CASTLE BELAJ

Location

A residential castle Kastel Belaj has been situated in a small hamlet Belaj, 3 km south of the regional road conecting Istria with Rijeka, by the tunnel Ucka, in the north-eastern part of Istria along the Natural park Ucka. Taking into account its purpose, this location has been extremely attractive since a castle has been situated close to the Riviera of Porec and a winter sport resort Platak, namely less than 50 km to reach both of them. The surrounding area , comprising an architecturaly baroque style residential hamlet of Belaj which is perfectly cultivated and thus enjoyes a status of the National culture heritage.

Castle's description

A residential castle is two-storey building with surface area of 28,65 x 21,00 square meter. A baroque mansion dates back to 17 century that had been in possesion of a feudal family Barbo.

A castle was bought in 1668 by Ichann Weichadauersper. Since 1813 was held by the Austro-Hungarian empire and by that time was also renovated for the first time. It is considered as a top quality sample of conservation among the similiar constructions of the same age.

It rests upon a stone construction above which were erected to storey space with interjacent wooden beams. An ancient roof has been covered by tile. Belaj is a construction of regular rectangular forms with inside yard. The main construction material is stone. All the walls are supporting further constructions.

Many architectualy precious details have been thoroughly refurbished, featuring exceptional beauty, as it is St.Henrique chapel in the ground floor, as well as hand made iron cast bars, an olive processing press, etc.

History

Castle Belaj was built in a site of an estate formerly owned by the feudal family Barbo, steming from the beginning of the 17 century. It used to have a glorious past and played a significant role for its region. Considering a type of construction, it can be considered as a transitory style from fortress primarily for defense purposes with evolution to a residential early baroque style castle. Both elements can be tracked even in today' s building. The whole complex is set in the midlle of a wooded parkland  and crossed by two outbuildings, an old barn and a stable, since a year 2,000 has been put under a Government protection, as stupulated by the State cultural heritage authority. In 1999 a castle has become a private property.