17th century, perhaps in 1637, when the Renaissance portal was added. The choir dates from the 19th century. Painted decoration once covered the whole of the interior of the church, but the only frescoes to have survived to the present day are those in the sanctuary and those on the north wall of the nave. The frescoes were painted in around 1450 by an unknown Master from Srednja Vas near Šenčur. The high altar dates from the early 18th century and is reminiscent of earlier gilt altars in its design. Surviving medieval fittings include a wall niche decorated with a sun and moon motif. (source: Notranjska A-Ž)

Erazem's Linden

Erazem's linden stands next to the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows. Legend has it that Erazem is buried beneath the linden, which itself is supposed to have been planted by his grieving sweetheart. Despite its turbulent life (mass tourism and even a number of fires), the ancient linden still stands defiant and proud in the centre of the little village of Predjama.