In the village of Soteska on the Krka River stand the ruins of Soteska Manor, built between 1664 and 1689 by Count Jurij Žiga Gallenberg. Once considered one of the most beautiful Baroque residences in the Duchy of Carniola, it was designed in a rare four-leaf clover shape.
Soteska Manor in 1943 (Visualization based on archival sources and AI)
The manor was a representative residence for the Gallenberg family. Above the main entrance, marble coats of arms of the Gallenberg and Schrottenbach families (dated 1675) were once installed; today they are preserved in the Dolenjska Museum in Novo mesto.
The Devil's Tower
Next to the manor ruins stands the Devil's Tower (Hudičev turn), a unique stone garden pavilion. The tower features a clover-shaped layout and is interiorly decorated with rich illusionistic frescoes, including the mythological scene of Zeus abducting Ganymede. Its ominous name stems from local folklore about debauched parties held by the lords, though these remain historical myths.
The Fire of 1943
During WWII, the manor met a tragic end. In 1943, it was set on fire by order of the partisan leadership to prevent the occupying forces from using it as a stronghold. Despite a plea from the famous painter and partisan Božidar Jakac to spare the monument, the fire consumed the structure, and subsequent plundering left only the ruins we see today.
Legacy
Today, the remains have been partially stabilized. The interior of the walls serves as an event space resembling a Roman theater, while the Devil's Tower continues to host concerts and weddings, renowned for its exceptional acoustics. It remains a monument of national significance, marking the boundary between past grandeur and the turbulent history of the region.