Pazin Castle
| Pazin Castle | |
|---|---|
| Pazin, Istria County, Croatia |
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Round tower of the Pazin Castle
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| Coordinates | 45°08′33″N 13°33′40″E / 45.1425°N 13.5612°E |
| Type | Rock castle |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Meinhard I, Count of Gorizia (d. 1142), Meinhard, Margrave of Istria (d. 1193) and his successors, House of Habsburg (from 1374), Antonio Laderchi of Montecuccoli and his successors (1766-1945) |
| Open to the public |
Town Museum |
| Condition | preserved |
| Site history | |
| Built | 10th century (?) |
| Built by | (unknown) |
| Materials | hewn stone (ashlar) |
The Pazin Castle (Croatian: Kaštel Pazin Italian: Castello di Pisino) is a medieval fortification built on a solid rock situated in the middle of the town of Pazin, the administrative seat of Istria County, Croatia. It is the largest and best-preserved castle in that westernmost Croatian county.
It overlooks the deep gorge of the Pazinčica Foiba river, a small karst subterranean river that disappears there through sinkhole and continues underground.
The fortified structure was constructed of hewn stone, and, during its 11-century-long history, subjected to several major reconstructions and renovations. Today it is in good condition and houses the Pazin Town Museum.
The Pazin Castle was first mentioned as Castrum Pisinum on 7 June 983 in a document issued by Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor, confirming the possession of the castle to bishop of Poreč. In the 12th century the bishops of Poreč ceded it to Meinhard of Schwarzenburg, owner of Črnigrad Castle (German: Schwarzenburg), then to Meinhard I, Count of Gorizia, and finally to Meinhard, Margrave of Istria (d. 1193) and his successors.
In 1374 Albert IV, Margrave of Gorizia, died without successors and the castle was inherited by the members of the House of Habsburg. They rented or mortgaged it many times during the next few centuries to various noblemen closely related to them, among which were members of families Auersperg, Barbo, Della Torre, Devinski, Durr (Dürrer), Eggenberg, Flangini, Fugger, Khevenhüller, Mosconi, Swetkowitz, Turinetti de Prie and Walsee.
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