Location: Littoral Region Map
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Štanjel is a historic fortified settlement in Littoral region in South West Slovenia. First village in the area of modern day Štanjel was found here by the Ancient Romans. Roman artefacts were discovered during archaeological digs here. Although there have been evidence of much earlier human presence from the Iron Age. In the 11th and 12th century the village was fortified. Military fortifications were further increased in the late 17th century by the Count of Cobenzi as a response to a possible threat from the invasion of the Ottoman Turkish from the South East. Medieval structures were badly damaged during World War II, but it was subsequently remodelled after the war.
Prehistoric and Ancient Times
Archaeological evidence
indicates that Štanjel has been inhabited since prehistoric times,
with its strategic location on Turn Hill playing a key role. During
the Bronze and Iron Ages, it functioned as a hillfort, protected by
stone walls, serving as an important settlement in the area.
Invisible traces of this era, such as the prehistoric acropolis
including the Gledanica tower and remnants of a northern tower,
highlight its defensive nature. In antiquity, during the Roman
period, Štanjel continued to hold importance, with remains of a
Roman fortress known as Gledanica underscoring its role in early and
late Roman times. The settlement's development peaked in the
Romanesque period, preserving some Gothic architectural elements
from this era.
Medieval Period
The medieval era marked the
formal establishment of Štanjel as a structured village. It was
first mentioned in written sources in 1402, though houses were built
on terraces during the Middle Ages. The castle, a central feature,
was constructed during this time on earlier foundations. In the 15th
century, the village was walled to protect against Turkish
invasions, enclosing most of the settlement. Key architectural
developments included the Prophet Daniel Parish Church (Church of
St. Daniel), built as the burial vault for the Counts of Cobenzl,
featuring a distinctive lemon-shaped bell tower added in 1609. A
smaller church dedicated to Saint Gregory was also erected on a
neighboring hill. Notable figures from this period include Johann
Tautscher (c. 1544–1597), who served as bishop of Ljubljana and was
associated with the village.
16th to 17th Centuries: Peak
Development and Fortification
Štanjel reached its pinnacle of
development in the 16th and 17th centuries, when the current ground
plan, narrow alleys, and most architectural characteristics were
established. The castle was rebuilt in the 16th century by the
Counts of Cobenzl on medieval foundations, acquiring its Baroque
elements. Its final reconstruction, which endures to this day,
occurred at the end of the 17th century under the same counts.
During the 17th century, the entire town was fortified specifically
to defend against Ottoman raids, reflecting the broader regional
threats from the Ottoman Empire.
18th to 19th Centuries:
Ownership Changes
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Štanjel saw
shifts in castle ownership. In 1810, the castle passed to Count
Coronini, followed by a series of owners including Christoph de
Zahony, Count Ritter, knight Joseph Fabiani, Count Melzi, Baron
Sessel, a Trieste society led by Captain Parisi, and finally Camillo
von Marzetini. These changes occurred under Habsburg rule, with the
village maintaining its agricultural and strategic character amid
the broader political landscape of the Austrian Empire.
Early
20th Century and Interwar Period
The early 20th century brought
modernization efforts, particularly under the architect and mayor
Max Fabiani (1865–1962), who left a lasting mark on Štanjel over 20
years. Born or residing in the area, Fabiani renovated the Ferrari
Villa and designed the Ferrari Garden in the 1920s at the request of
physician Enrico Ferrari from Trieste. This garden, featuring a
small pool with an island connected by a bridge, is considered
Slovenia's most important interwar park landscaping and has been
declared a natural park and national monument. Fabiani also
transformed the castle into a multipurpose community space between
1920 and 1935, improved vehicular access, and addressed water supply
issues while preserving the settlement's medieval spirit. His grave
is located at the Saint Gregory Church.
World Wars
During
World War I, Štanjel's proximity to the front lines left remnants
like an Austrian cemetery containing graves of soldiers who died in
the conflict. The interwar period saw the aforementioned
developments, but World War II brought devastation. The village
served as a base for German occupation troops, with parts of the
settlement burned down in 1944. The castle was heavily damaged by
Allied bombing toward the war's end, leaving the village in ruins.
