Snow castles and sculptures evoke ancient legend

The town of Črna na Koroškem north Slovenia hosted its annual snow sculpting competition this weekend. Unlike in recent years, there was plenty of snow and temperatures were low.

The event, known as the Castles of King Matjaž, evokes the legend of a righteous king sleeping under the nearby Mount Peca, which competitors as a rule explore as the theme in their sculptures.

Linked by some to a real-life king, Matthias Corvinus of Hungary, who lived in the second half of the 15th century, Matjaž is believed to have ruled for the benefit of the people but was forced to hide under...