Kostanjevica Monastery

Nova Gorica, Slovenia

Kostanjevica Franciscan Monastery with the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady stands on a hill dividing the town of Nova Gorica and the suburb of Pristava. It is located just some 200 meters from the border with Italy. It is famous as the burial place of Charles X of France and his family.

In 1623 as small Carmelite sanctuary was erected just outside the limits of the town of Gorizia. In the next hundred years, a monastery was built next to the church, while the monastic chapel became an important site for pilgrims from Friuli and Goriška regions. In 1781, the monastery was disbanded by the Habsburg Emperor Joseph II. In 1811, the Franciscan friars acquired the abandoned complex, re-establishing the monastery. Among other, they brought a notable library containing some 10,000 books, which they transferred from the nearby Sveta Gora monastery. Today, the library is named after Father Stanislav Škrabec, a renowned Slovene linguist from the 19th century who lived and worked in the monastery for more than 40 years.

The Kostanjevica monastery was severely damaged in the Battles of the Isonzo during World War I. It was restored between 1924 and 1929. Until the end of World War II, the monastery was part of the town of Gorizia. In 1947, the border between Italy and Yugoslavia was set just a few hundred meters westward from the monastery, and Kostanjevica became part of the newly established town of Nova Gorica.

In the 19th century, the crypt of the Franciscan monastery was used for the burial of members of the French House of Bourbon who went into exile after the July Revolution. Most of them had settled in Gorizia, then part of the Austrian Empire, in the 1830s. The most famous of these is Charles X of France, King of France and Navarre.

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Founded: 1623
Category: Religious sites in Slovenia

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Marko Cvetkovic (13 months ago)
Not possible to enter elsewhere only to the church. Inside the church noh much to see. The view is average.
Metka Sulič (2 years ago)
Franciscan Monastery Kostanjevica in Nova Gorica is for me - living in town - and many other locals one of the most beloved place; the religious poeple love it because of the services, mass, friendly and widehearted Franciscans which lead the Monastery. Located on the small hill above Nova Gorica and in between two towns - on the other side is Gorizia (Italy) is facing another arhitectural and historical gem, a castle of Gorizia (castello di Gorizia). In the Monastery is a beautiful baroque church, free to visit and is a must see, a breathtaking library with some more than hundred years old books and the catacombs of last members of the Burbons, french royal family. You have to ring the bell at the door of the Monastery near the entrance to the church. The Monastery is also loved for the one who like to relax, is a perfect place for a stroll from Nova Gorica and it offers super romantic sunsets. There are many more nice things to say about the Monastery but meybe is the best to visit it. You can go up by foot from center Nova Gorica uphill is app. 30 minut of light walk.
Viljenka Savli (2 years ago)
A nice sight, on a hill above Nova Gorica. It is a a monastery where you can visit the the tomb of the last French king.
Shannon Amundson-Knittel (2 years ago)
Wonderful building the design of the time is unreal.
Jure Škarabot (3 years ago)
Beautiful church, perfect for weddings and other ceremonies
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