PODPEČ
Podpeč, a village with a magnificent 11th-century defense tower watching over the Karst Rim and hiding the natural cave of a historical refuge site.
Podpeč is a clustered settlement situated just below the Karst Rim cliff. The village takes its name from a defensive tower dating from the 11th century, as it looks like a furnace from a distance. Hidden beneath the tower is a natural cave, which in the old days served as a shelter to the villagers in the event of enemy attacks.
Podpeč is a picturesque cluster village situated just below the cliffs of the Karst Rim, offering memorable views and a unique atmosphere formed by centuries of history and tradition.
The village square with its inexhaustible Karst water spring is at the heart of the village and is a key resource for the local community. The tightly packed historic houses are a testimony to the rich past and community spirit that continues to live on among the locals.
Defense Tower
One of the main attractions is the 11th-century defense tower built by the Margrave of Istria, Ulric of Weimar. This 17-meter-high tower with 1.5-meter-thick walls was important for controlling the valley for centuries and served as a safe haven during Turkish and Uskok advances. The village is named after the defense tower. From a distance, the tower looks like a furnace, and the village lies below the tower, hence the name Podpeč (“pod” – below, “peč” – furnace).
Church of St Helen
Nearby is the filial church of St Helen from 1489. The church has no belfry, which is why the bell is hung separately on a double lintel with a roof. It offers fascinating frescoes painted in its interior. The Gothic presbytery, which today houses only a concrete altar table, and the Gothic window in the nave are preserved from before 1489.
Prkič House
Prkič house is the only remnant of the oldest building tradition under the Karst Rim, apart from the Benko House in Črni Kal. In the past, it was probably the property of wealthy farmers, but originally it was a stonemason’s workshop of the masters Andrej and Benko from Sočerga, who built it in 1547. As it had been empty and unmaintained since the last war, it was rebuilt between 1986 and 1988. Today it houses the village museum.
TOP 5 ATTRACTIONS
- Impressive 11th-century defense tower.
- Church of St Helen from 1489 with beautiful frescoes.
- Prkič House, a rare surviving representative of the oldest building tradition under the Karst Rim.
- Village center with a permanent karst spring.
- The historic Kozina-Koper railway line, which adds a special charm to the village.
