Church of St. Stefan lies between the coastal-like houses, which are surrounding it. Church is oriented towards the east. On the southern side is surrounded by lime trees. Church of St. Stefan celebrates its “shagra”, as the celebration of the church patron is called, on 26th of December on the day of martyr Stefan. The reason that the church is dedicated to martyr Stefan, could be found in establishing of a Cathedral St. Stefan of Aquileia, from where the worship of St. Stefan extended to our area.
The formation of the church is connected with the church of St. Mark, as the church of St. Stefan was in year 1345 built as a branch of the church St. Mark. Church has undergone many changes since. In 1556 was fully renovated, or perhaps demolished and then on its grounds they built todays church in Gothic style. At that time it became a parish church and religious life has moved from a small church in the heart of Vipava to the edge into the larger and spacious church.
Today we would in vain search for the Gothic style in the church, as it was in years 1737 and 1738 rebuilt in the Baroque style. Gothic presbytery was modernized: they removed the springs and ribs. About Gothic features still testify two springs, which are partly preserved in the wall above the main altar, on the outside the Gothic buttresses still perform their task. The church became a Baroque church after year 1750.
The bell tower is by the height divided on five floors and is considered as a special type of bell towers, especially the roof, which was changed while in renovation and it is no longer in the shape of a pyramid, but in a form of Baroque helmet.
Church is primarily known for its frescoes, which according to their quality belong among the top. First ceiling frescoes were painted by Franc Jelovšek in year 1738. New nave was built in year 1750 and Jelovšek painted three frescoes there. On this frescoes are painted: from west to east – Latin church fathers: St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, St. Gregory the Great, St. Jerome, on the other is Assumption and third are four evangelists. Altar is integrally formed in the classicist style: all from white marble, but it also has Baroque features. One of this features a curtain decorated with bunches.
The painter Andrej Herrlein painted new altar picture of St. Stefan in year 1796, which hung above the main altar, today it is in the baptistery. Real architecture concludes with a richly decorated wall, which enables the look in the open heavens.
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Vipava
Vipava is a settlement and the center of homonymous municipality, which is in the upper part of Vipava valley, next to numerous springs of river Vipava, which is the only river in Europe with delta spring. Due to the numerous springs the inhabitants built 25 brides. [_Read more_]