Medieval buildings in Slovenia: Mansion Soteska (Ainöd, Ainodt)

Author: Valvasor, Janez Vajkard, 1641-1693

COUNTRY: Slovenia
HISTORICAL REGION: Lower Carniola
MUNICIPALITY: Dolenjske Toplice
SETTLEMENT: Soteska (Gorenje Polje,Oberfeld k.o.)
BUILDING: mansion Soteska (Ainöd, Ainodt)
FORMATION: in 1664-1689 was built by Count Jurij Ziga
PRESERVATION: destroyed by fire on 22 October, 1943

*Mansion Soteska was by the opinion of Valvasor, one of the finest in the land of Carniola
* On the opposite bank of the river Krka are the ruins of a medieval castle Old Soteska
* Manor was built on the site of the demolished tower from the 15th century.
* On the 22nd October, 1943 the mansion was looted and burned to the ground
* The locals used it as a stone quarry for the construction of their houses
* In the immediate vicinity of the castle, stands Devil`s tower. About him circulated a story that the lord of the mansion Soteska in times of severe poverty from farmers requested tax which they were not able to pay, and in return from the farmers demanded that they sent him their daughters over which he exercised his sexual desire. Farmers curse the tower and gave it the name of Devil's Tower