Dolenja Vas, Cerknica

Dolenja Vas (pronounced [dɔˈleːnja ˈʋaːs]; Slovene: Dolenja vas, German: Niederdorf[2][3]) is a village southwest of Cerknica in the Inner Carniola region of Slovenia.[4]

Dolenja Vas
Village
Dolenja Vas is located in Slovenia
Dolenja Vas
Dolenja Vas
Location in Slovenia
Coordinates: 45°47′13.08″N 14°20′52.47″E
Country Slovenia
Traditional regionInner Carniola
Statistical regionLittoral–Inner Carniola
MunicipalityCerknica
Area
 • Total5.9 km2 (2.3 sq mi)
Elevation
554.6 m (1,819.6 ft)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total499
 • Density85/km2 (220/sq mi)
[1]

Name

The name Dolenja vas literally means 'lower village'. Dolenja vas and names like it are quite common in Slovenia and other Slavic countries, and they indicate that the settlement lay at a lower elevation than nearby settlements.[5] It lies about 20 meters (66 ft) lower than neighboring Cerknica. The village was known as Niederdorf in German in the past.[2]

History

Ancient settlement of the area is testified by the discovery of the remains of a Hallstatt- or Roman-era fortress on Tržišče Hill above the village. The site included a large cache of weapons. An Urnfield burial site was discovered on the southeast slope of the hill and was excavated in 1877. Southwest of this there was a second fortress, the embankments of which are well preserved.[6]

Mass grave

Dolenja Vas is the site of a mass grave associated with the Second World War. The Balant Valleys Shaft Mass Grave (Slovene: Grobišče Brezno v Balantovih dolinah) is located southwest of the settlement. The narrow shaft has been explored to a depth of 25 m (82 ft) and contains unidentified remains.[7]

Church

The local church, built southwest of the settlement, is dedicated to Saint Lawrence and belongs to the Parish of Cerknica.[8] The church dates from 1616 and contains a gilded altar dedicated to Saint Margaret.[6]

Notable people

Notable people that were born or lived in Dolenja Vas include:

  • Lojze Perko (1909–1980), artist[6]
  • Franjo Sterle (1889–1930), painter[6]

References
  1. "Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia". Archived from the original on 2004-02-17. Retrieved 2009-03-05.
  2. "Uebersicht der in Folge a. h. Entschließung vom 26. Juli 1849 genehmigten provisorischen Gerichtseintheilung des Kronlandes Krain". Intelligenzblatt zur Laibacher Zeitung. No. 141. November 24, 1849. p. 15.
  3. Leksikon občin kraljestev in dežel zastopanih v državnem zboru, vol. 6: Kranjsko. 1906. Vienna: C. Kr. Dvorna in Državna Tiskarna, p. 120.
  4. "Cerknica municipal site". Archived from the original on 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2009-03-05.
  5. Snoj, Marko. 2009. Etimološki slovar slovenskih zemljepisnih imen. Ljubljana: Modrijan and Založba ZRC, pp. 116–117.
  6. Savnik, Roman (1968). Krajevni leksikon Slovenije, vol. 1. Ljubljana: Državna založba Slovenije. p. 415.
  7. Ferenc, Mitja (December 2009). "Grobišče Brezno v Balantovih dolinah". Geopedia (in Slovenian). Ljubljana: Služba za vojna grobišča, Ministrstvo za delo, družino in socialne zadeve. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  8. "Družina RC Church in Slovenia Journal website". Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2009-03-05.


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