Church of the Holy Trinity

According to historical records, the church on the top of Fijolčna gora – the Violet Mount, as the hill overlooking Vrhnika was once called due to the countless violas growing there, was built around 1640. Valvasor's account in The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola suggests it could have been even older, as early as 1630. Today, the church, built in the Italian style, features a Baroque steeple instead of a Gothic one, but its exterior remains unchanged otherwise.

The spacious and bright interior of the church enchants the visitor. In addition to the frescoes by Ogrin and Koželjev, which adorn the church walls, the greatest treasures are the altars; two of the side altars (of St Stephen and St Anthony of Padua), with their exquisite carvings and paintings, are among the most beautiful. With its harmonious beauty, the central altar also rivals similar ones in other parts of the country. Regrettably, thieves have also reached this place, stealing a precious depiction of the Holy Trinity, the work of Baroque master Valentin Metzinger. The church is surrounded by a wall that incorporates thirteen chapels, once adorned with Stations of the Cross by Layer, built around 1700. In the 18th century, the church was a popular destination that attracted numerous pilgrims. Guided tours of the interior are available for groups by prior arrangement.

The Legend
Looking at the church, many wonder what spurred the people of Vrhnika to build such a large and magnificent church on the top of the hill. Legend has it that there was once a shepherdess who grazed her sheep on this hill. One day, the sheep all disappeared at once, and after a long search she found the whole flock at the top of a hill. The sheep were gathered around a prayer card with a picture of the Holy Trinity. It was as if they were praying before her.

The same happened again the next day. Then the shepherdess picked up the card and took it to the local parish priest. She told him how she had twice found the sheep gathered around the card. The parish priest put the card in his prayer book. The next day, however, the sheep were back in the same place. So was the prayer card the shepherdess had given to the parish priest the day before. She picked it up and took it to him. He looked at his prayer book, which turned out to be empty ...

The unusual event was seen by the people as a sign that a votive church dedicated to the Holy Trinity should be built on the spot where it all happened.

The story, also related by Cankar, says that the shepherdess helped with the construction. She carried water from the Ljubljanica to the church atop the hill. One day she tripped and fell so badly that she died. Her skull is said to have been incorporated into the masonry behind the main altar, and if one listens closely at the opening behind the altar, the sound of water will be heard ...