Counts of Celje
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Celje_Celjski_grad_001.jpg
Celje_Celjski_grad_001.jpg
Upper Celje Castle (Zgornji Celjski grad), home of the Counts of Celje (today in a phase of renovation)
In the Middle Ages, the town of Celje was the property of the Counts of Celje (Slovene Celjski grofje, German Grafen von Cilli). They are often still referred to in English as Counts of Cilli.
They were a well-known noble family of Slovenia and the only true counts of Slovene ethnicity. They began their glory in a small castle in Žovnek (German Sannegg), Braslovče (Upper Savinja valley), but in a short period of time they owned more than 20 castles all over Slovenia and beyond through the marriages of their daughters.
Most famous of the Counts of Celje
- Ulrich I of Celje, d 1312, lord of Zovnek who became 1st Count of Celje
- Frederick I (–1359/60)
- Ulrik II of Žovnek/Sannegg (1331–1368)
- William of Celje, father of Anna of Celje, Queen of Poland and Lithuania, second wife of Jagello
- Hermann II (1365–1435)
- Barbara of Celje (Barbara Celjska]) (1368–1437), Holy Roman Empress
- Frederick II
- Ulrich III of Celje (Ulrich Cillei) (1406-1456)
- Margaret of Celje d 1480, heiress of the dynasty, married (1) Count Herman of Montfort and (2) Duke Vladislav of Teschen