Belaj, Rural settlement in Cerovlje, Croatia.
Belaj is a rural settlement in Istria featuring a castle perched on a hill at 210 meters elevation. The structure has a rectangular layout with four-storey wings measuring roughly 40 by 20 meters, enclosed by high walls and surrounded by farm buildings.
The castle was built after the Uskok War of 1615-1617 by Daniel Barbo von Waxenstein. The estate then became the property of the Auersperg noble family in 1668.
The chapel dedicated to Saint Henry II with Baroque details stands on the grounds and shows how faith shaped local building practices. The high walls and farm buildings around it reflect the traditional ways people constructed their homes in this area.
The castle now operates as a public venue with a tasting room, restaurant, and wine production facilities that visitors can explore. The adjacent delicatessen shop offers local products and artisanal goods.
The name Belaj comes from the hilly terrain surrounding the location, reflecting how geography shaped the local language and place identity. This linguistic connection to the landscape remains visible in how residents and visitors refer to the area.
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