Ajdovšcina
Encyclopedia
Ajdovščina is a small town and a municipality with the same name and a population of 7000 (municipality 18.000), located in the Vipava Valley
(Vipavska dolina), Slovenia
.
The first mentions of Ajdovščina go as far as 2000 BC but the town became better known around 200 BC as Mansio Fluvio Frigido, a small post in use by the Roman empire
later in the 200 AC also known as Castra or Castrum ad Fluvio Frigido whose remains are still visible.
Ajdovščina and its surroundings were an important commercial and strategical point as some major battles took place in the Vipava Valley, such as in 394 AD the Battle of the Frigidus
. A local legend mentions that Theodosius I
used the strong northern winds that are known as burja (bora) and common in Ajdovščina and the Vipava Valley
to his favor and disabled the enemy archers
and pilum
units with the help of the wind.
The river Hubelj is the dividing line between the 2 largest parts of Ajdovščina, that are locally known as Šturje and Ajdovščina. During the pre-World War I
years the river was also the border between Goriška
and Carniola
, two of the Slovenian regions.
The Parish Church
in Ajdovščina is dedicated to John the Baptist
and belongs to the Koper Diocese
. It is built on the site of a Roman cemetery. Its interior was painted by the local Baroque
painter Anton Čebej
. A second Parish
within the urban area of Ajdovščina is the Šturje Parish, with the Parish Church dedicated to Saint George
. The church in Fužine to the north of the main town, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua
also belongs to this parish.
Despite the fact that the Italian
border is less than 20 km away and that Ajdovščina was under Italian administration between 1918–1945 as a commune of the Province of Gorizia
(as Aidussina), expect during the period between 1924 and 1927, when the Province of Gorizia was abolished and annexed to the Province of Udine
during Italian rule (1918–1943, nominally lasted to 1945)., the style of the town does not resemble that of a typical Italian town. The strong bora winds would cause damage to the usual Italian house construction. Thus the population adopted and modified the classical Kras
architecture
for their own needs, by for example putting stones on roofs to weigh down the tiles against the strong winds.
After World War II
Ajdovščina became the economical and cultural centre of the upper Vipava Valley.
Major industries include textile fabrics, construction, food, beverage and furniture.
The climate is Mediterranean
(minimum temperature in winter -1 °C, maximum 17 °C (63 °F); in the summer time maximum temperature 39 °C (102 °F), minimum 20 °C (68 °F)). The town is located around 25 km from the Adriatic Sea
.
Vipava Valley
The Vipava Valley is a valley located in the Slovenian Littoral, between the towns of Nova Gorica and Vipava.-Geography:It is a narrow valley, serving as the main passage between Friulian lowland and central Slovenia, and thus also an important corridor connecting Northern Italy to Central Europe...
(Vipavska dolina), Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
.
The first mentions of Ajdovščina go as far as 2000 BC but the town became better known around 200 BC as Mansio Fluvio Frigido, a small post in use by the Roman empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
later in the 200 AC also known as Castra or Castrum ad Fluvio Frigido whose remains are still visible.
Ajdovščina and its surroundings were an important commercial and strategical point as some major battles took place in the Vipava Valley, such as in 394 AD the Battle of the Frigidus
Battle of the Frigidus
The Battle of the Frigidus, also called the Battle of the Frigid River, was fought between September 5–6 394, between the army of the Eastern Emperor Theodosius I and the army of Western Roman ruler Eugenius....
