 |
|
Mali grad (little castle)
Mali grad is one of the greatest attractions of Kamnik; we could also say it is Kamnik’s symbol. The Mali grad chapel is the only remain of the Medieval castle, which is said to be built in the 11th Century. The first owner of the castle was the family of the mighty Andechs counts. The upper part of the chapel has a typical gothic circumference with pendants, while the lower part is baroque with images of saints. The legend of Veronika, the symbol of the town of Kamnik, is also connected to Mali grad.
Franciscan friary
The main attractions of the Franciscan Friary are the Chapel of Holy sepulchre (one of the last works of our famous architect Joze Plecnik) and the rich Franciscan Library. The Franciscan Friary was built in 1492 next to the former gothic Church of sv. Jakob. Through its rich history, it was witness to many rises and falls, but it managed to remain well preserved until present. The interior of today's baroque church was decorated by a Kamnik local, Stane Cuderman, the author of the Chapel of Holy Grave is the well known Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik. The treasure of the Franciscan Friary is the library, which contains incunabulae, first editions from before 1550, translation of Dalmatin’s Bible with Pentateuch (Moses’ five books) and over 10.000 volumes printed before 1799. The library may be visited by prior arrangement or within the framework of a guided tour of the town of Kamnik.
The Church of Sv. Jozef
is located on Zale, the main town cemetery with Kalvarija.Kamnik's priest Maksimiljan Leopold Rasp reconstructed the Church of Sv. Jozef on Zale in baroque manner in the 18th Century. The Chapel of Holy grave, modelled after the Palestine chapel, is located next to the church. Kalvarija with its chapels, painted by Kamnik's artist Matija Kozelj, rises above the cemetery.
The Church of Marija Brezmadezna
is Kamnik’s parish church, located on Sutna. The first gothic church was built here already in 1207. As a result of a fire and an earthquake, the church was reconstructed a number of times, and in 1734, at the incentive of the priest Maksimilijan Leopold Rasp, a new church was built. Today’s baroque church is decorated by stone statues on the roof. The bell tower, which is separate from the church, is the remainder of the Medieval church. The church interior was decorated by painters F. Jelovsek in K von Goldenstein, oil paintings are the works of Valentin Metzinger.
Ursuline Monastery.
Less than a kilometre from Kamnik, the village of Mekinje is home of the Ursuline Monastery. The predecessor of the present Ursuline Monastery was the Castle of Gallenberg counts. The Monastery with the Church was established in 1300, by Siefgried Gallenberg, and offered as a gift to an Order of St. Clares. Turbulent times followed, which saw the Monastery demolished, reconstructed and at the end of 18th Century, by order of Tsar Jozef II, dismissed. From 1902, the building is run by the Order of Ursulines from Ljubljana. A peculiarity of the Monastery is the gothic Zalostna mati Bozja and the Chapel from 1903. A Christmas cradle from the 17th Century has been preserved, which is kept in the Ethnographic museum in Ljubljana. Tour of the monastery is possible by prior arrangement or within the framework of tourist guided tours.
The Church of Sv. Ana, Tunjice near Kamnik,
with two bell towers and a dome, was modelled after the St. Agnes Church in Rome. The predecessor of today’s baroque church stood on the same site already in the 16th Century. It had only one bell tower and high walls, which served as defence against the Turks. Upon initiative by the priest Peter Pavel Glavar from Komenda, a new church was built between the years 1762 and 1766. The church was decorated by Janez Potocnik.Tours are possible by prior arrangement or within the framework of guided tours, organised by TIC Kamnik.
The Church of Sv. Benedikt, Stranje
Following turbulent historical events, the Church of Sv. Benedikt was reconstructed for the final time by Joze Plecnik. Consequently, it is full of symbolism and thus worth a visit. It was built already in the 13th Century by the Order of Benedictines from Gornji grad. During the 15th Century, the Turks raided the region. As a result, the church, whish is located on a very prominent site, was enclosed by high walls, with an encampment was organised next to it. Its strategic position was also taken advantage of by the Germans, who converted it to a bunker during the war, which left the church almost entirely destroyed. Joze Plecnik reconstructed it in its entirety during the 50’s of the 20th Century.
Marija’s Chapel, Zupanje njive,
was massively visited in the 90’s of the 20th Century since it was said by some to have a healing effect. Experts measured extremely strong radiation at its site, in addition, during great disasters (such as the earthquake in Ljubljana in 1895, WWI and WWII) the statue of Marija is said to move the eyes. This is still said to happen today, consequently the Chapel is well visited.
The Church of Sv. Primoz and Felicijan
Should you look up at Kamniske Alps, you will see, right beneath Velika planina, the Church of Sv. Primoz and Felicijan, which is an important hiking trail for many locals. The church is one of the best preserved gothic monuments in Slovenia. The double nave church with a star shaped vault, which continues to form decorative pillars, is the work of a stonecutter’s workshop from Kamnik. The interior of the church is decorated by frescoes, which are one of the highest quality paintings from the Middle Ages in Slovenia. The choir is equipped with Faller's organ from 1680. Right above the Church, a simple Medieval Church of Sv. Peter is located, which is covered with a shingled roof.
The chapel of Marija Snezna
One of the most prominent buildings on Velika planina is definitely the Chapel of Marija Snezna, which was commissioned in 1939 by the herdsmen, or "pwanšarji", from Velika planina. It is at its most magical during Christmas night, when the midnight mass is attended by crowds of hikers. The carpenters copied its form from other herdsmen huts on Velika planina. The first Church was burnt by the Germans during the war. Besides the Church, 100 herdsmen's huts were also burnt. It was reconstructed in 1988 and blessed by the then Archbishop and Metropolitan Alojzij Sustar.
The Church of Sv. Florian
The village Zakal, located on the slope above the valley of Bistričica, is home to a pleasant little Church of Sv. Florjan. The Medieval Church is famous for its flat ceiling and 2 altars. Its greatest treasure is the Painting of Kamnik from 1779, with Sv. Florjan protecting the town against fire.
The Church of Sv. Jurij
is located in the village Nevlje, which is one of the oldest settlements in the Kamniska region. The village Nevlje is most famous for its excavations while the Church of Sv. Jurij is said to be the first headquarters of the Kamnik’s pre-parish. Near the church, while making a bridge, workers found a sceleton of mammoth, which is preserved in Slovenian museum of Natural History.
The Church of Sv. Miklavz
can be seen driving through Tuhinjska valley, as it is located on the so-called hill - Gora. The first Church was built in the gothic manner; the one on site today is worth visiting for its wooden baroque ceiling decorated by Valentin J. Metzinger, the wooden cassette ceiling and because of its frescoes created by Janez Potocnik. The Church is particularly interesting also because it used to be surrounded by high walls for protection against the Turks, of which the defence tower still remains. On the southern side of the wall, the caretaker’s quarters with a black kitchen, a small room and a closet, are located. These may also be visited and offer refreshments. The church may be reached by a walkway and is considered a pleasant excursion point by the locals. Turistično drustvo Gora makes sure that there is always something happening. You will see the Church of Sv. Tomaz immediately next to the road though Tuhinjska valley. It is a baroque church, which is most well know for its altar, the work of the former Franciscan workshop from the first half of the 18th Century and has been transferred here from Kamnik's Franciscan Church.
The chapel of Maria Lurska (at Kamniska Bistrica mountain hut)
The chapel was built in 1897. The purpose of building the chapel at the end of the Kamniska Bistrica valley near the mountain hut is not known but most probably people just felt that such a beautiful place deserved to have a sacred symbol.
|
