Representative Buildings of the Counts of Cilli – an Expression of Dynastic Propaganda

Abstract

The Counts of Cilli (Celje) were undoubtedly the most important noble family to originate from the area of present-day Slovenia. Their meteoric rise reached its peak with their elevation to the rank of imperial princes in 1436, although the dynasty died out in 1456. At the height of their might they possessed more than 125 castles, the result of a century-long deliberate castle politics. One dis- tinct way to express might and prestige was through representative buildings, in itself also a dynastic propaganda. This article presents some of the Cilli’s more prestigious buildings: The town palace in Celje, their main residence, two strategic castles on the approaches from Italy (Wippach/Vipava, Adelsberg/Postojna), three new fortifications built by the counts themselves in the 15th century (Weißenfels, Friedrichstein, Mokrice), two on prestigious locations in Carinthia (Landskronn) and above Vienna (Liechtenstein), and their residences in the urban environments of Vienna, Zagreb, Buda and Belgrade.