. A local legend mentions that Theodosius I
Theodosius I
Theodosius I , also known as Theodosius the Great, was Roman Emperor from 379 to 395. Theodosius was the last emperor to rule over both the eastern and the western halves of the Roman Empire. During his reign, the Goths secured control of Illyricum after the Gothic War, establishing their homeland...
used the strong northern winds that are known as burja (bora) and common in Ajdovščina and the Vipava Valley
Vipava Valley
The Vipava Valley is a valley located in the Slovenian Littoral, between the towns of Nova Gorica and Vipava.-Geography:It is a narrow valley, serving as the main passage between Friulian lowland and central Slovenia, and thus also an important corridor connecting Northern Italy to Central Europe...
to his favor and disabled the enemy archers
Archers
Archers may refer to:*People who practice archery*The Royal Company of Archers, a Scottish ceremonial unit*The Archers, long running BBC Radio 4 soap opera*"The Archers", nickname for British film-making partnership of Powell and Pressburger...
and pilum
Pilum
The pilum was a javelin commonly used by the Roman army in ancient times. It was generally about two metres long overall, consisting of an iron shank about 7 mm in diameter and 60 cm long with pyramidal head...
units with the help of the wind.
The river Hubelj is the dividing line between the 2 largest parts of Ajdovščina, that are locally known as Šturje and Ajdovščina. During the pre-World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
years the river was also the border between Goriška
Goriška
Goriška is a traditional region in western Slovenia on the border with Italy. The name means "the Gorizia region" because it is named after Gorizia, Italy. It is part of the wider traditional region of the Slovenian Littoral . Its principal urban center is Nova Gorica...
and Carniola
Carniola
Carniola was a historical region that comprised parts of what is now Slovenia. As part of Austria-Hungary, the region was a crown land officially known as the Duchy of Carniola until 1918. In 1849, the region was subdivided into Upper Carniola, Lower Carniola, and Inner Carniola...
, two of the Slovenian regions.
The Parish Church
Parish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
in Ajdovščina is dedicated to John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
and belongs to the Koper Diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
. It is built on the site of a Roman cemetery. Its interior was painted by the local Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
painter Anton Čebej
Anton Cebej
Anton Cebej was a Slovenian baroque painter.He was born in Sturje in modern day Ajdovščina.Notable works include Exaltation of the Cross from Vinica, painted in 1750 and Death of St Josephus painted in 1774 shortly before his death .Three of his paintings are in the National Gallery of Slovenia...
. A second Parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
within the urban area of Ajdovščina is the Šturje Parish, with the Parish Church dedicated to Saint George
Saint George
Saint George was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox...
. The church in Fužine to the north of the main town, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua or Anthony of Lisbon, O.F.M., was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Though he died in Padua, Italy, he was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, which is where he was raised...
also belongs to this parish.
Despite the fact that the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
border is less than 20 km away and that Ajdovščina was under Italian administration between 1918–1945 as a commune of the Province of Gorizia
Province of Gorizia
The Province of Gorizia is a province in the autonomous Friuli–Venezia Giulia region of Italy.-Overview:Its capital is the city of Gorizia. It belonged to the Province of Udine between 1924 and 1927 and the communes of Sonzia, Plezzo, Bergogna, Caporetto, Tolmino, Circhina, Santa Lucia d'Isonzo,...
(as Aidussina), expect during the period between 1924 and 1927, when the Province of Gorizia was abolished and annexed to the Province of Udine
Province of Udine
The Province of Udine is a province in the autonomous Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy, bordering Austria and Slovenia. Its capital is the city of Udine....
during Italian rule (1918–1943, nominally lasted to 1945)., the style of the town does not resemble that of a typical Italian town. The strong bora winds would cause damage to the usual Italian house construction. Thus the population adopted and modified the classical Kras
Kras
Karst ; also known as the Karst Plateau, is a limestone borderline plateau region extending in southwestern Slovenia and northeastern Italy. It lies between the Vipava Valley, the low hills surrounding the valley, the westernmost part of the Brkini Hills, northern Istria, and the Gulf of Trieste...
architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
for their own needs, by for example putting stones on roofs to weigh down the tiles against the strong winds.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Ajdovščina became the economical and cultural centre of the upper Vipava Valley.
Major industries include textile fabrics, construction, food, beverage and furniture.
The climate is Mediterranean
Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
(minimum temperature in winter -1 °C, maximum 17 °C (63 °F); in the summer time maximum temperature 39 °C (102 °F), minimum 20 °C (68 °F)). The town is located around 25 km from the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
.
