It’s not Motovun but Štanjel!Timeless charmer in the heart of Karst

In the land of Karst Plateau, where many beautiful and largest Slovenian caves have been discovered, just one hour away from Ljubljana, or about 30 minutes from Trieste, a small but charming village rich in culture and history is located.  A village that, at first glance, resembles the famous Motovun in Croatia!

Magical in its own way, Štanjel is more than just a village. It is a place of culture, stunning cobblestone streets, great local cuisine, history, art, people, wine, and tales.

Štanjel, Photo: Vid Ponikvar, arhiv Sportida d.o.o., www.slovenia.info

Hugged by Vipava Valley, Štanjel also known in Italian as San Daniele del Carso, has been an important place since the Iron Age. Desired by many for its geographical position, the village went from being a defensive fortified city against the Ottoman Empire to being completely destroyed and built from the beginning in a matter of centuries.

Things to SEE IN ŠTANJEL

Štanjel Castel

Built in the 17th century, and ruled by the Cobenzl family, Štanjel Castle is today a museum and art gallery. Additionally, it has its own wine shop where you can purchase the best of what Štanjel vineyards have to offer. If you wish to have a team building or even plan your perfect wedding at such a location, that is also possible.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A POST SHARED BY VISIT ŠTANJEL (@VISITSTANJEL)

Parish Church of Saint Daniel

Right beside the Štanjel Castle, you will come across a Chruch of St. Daniel. According to resources, the church was built in the 15th century and it is a place of burial of the Combenzl family.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A POST SHARED BY VISIT ŠTANJEL (@VISITSTANJEL)

Ferrari Garden

The most popular tourist attraction in Štanjel is definitely the Ferrari Garden. It was designed by the local architect Maks Fabiani for the Ferrari family.  The garden is truly magnificent and no wonder the family used to enjoy spending their free time by the villa.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A POST SHARED BY VISIT ŠTANJEL (@VISITSTANJEL)

Besides these three main monuments, in Štanjel you can additionally explore the streets and old houses, plan a visit to local wineries, or even book one of many specially designed tours that will discover many more secrets of this charming place.

For those interested in spending their vacation in Štanjel, make sure to check out their accommodation offer. It might surprise you!