Kostanjevica Monastery (Nova Gorica)

The Franciscan monastery of Kostanjevica, perched on a hill above Nova Gorica, is a significant cultural and historical landmark on the Slovenian-Italian border. Founded in the 17th century, the monastery is famously known for housing the crypt of the last members of the French Bourbon dynasty, including King Charles X. The Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary serves as the spiritual heart of the complex, notable for its ornate Baroque interior. Another invaluable asset of the monastery is the Škrabec Library, which contains over 10,000 volumes, including rare incunabula and a 1584 first edition of the first Slovenian grammar by Adam Bohorič. Outside, the monastery grounds feature a remarkable rose garden with one of the world's most extensive collections of Bourbon roses. The terrace has panoramic views over Nova Gorica and the adjacent Italian town of Gorizia, representing a unique intersection of Slovenian sacred art and European political history.

Nearby cities

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