Holy Spirit Church, Javorca, Memorial church in Zatolmin, Slovenia
The Holy Spirit Church sits on a plateau with a stone foundation and wooden upper section, topped by a bell tower featuring a sundial. The building combines sturdy stone elements with lighter wooden construction to create an unusual form.
The structure was built in 1916 by Austro-Hungarian soldiers during World War I to honor the fallen. Oak panels inside preserve the names of around 2,500 deceased military personnel.
The exterior walls display coats of arms from twenty provinces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, painted using fresco technique with careful detail. These symbols reflect the diverse origins of the soldiers who fell here.
Visitors reach the church by climbing a monumental stairway and can enjoy views of the Tolmin-Bohinj mountains from the surrounding terrace. The elevated plateau location makes it visible from a distance and easy to spot.
The building received the European Heritage Label in 2018 and serves as a memorial where multiple religious groups conduct services each year. The site joins mourning for war losses with ongoing interfaith gatherings.
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