Corridor: Via Adriatica
Country: Slovenia, Stanjel, Karst
Type: Fortress, Historic Town
Epoch: Modern Times, Middle Ages
Theme: Fortresses
World Heritage:

The Romans turned the top of the hill into an ancient fort, in the Middle Ages the village expanded over the hill, and later on the settlement was enclosed by defence walls to protect it against ottoman invasions. However, the most dominant features of the village are the Castle and the Church of Saint Daniel, which make Stanjel so remarkable. While walking through the narrow streets, the houses built in stone are telling you the story of stonemasons, who portrayed their experience of the Karst through stone. The streets end up in small squares, which were once popular meeting places for the youth and elderly. Late Gothic St. Danijel's church was built in the second half of 15th century. Later, in the 17th century, particularly outstanding church tower was built. In its interior there is very interesting marble slab on the high-altar showing the image of the castle at the end of the 17th century. However parish Saint Daniel's church has two succoursal churches: The St. Gregory church and the church of St. Joseph. Badly damaged during the Second World War, the part of the castle has been restored. The oldest remains of the castle reach back into the Middle Ages. In that time the castle was owned by the Counts of Gorica, then by the Cobenzls, and later on the ownership passed on to many others. In the 17th century it was rebuilt into a renaissance and baroque residence.

Slovenian Tourist Board