Turjak in Literature
Turjak already held an important place in early Slovene literature. The Protestant reformer Primož Trubar (1508–1586) came from a family of Auersperg dependents in Rašica. Jurij Dalmatin (1547–1589), the first translator of the Bible into Slovene, served for several years as a Protestant pastor under Auersperg patronage in Škocjan near Turjak. In the early 20th century, the poet Anton Medved (1869–1910) also served as parish priest at Turjak, where he wrote part of his literary work.
As patrons, the Auerspergs supported scholars and artists. Through such connections, they built their cultural reputation and social image as more than warriors and landowners, but also as patrons of prestige and learning.
Perhaps the greatest contribution to embedding the Auerspergs in the Slovene cultural imagination was made by the poet France Prešeren (1800–1848). In his romantic narrative poem Turjaška Rozamunda (Rosamund of Turjak), he immortalised Turjak Castle and its lords.
