Pictures from Slovenia

[M.R.]

Triglav, the highest Slovenian mountain



Piran, coastal town



Vinyard from Štajerska (Styria) region



Lipica horses



Lake Bohinj



Lake Bled



Bled Vintgar Gorge



Kanin



The Savica Waterfall



Soča River



Ljubljana, the capital city



Jezersko

[svin]

Franjo, thanks for the photos, I'd very appreciate some photos from Pokljuka. Watching biathlon world cup, this place never stops to impress me. Very beautiful part of Slovenia.

[M.R.]

Originally Posted by svin

Franjo, thanks for the photos, I'd very appreciate some photos from Pokljuka. Watching biathlon world cup, this place never stops to impress me. Very beautiful part of Slovenia.

Thanks svin! I have many more photos to post, but I had to go to lunch before.

Slovenia is beautiful because it has almoust everything -- beautiful mountains (Julian Alps) in north-west, see-side and Mediterranean climate in south-west, Karst landscape in the south and very flat landscape in the north-east (Panonia) from where all my ancestors come from, simmilar to Hungarian landscape.

Pictures I posted in the first post are mostly from north-west Slovenia, Gorenjska region (upper Carniola).

Here's something from Styria (Štajerska) region, eastern Slovenia















Lent





Ptuj, the oldest Slovenian city





Maribor



Pohorje

[Susi]

They're all so pretty. Do you mind if I add a few of my own from my trip to Slovenia? I went to Ljubjana and Lake Bled...

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Franjo Malgaj

Lent

I think that I was near this town. Is there a small castle nearby, where the pit around the castle has been turned into a small golf course?

[M.R.]

Originally Posted by Susi

They're all so pretty. Do you mind if I add a few of my own from my trip to Slovenia?

Of course not. You are free to post them.

Regards

Originally Posted by Quasigodo Garcia

I think that I was near this town. Is there a small castle nearby, where the pit around the castle has been turned into a small golf course?

This is not town actually, but old part of Maribor city, which is called Lent.

You have probably mistaken Maribor for Ptuj, the oldest Slovenian city which is few km away from Maribor.

Is this the golf court you are talking about?



Or maybe this one (Mokrice, southern Slovenia)?

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Franjo Malgaj

Or maybe this one (Mokrice, southern Slovenia)?

This is the one!

I spent one night there. At the time it was cheap because Slovenja was not a tourist spot yet. Now it must be an expensive hotel. Very nice.

Unfortunately my camera was stolen in Budapest, so I couldn't take any pictures.

[M.R.]

Originally Posted by Quasigodo Garcia

Unfortunately my camera was stolen in Budapest, so I couldn't take any pictures.

You had nice holidays -- Budapest + Slovenia.

I was to Budapest 2 times, beautiful city.

[Menydh]

It was some unforgettable holidays. We drove from Spain to Germany's Schwartz Wald. The next day we drove to Cesky Krumlov, in the Czech Republic. We visited Ceske Budejovice (Budweiser ) and then went to Plzen (Pilsen ) and Karlovy Vary. Then, Prague and Brno.

We then drove to Bratislava (Slovakia) and from there to Hungary. Gyor first, then Budapest and finally the Balaton Lake (disappointing, it was full of German tourits and made it look like yet another tourist place).

We drove through Croatia, stopping at Zagreb. Then to Slovenia, where we stayed first in Koper or Izola (can't remember which one, only that it was a beautiful coastal town, with a beautiful architecure, both). We visited Ljubljana and then spent a night in Mokrice.

Now you can see how terrible it was that the camera was stolen in Budapest.

And yes, Budapest was beautiful and the people very nice (except for the b'stard who stole my camera ).

[Susi]

Okay. Just a few problems with my pictures (they are very "high" quality, so they are quite big) so I am just putting the links to them and I'll put what they are underneath the links. All of these pictures were taken in July of 2006.

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7020178.JPG

A building over a petrol station in an orangey hue in Ljubjana. I felt the colours matched the scene.

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7030189.JPG

The statue in the main square in Ljubjana (if I recall correctly). The green makes the statue stand out more.

