Castles of "Croatia" OZALJ CASTLE vs PAZ

Ozalj Castle (Croatian: Stari grad Ozalj or Gradina Ozalj) is a castle in the town of Ozalj, Croatia. The Ozalj fortress, located on the stone cliff perched above the Kupa River, is one of the best-known fortifications of this type in Croatia. It is a very old stronghold (first mentioned in 1244) that has been converted into a castle. The popularity of this castle is because this was the joint castle of the Croatian noble families of Frankopan and Zrinski. In fact, it was the scene of the ill-fated Zrinski–Frankopan conspiracy, which significantly marked the history of Croatia. In the castle there is a museum and a library, and it is in a relatively good state of repair.

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Paz (Italian: Passo) is a village and ruined castle in Istria County, Croatia, in the municipality of Cerovlje. In 2011, the population of the village is 72. It is in the north-eastern part of Istria, north-east of the Gologorica and Gradinje, north of Belaj and Posert castles, south-west of Boljun, and 9 kilometres (6 mi) north-east from the municipality center Cerovlje. It is near the old road which connects Istria with Kastav. It is an old settlement above the old road which in the past was the shortest way through the valley between Boljunčica and Pazinčica rivers. In 1785 in honor of Joseph II was built road Jozefina connecting Učka-Vranja-Boljun-Paz-Pazin. The settlement was first mentioned in 12th century as part of Aquileia church estates, as Paas, later as Pasperc, Pasberk or Passberg. In the 17th century, Italian writer and geographer Fortunato Olmo mentioned it as Villa del Cane. At the time of its first mention Paz was part of the Boljun manor estate, until around 1290s when Friedrich Eberstein received the village Paz as feud from the Aquileia patriarch Raimondo della Torre, and started to build a fortress. It was in Eberstein family property until 1374, because of not having an heir, and became part of Habsburgs Pazin principality. The castle was managed by Walderstein family who also upgraded it. At the time of War of the League of Cambrai, in 1508 was conquered and burned by Venice. The next year the castle was captured by Austrian general Krsto Frankopan, and it was inherited by his daughter Barbara married Bernardin Barbo from Kožljak castle. After her death in 1570 was inherited by the son Messaldo Barbo who the old Gothic fort renovated into Renaissance fortified residence, as evidenced by the inscription at the entrance of castle. The Barbo family, especially in Kožljak castle, supported Protestantism, however, Messaldo was so ardent supporter of Reformation that in 1574 at Vrhnika murdered own son Kastelano because did not want to abandon Roman Catholic faith. For that crime Messaldo was executed in 1589 in Ljubljana. It was in possession of his heirs until 1665 when was bought by Auersperg noble family, and in the 18th century was abandoned, becoming only the ruins.

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