Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
ABBEY
Stična Cistercian Abbey
(Cistercijanska Opatija Stična; 041 689 994, 787 78 63;
www.mks-sticna.si
; Stična
17; adult/student/senior/family €4.50/2/3/7; tours 8.30am, 10am, 2pm & 4pm Tue-Sat,
2pm & 4pm Sun)
Established in 1136 by the Cistercians (famous for their vows of si-
lence), this abbey was for centuries the most important religious, economic, educational
and cultural centre in Dolenjska. There are currently some 15 priests and monks in resid-
ence.
The entrance to the walled monastery, an incredible combination of Romanesque, Goth-
ic, Renaissance and baroque architecture, is on the east side across a small stream. On the
north side of the central courtyard is the Old Prelature, a 17th- century Renaissance build-
ing, which contains the
Museum of Christianity in Slovenia
(Muzej Krščanstva na
Slovenskem), a hotchpotch mix of antique clocks, furniture, icons and old documents
(though note, the medieval ones are facsimiles).
On the west side of the courtyard is the
Abbey Church
(1156), a buttressed, three-nave
Romanesque cathedral, rebuilt in the baroque style in the 17th and 18th centuries. Look
inside for the Renaissance red-marble tombstone of Abbot Jakob Reinprecht in the north
transept and the blue organ cupboard with eight angels (1747) in the choir loft. The
greatest treasures here are the Stations of the Cross painted in 1766 by Fortunat Bergant.
South of the church is Stična's vaulted cloister, mixing Romanesque and early Gothic
styles. The arches and vaults are adorned with frescoes of the prophets and Old Testament
stories and allegorical subjects. The carved stone faces on the west side were meant to
show human emotions and vices.
On the south side of the cloister is a typically baroque monastic refectory, with an 18th-
century pink ceiling with white stucco decoration.
Neff's Abbey
, built in the mid-16th
century by Abbot Volbenk Neff, runs to the west. The arches in the vestibule on the
ground floor are painted with a dense network of leaves, blossoms, berries and birds.
The Cistercians sell their own products (honey, wine, herbal teas, liqueurs) in a small
shop at the abbey entrance.
Sleeping & Eating
Grofija €
GUESTHOUSE
