Pazin Castle | |
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Pazin, Istria County, Croatia | |
Coordinates | 45°14′25″N 13°55′50″E / 45.2403°N 13.9306°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, german: Mitterburg) 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. There are two museums to be visited in Pazin's castle, the Ethnographic Museum of Istria and the Pazin Town Museum. [1]