Gracar Turn

The Gracar Turn (Gracarjev turn, "Grätzer's Tower;" from Grätzer Turn) is a 14th-century castle on the northern outskirts of Hrastje in the Šentjernej municipality in the traditional region of Lower Carniola in southeastern Slovenia.

History
The castle is not recorded in medieval sources, though the historian Valvasor mentions a manor stood on the site in the 14th century, built by the Grätzer family from nearby Gradac, whence its name derives. After passing through numerous hands, it was purchased by Anton Rudež in 1821. The author Janez Trdina was often Rudež's guest at Gracar Turn; several of the former's works were written at the castle, including his best-known, Fables and Tales of the Gorjancers. During World War II part the castle was burned down by partisan fighters. It has since been renovated.

The core of the castle consists of a multi-story residential palacium, surrounded by a rectangular complex anchored by two imposing square towers.