Post-World War II to Present
After World War II, Štanjel
underwent gradual renovation starting in the 1960s, focusing on
revitalizing the old village core and castle. A new part of the
settlement developed at the foot of Turn Hill. Notable postwar
resident was the graphic artist Lojze Spacal, whose permanent
collection is housed in an art gallery within the castle, opened in
1988. Today, Štanjel serves as a Karst cultural center, hosting
exhibitions (including one on Maks Fabiani), fine arts events at the
Lojze Spacal Gallery, and other small galleries. It attracts
visitors for its preserved heritage, including the castle complex,
defense walls, churches, nucleated village layout, and Ferrari
Garden, offering a blend of history, nature, and cultural
experiences.
Štanjel's architecture is quintessentially Karst: built almost
entirely from local limestone, with thick stone walls that provide
insulation against summer heat and winter cold. The village ascends in
terraces along the hillside, creating a layered, defensive profile that
adapts to the terrain's steep slopes. This terraced design, combined
with narrow, winding alleys, forms a compact nucleated settlement
designed to shield inhabitants from the bora winds and potential
invaders. Houses are typically two-story structures with stone roofs,
arched doorways, and small windows, reflecting a blend of Gothic and
Renaissance influences from the village's peak periods. The use of stone
extends to wells, portals, and arches, emphasizing resourcefulness in a
water-scarce region. Fabiani's 20th-century additions introduced
functional modernism, such as improved infrastructure, without
disrupting the historic aesthetic. The result is a harmonious ensemble
where ancient fortifications meet interwar landscaping, offering
panoramic views of the surrounding karst terrain.
Key Landmarks
Štanjel Castle
Dominating the village's entrance, the castle is a
central architectural feature, originally built on medieval foundations
in the 16th century by the Counts of Cobenzl and acquiring its
Baroque-Renaissance appearance in the 17th century. It features robust
stone walls, towers, and courtyards, with partial restorations between
the World Wars by Fabiani for official uses. Post-WWII renovations,
ongoing for over 50 years, have added modern content like an interactive
museum on the Slovenian language, an exhibition on karst nature, the
Lojze Spacal art gallery (showcasing the artist's prints), and a display
on Fabiani's work. The castle's elevated position provides commanding
views, and its integration with the village walls exemplifies defensive
architecture.
Church of St. Daniel
Dedicated to the village's
patron saint, this parish church was constructed in the 15th century as
a burial vault for the Cobenzl family. It showcases Gothic elements in
its vaulted interiors and stone construction, with a distinctive
lemon-shaped bell-tower added in 1609, which has become an iconic symbol
of Štanjel. The church's simple yet elegant facade, built from local
stone, harmonizes with the surrounding architecture, and its interior
includes historical artifacts reflecting the village's religious
heritage.
Town Walls and Defenses
Encircling most of the upper
village, the 15th-century town walls are a testament to Štanjel's
fortified past, erected primarily to repel Ottoman incursions. These
massive stone barriers, integrated into some homesteads due to space
constraints, feature gates and towers, contributing to the village's
impregnable silhouette. Over time, parts of the walls have been
repurposed, but they remain a defining element of the settlement's
medieval defensive layout.
Ferrari Garden and Villa
Located
below the village, the Ferrari Garden is a masterpiece of interwar
landscaping, designed in the 1920s by Maks Fabiani for physician Enrico
Ferrari. This terraced park, declared a national monument, incorporates
karst features like natural springs and caves, with a small artificial
pool featuring an island connected by a Venetian-style bridge. The
design blends Mediterranean flora with stone pathways and arches,
offering serene views of the landscape. The adjacent Ferrari Villa, also
renovated by Fabiani, exemplifies early 20th-century adaptations of
traditional Karst architecture. It stands as Slovenia's most significant
park arrangement from that era.
Karst House (Roman House)
Representing folk architecture, the Karst House is a renovated two-story
structure, possibly dating to the 14th or 15th century, known as the
"Roman house" for its age. This single-cell dwelling features thick
stone walls, arched entrances, and an ethnological collection displaying
traditional Karst life, including tools and furnishings made from local
materials. It highlights Romantic and Gothic peculiarities, such as
vaulted ceilings and stone hearths, underscoring the resourcefulness of
Karst builders in a resource-poor environment.