Demographics
Population by mother tongue, census 2002- Slovene 16760
- BosnianBosnian languageBosnian is a South Slavic language, spoken by Bosniaks. As a standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect, it is one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
325 - SerbianSerbian languageSerbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
182 - Serbo-CroatianSerbo-Croatian languageSerbo-Croatian or Serbo-Croat, less commonly Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian , is a South Slavic language with multiple standards and the primary language of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro...
141 - CroatianCroatian languageCroatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
139 - AlbanianAlbanian languageAlbanian is an Indo-European language spoken by approximately 7.6 million people, primarily in Albania and Kosovo but also in other areas of the Balkans in which there is an Albanian population, including western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, southern Serbia and northwestern Greece...
164 - MacedonianMacedonian languageMacedonian is a South Slavic language spoken as a first language by approximately 2–3 million people principally in the region of Macedonia but also in the Macedonian diaspora...
40 - ItalianItalian languageItalian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
16 - HungarianHungarian languageHungarian is a Uralic language, part of the Ugric group. With some 14 million speakers, it is one of the most widely spoken non-Indo-European languages in Europe....
7 - GermanGerman languageGerman is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
3 - Others 38
- Unknown 380
Notable citizens
- Martin BaučerMartin BaucerMartin Baučer , also known as Martin Baucer, was a Slovene historian who wrote in Latin.Baučer was born in the village of Selo near Ajdovščina in the Vipava Valley, in what was then the County of Gorizia...
(1595–1668) - historian - Anton ČebejAnton CebejAnton Cebej was a Slovenian baroque painter.He was born in Sturje in modern day Ajdovščina.Notable works include Exaltation of the Cross from Vinica, painted in 1750 and Death of St Josephus painted in 1774 shortly before his death .Three of his paintings are in the National Gallery of Slovenia...
(1722–1774) - painter - Josip KrižajJosip Križaj (pilot)Josip Križaj , also known in the Italianized form as Giuseppe Krizai, nicknamed "Pepi", was a Slovene military pilot and a veteran of the Spanish Civil War....
(1911–1948) - pilot - Tobia Lionelli (1647–1714) - preacher
- Karel LavričKarel LavričKarel Lavrič, also spelled Laurič or Lauritsch , was a Slovene liberal politician and lawyer from the Slovenian Littoral, and one of the most prominent activists of the Young Slovene movement. Together with the conservative Lovro Toman, he was considered among the most popular Slovene politicians...
(1818–1876) - politician - Danilo LokarDanilo LokarDanilo Lokar was a Slovene doctor and Expressionist writer.-Life:He was born in the town of Ajdovščina in the County of Gorizia and Gradisca, in what was then Austria-Hungary . Danilo was the oldest of six children in a family which made its living through tanning, and which ran a small leather shop...
(1892–1989) - author - Veno PilonVeno PilonVeno Pilon was a Slovene expressionist painter, graphic artist and photographer.Pilon was born in Ajdovščina, then part of the Austro-Hungarian province of Gorizia and Gradisca . After graduating from the prestigious gymasium of Gorizia, he was drafted by the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War I...
(1896–1970) - painter - Edi Šelhaus (b. 1919) - photographer, photoreporter
- Avgust Žigon (1877–1941) - literary historian
- Miša Cigoj (1982–present) - dancesport athlete
External links
- Ajdovščina Municipalitz official page
- Ajdovščina on Geopedia
- Ajdovščina Tourist Information Centre site
- Virtual Ajdovščina by Burger (virtual photos)
- Pilon Gallery in Ajdovščina site
- Airpark Ajdovščina
- Panorama of Vipava valley (Java, 360 photos - use QuickTimeQuickTimeQuickTime is an extensible proprietary multimedia framework developed by Apple Inc., capable of handling various formats of digital video, picture, sound, panoramic images, and interactivity. The classic version of QuickTime is available for Windows XP and later, as well as Mac OS X Leopard and...
program) - Planina Pri Ajdovščini