# Ig Castle

- **Country:** Slovenia
- **Coordinates:** 45.958400, 14.519742

Ig Castle, also known by its German name Sonnegg Castle or locally as Iški Turn, is a historic fortress situated on Pungart Hill at an elevation of 366 meters. Located above the settlement of Ig on the southern outskirts of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, the site commands a strategic view over the surrounding landscape. The structure was first documented in 1369 when the noble Schnitzenbaum family reconstructed an older estate into a defensive tower. Over the following centuries, it underwent significant architectural transformations, evolving from a simple tower into a small manor house by the late 15th century. Its ownership passed through several prominent noble families, including the Auerspergs and Engelshausers, with Pope Clement XI authorizing a private oratory within the grounds in 1717.

The castle possesses a turbulent history marked by military conflict and social unrest. It faced sieges by Ottoman forces in 1528 and became a focal point during peasant revolts in both 1515 and 1848. During World War II, the building served as a strategic outpost for Italian carabinieri and local anti-communist militia forces. In 1944, Yugoslav Partisans attacked and burned the castle to the ground, causing extensive damage to the historic structure. Following the war, the ruins were repaired and repurposed by the state as a women's prison, a function that significantly altered its internal layout and character compared to its original residential design.

Today, Ig Castle remains closed to the public and is not accessible for tours or general visitation. While it no longer serves as a noble residence or active military fortification, its exterior stands as a testament to the region's complex past, spanning from medieval defense to modern incarceration. The site is recognized as a significant landmark within Inner Carniola, though its current condition reflects its varied and often violent usage over nearly seven centuries. Visitors can view the castle from a distance on Pungart Hill, but entry is restricted due to its continued institutional use rather than preservation as a open heritage site.

![Photo of Ig Castle](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/GradIg1.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ig_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)