From top, left to right: Kostanjevica from afar, Oražen House and St. Nicholas' Church, Monastery Gate, Bridge over Krka river, Monastery Courtyard, Kostanjevica Monastery
The monastery, a filial of Viktring Abbey near Klagenfurt, was enlarged in a Baroque style in the early 18th century. It was nevertheless finally disbanded in 1785 by the Habsburg emperor Joseph II.
The settlement of Kostanjevica was first mentioned as a town in 1210 and received market rights in 1249. During the Late Middle Ages it was an important commercial centre in the Duchy of Carniola held by the Habsburg archdukes of Austria. After several devastations by Ottoman military raids in the 15th and 16th centuries, it lost its importance. After the 17th century, it turned into a mostly rural settlement, which however retained its town status. In 2000, it was recognised by the National Assembly as a city.[6]
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1948
395
—
1953
503
+27.3%
1961
548
+8.9%
1971
559
+2.0%
1981
680
+21.6%
1991
751
+10.4%
2002
701
−6.7%
2011
695
−0.9%
2021
702
+1.0%
Population size may be affected by changes in administrative divisions.
Mass grave
Krakovo Forest 2 Mass Grave
Kostanjevica na Krki is the location of one of two known mass graves associated with the Second World War in the Krakovo Forest. The sites consist of 10 large mounds and contain the remains of an undetermined number of Croatian prisoners of war, civilians, and possibly German soldiers as well. The Krakovo Forest 2 Mass Grave (Grobišče Krakovski gozd 2) lies about 800 meters (2,600 ft) northeast of the north bridge across the Krka River in Kostanjevica na Krki and about 200 meters (660 ft) from the bridge across Sajevec Creek. The site is marked by a large mound with a cross next to it.[7] The grave site was created simultaneously with the Krakovo Forest 1 Mass Grave (Slovene: Grobišče Krakovski gozd 1) in neighboring Sajevce.[8] The two sites were created around May 15, 1945, when Partisan forces captured about 4,000 Croatian soldiers and civilians at Dobruška Vas fleeing toward Austria. They were held on the left bank of the Krka River and killed in the forest over the course of a few days; eyewitnesses stated that the victims included children, women, and elderly persons.[9]
Sights
Bridge over the Krka River
A former monastic complex, which was burned by the Partisans in World War II,[10][11] has been renovated and now houses the Božidar Jakac Gallery, an art gallery with a sculpture park and a permanent exhibition of works by Božidar Jakac. It is dominated by the Early Gothic abbey church built in 1234.[12]
The town's parish church is dedicated to Saint James and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Novo Mesto. It is an originally 13th century Romanesque building that was largely rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 17th century.[13] Kostanjevica Cave (Slovene: Kostanjeviška jama), a popular tourist destination, is nearby.
Notable people
Notable people that were born or lived in Kostanjevica na Krki include:
Ivan Belle (1867–1924), viticultural and orchard specialist[14]
^Žagar, Katarina (October 2007). Lokalna samouprava: organizacija in funkcija [Local Self-Government: Organisation and Function] (PDF) (in Slovenian) (5th ed.). Administration Academy, Ministry of Public Administration. p. 28. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2011-07-26.
^Ferenc, Mitja (December 2009). "Grobišče Krakovski gozd 2". Geopedia (in Slovenian). Ljubljana: Služba za vojna grobišča, Ministrstvo za delo, družino in socialne zadeve. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
^Ferenc, Mitja (December 2009). "Grobišče Krakovski gozd 1". Geopedia (in Slovenian). Ljubljana: Služba za vojna grobišča, Ministrstvo za delo, družino in socialne zadeve. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
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