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7030200.JPG

Steps in Ljubjanski Grad (If I got the name wrong, Franjo, please correct me.). I liked how this made them look really old, this effect.

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7030210.JPG

At the top of Ljubjanski Grad (again, correct me if I am wrong with the name). I like the geometric lines in comparison with the green flag which is quite flowy.

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7050254.JPG

Lake Bled. Nice clear water.

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7050264.JPG

The mountains near Lake Bled. Very pretty.

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7050268.JPG

Castle Bled (sorry I don't know this one in Slovenian). I think it would be beautiful in the snowfall...

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7050275.JPG

Lake Bled from the Castle Bled. This image always makes me glad because it's so scenic.

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7050276.JPG

A town called Kropa that had a neat blacksmith's shop and really awesome atmosphere.

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7030187.JPG

Buildings in Ljubjana. I think they're located by the statue (the one with the green tint from a previous photo).

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7030194.JPG

Ljubjanski Grad again. Very stylish.

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7030226.JPG

Ljubjanski Grad from the distance.

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7050253.JPG

And Lake Bled again, a close one of the island.

Um, I hope I didn't make any mistakes with the names... and if you want to use any of my pictures on like a website or something like that just ask me first, kay? I'm just paranoid about people stealing my work...

[M.R.]

Thanks for posting pics, they're beautiful.

Originally Posted by Susi

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7030189.JPG

The statue in the main square in Ljubjana (if I recall correctly). The green makes the statue stand out more.

Yes, it's correct. It's Prešeren statue, Prešeren was most famous Slovenian poet.

Originally Posted by Susi

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7030200.JPG

Steps in Ljubjanski Grad (If I got the name wrong, Franjo, please correct me.). I liked how this made them look really old, this effect.

Yes Ljubljanski Grad is correct.

Originally Posted by Susi

Castle Bled (sorry I don't know this one in Slovenian). I think it would be beautiful in the snowfall...

Castle Bled = Blejski Grad.

And yes, it's beautiful in snow, when the lake is frozen you can walk on ice to that island in the middle of the lake.

Originally Posted by Susi

http://chapeaux.thenewagemedia.com/P7050253.JPG

And Lake Bled again, a close one of the island.

I guess you are interested in paganism (your profile says 'asatru') - there was a pagan temple on that island until Christianization of Slovenia, when church was built.

Originally Posted by Susi

and if you want to use any of my pictures on like a website or something like that just ask me first, kay? I'm just paranoid about people stealing my work...

OK, I understand.

Originally Posted by Mynydd

It was some unforgettable holidays. We drove from Spain to Germany's Schwartz Wald. The next day we drove to Cesky Krumlov, in the Czech Republic. We visited Ceske Budejovice (Budweiser ) and then went to Plzen (Pilsen ) and Karlovy Vary. Then, Prague and Brno.

Ah, I see - you had a tour over whole central Europe, nice.

Originally Posted by Mynnyd

We then drove to Bratislava (Slovakia) and from there to Hungary. Gyor first, then Budapest and finally the Balaton Lake (disappointing, it was full of German tourits and made it look like yet another tourist place).

I guess there are some places which are full of tourists, but when I was to Balaton last time, I was in some quiet place with almoust no tourists where I had lunch.

Do you know that Balaton comes from Slovenian word - Blato. It was called Blatno jezero first, meaning 'mud lake'.

Originally Posted by Mynnyd

We drove through Croatia, stopping at Zagreb. Then to Slovenia, where we stayed first in Koper or Izola (can't remember which one, only that it was a beautiful coastal town, with a beautiful architecure, both).

It was probably Piran (coastal town, beautiful architecture).

Originally Posted by Mynnyd

except for the b'stard who stole my camera

Probably a gypsy (cigan).

[Susi]

Franjo -- thank you for the compliments on my pictures and for showing me some images of Lake Bled in the wintertime. I shall have to visit Slovenia again someday.

I was wondering if you could direct me to any resources on the Christianization of Slovenia... thank you.

[M.R.]

