Branek Castle

Abstract

The contribution discusses the architectural development of the former Branek (Mallegg) Castle or Upper Castle in the area of Branoslavci west of Ljutomer, which was the biggest, the most distinguished, and the most recognizable castle building in the wider Ljutomer area between the second half of the seventeenth century and 1926. In 1926, a significant part of the castle complex was demolished after a devastating a fire and the rest was converted into a simple residential building, which has so far not been subject to any detailed discussion in terms of its architectural history. By taking into consideration and systematically analysing the preserved remains of the former castle, old depictions, archival photographs, data on the history of the estate, and historical depictions, it is possible to determine the main development phases of the former castle building between the sixteenth and the twentieth centuries with a fair amount of reliability and thus accentuate its special significance for the history of the Ljutomer area during the period concerned. Everything suggests that Branek Castle was built in the early sixteenth century in accordance with the medieval tradition of fortified castles and that it was set for Franz von Herbersdorf on the site of a medieval tower house which, unlike itself, served no particular defensive purpose.