The area around Preddvor has been the site of significant human settlement since prehistoric times, as evidenced by a multitude of archaeological discoveries, including the remains of several settlements. We hope you enjoy learning about two such settlements, which commanded over the hill of Sveti Jakob above Preddvor.
Late Antique settlement on Sveti Jakob
A fortified settlement spanned the ridge and terraced southern slope of Sveti Jakob hill during the 5th and 6th century CE, covering an area of 166x40 m. Archaeological excavations began in 1985. West of the modern day church, the remains of a stone wall and several buildings were uncovered. In the ruins were everyday items used by the inhabitants such as ceramic and glass vessels, a comb of horn, and a round mirror made of a white metal. The finds also included parts of weapons, for example an iron arrowhead.
The site was again explored in 2024 using non-invasive methods LiDAR, a topographic archaeological survey, and geophysical survey, yielding a detailed ground plan of the entire settlement. It consisted of around 24 buildings,
which were constructed either entirely out of stone, or had stone foundations and a wooden structure. In the northern part of the settlement, the structures were attached to the wall. The western part contained residential and husbandry buildings, some with enclosed courtyards. At the top of the ridge was a water cistern, and the eastern part, where there is presently the church of St Jacob, was occupied by a church and adjoining religious structures as is typical also of other Late Antique hillforts.
The residents of Sveti Jakob were well protected at their remote location with a clear view of the surroundings, yet the settlement was also connected to the Kokra river and, importantly, with the town of Kranj, suggesting a defensive and surveillant role.
Archaeological excavations began in 1985. West of the modern day church, the remains of a stone wall and several buildings were uncovered. In the ruins were everyday items used by the inhabitants such as ceramic and glass vessels, a comb of horn, and a round mirror made of a white metal.
Novi (Pusti) grad
The Novi grad castle is one of the earliest masonry castles in Carniolan lands. Attested from the 12th century, it was built at the entrance into the Kokra valley to guard the Mediaeval trade route leading across the Jezerski vrh pass towards Carinthia. In the mid-12th to mid-13th century, the original castle was expanded by the Counts of Andechs. It seems to have perished even before the great earthquake of 1511.
As evident from the remnants, the romanesque castle had a rectangular layout. The entire plateau was enclosed with a mortared stone wall. A guard tower (propugnaculum) likely stood outside the wall, overseeing the path along the reinforced terrace, across the wooden bridge over the deep ditch, into the inner castle. From the southern side, the castle was protected with three ditches separated by two high ramparts. Another tower stood at the entryway into the courtyard, which was lined with buildings. The most imposing of these was the central tower, the Bergfried, occupying a square of 9x9 m and with over 2 m thick walls. In the western part of the courtyard was the Palas, the living quarters, its interior divided into two parts. The castle also had a 6x4.5 m water reservoir. Sherds of pottery and late Mediaeval (13th-15th century) arrowheads were found within the ruins.
The Novi grad castle is one of the earliest masonry castles in Carniolan lands. Attested from the 12th century, it was built at the entrance into the Kokra valley to guard the Mediaeval trade route leading across the Jezerski vrh pass towards Carinthia.