Originally Posted by Susi

I was wondering if you could direct me to any resources on the Christianization of Slovenia... thank you.

http://carantha.net/early_carantania__slovenia_.htm

Here you have something about Irish missionaries in Carantania (Slovenia).

Between 743 and 752, Pope Zacharias granted the See of Salzburg the right to the jurisdiction of Carantania. Thus, to this period belongs the most important occurrence in the history of the Carantanians or Slovenes: The beginning of their Christianization supported by their rulers, the dukes of Carantania. In around 745, the Avars' invasion was pressing inward from Pannonia towards Carantania. This compelled the Carantanian Duke Boruth to ask the Bavarians for assistance in repelling them. With Bavarian support, the Slovenes drove the Avars out of their territory.


However, according to Frankish governmental procedure, Bavarian assistance could only be given under the following conditions: The Carantanians must accept the Christian faith. In addition, they must recognize the supremacy of the Frankish kings, recognized as the protectors of Christian Europe, a duty which received papal approbation. Agreeing with these conditions, Duke Boruth sent hostages to Bavaria to show his good faith, among them were his son Carast and nephew Cheitmar (Gorazd and Hotimir in Slovenian). Boruth expressed his wish that both princes should be baptized and educated in the Christian faith.

When the bishopric of Salzburg fell vacant shortly before 748, St. Virgil (Fiorgil) became the new bishop there. During his time in office, he sent seven missionary expeditions into Carantania, laying the foundations for the parochial divisions of the missionary regions, with lasting effects until today. After Duke Boruth's death, the Franks ordered the Bavarians to return his son Carast to the Carantanians. When he returned, they proclaimed him as duke eum ducem facerunt.


He died already in 751, and was succeeded by his cousin Cheitmar. Cheitmar, who was accompanied by a young priest named Maioranus, invited Bishop Virgil to send missionaries into his country. St. Virgil launched an important mission comprised of Chorepiscopus Modestus and four priests, a deacon, and several other clerics, who founded a complete familia following the Irish pattern. Modestus became Apostle of the Slovenes in the truest sense of the word: he founded three ecclesiastical centers in Carantania along with other churches, the most important of them being the Ecclesia Sanctae Mariae in Solio, at Gospa Sveta or Maria Saal in present day Carinthia. It is believed that it was erected in 753, and was dedicated to our Lady of the Assumption. St. Modestus was interred in this church.


Modestus' death occurred around 767, and triggered the first outburst of open resistance against the foreign missionaries. Specifically, Carantanian aristocracy were losing their social privileges in the wake of Christianity spreading throughout the dukedom. Two rebellions followed; in 768 and 770; both were crushed by the Carantanian duke Waltunc (Valhun). Until Bishop Virgil's death in 784, six groups of missionaries were dispatched from Salzburg to Carantania, which became definitely Christianized.

On this link you have something about Slovenian pagan mythology,

http://carantha.net/slovenian_mythol...ajeslovje_.htm

Carantha.net is quite good site about Slovenian history and mostly in English.

BTW, Slovenian poet Prešeren (you saw his statue ) wrote a famous poem about Christianization, named 'Krst pri Savici' (roughly translated as 'Baptism near Savica', I posted pic of Savica waterfall early in this thread), the main hero is 'Črtomir' who defends his pagan faith against Valhun and his Christian army, and his girl Bogomila.


Bogomila, an illustration by Milogoj Dominko

an excerpt from the epic The Baptism at The Savica

The warring clouds have vanished from the skies;
The war of men has ended with the night.
The morning sun gilds the tree heads that rise
Supreme above the Carniola's snowpeaks white.
The lake of Bohinj calm in stillness lies,
No sign of strife remains to outward sight;
Yet in the lake the fierce pike never sleep,
nor other fell marauders of the deep.

Is not this lake upon whose bank you stand,
Brave Črtomir, the image of your soul?
The clash of arms has ceased throughout the land,
Yet in your breast the storms of war still roll.
If aught of life's dire ills I understand
The eternal worm takes yet more deadly toll,
Battens on lifeblood in its inner lair
And reawakes the harpies of despair.
http://www.preseren.net/ang/3_poezije/100_krst.asp


Lake Bohinj