Nova Gorica Live Cam

In the middle of the Vipava Valley, on one of the low hills so characteristic of the Valley, stands Vipavski Kriz. People have always been attracted to this place, rich with turbulent history and curiosities which are still there. The counts of Gorizia, in fear of the Turks and Venetians, decided to build the enclosing circular walls. In 1507 the settlement was given the right of a market town, and in 1632 the Emperor Ferdinand raised Vipavski Kriz to a city. It is said to have been the smallest city in the whole empire.

Today it is best known for the Capuchin monastery which was built in the 17th century, partly with the aid of the Attems family. Notable paintings and books in the monastery were created by great masters of the past, many centuries ago. The Capuchin monks are happy to show them to visitors and relate to them many interesting details of the rich history of Vipavski Kriz and the monastery. They are especially proud of their famous predecessor, the first Slovenian preacher Janez Svetokriski, who used to live in the monastery. The building is also a place of retreat, where many who seek it find inner peace.

The monastery library has some 2,000 books, printed between 1510 and 1800. The most valuable is thought to be a manuscript volume of a prayerbook from the 15th century. It is written in Gothic miniscule and decorated with rich illuminations and initials. During the battles at the Soca (Isonzo) Front and in World War II, but also immediately after it, the library was badly damaged. The number of books today is only a tenth of the original figure.

The monastery is famous for its rich artistic heritage, too. Many of the paintings were created by artists and also Capuchin monks centuries ago. The Glory of the Holy Trinity, which dominates the church, was painted in 1668. It has a rightful place among the greatest and most beautiful Baroque paintings in Slovenia.