The Church of Mary's Visitations in Špitalič

Fees:

Visit to the church is free of charge

Working hours:

A tour of the church can be previously arranged at the TIC – Tourist Information Centre of Slovenske Konjice, Stari trg 27, 3210 Slovenske Konjice

T: +386 (0)3 759 31 10

M: +386 (0)51 444 141

E: info@tickonjice.si

The Church of Mary's Visitations in Špitalič is in fact the heritage left behind in the hidden Valley of John the Baptist by the unprecedented Žiče Charterhouse. The church is the so-called Ecclesia minor, or the lower church of this monumental monastery, which served the needs of the lay brethren.

Žiče Charterhouse divided in 3 parts from the beginning:

• Žiče Charterhouse, as we know it today in a tourist sense, represented the upper monastery, Domus superior.
• At the same time, a lower monastery was created for the lay brethren, Domus inferior.
• The lower monastery included the small church, Ecclesia minor, the Church of Mary's Visitations.

The Church of Mary's Visitations in Špitalič, an excellent monument of the late Romanesque period

The Church of Mary's Visitations in Špitalič was built around 1190. It is considered one of the most important monuments of the late Romanesque period. The exceptional quality of the design of these Romanesque elements easily puts it among the top ten churches of the best quality.

• Among the elements, the main portal with its lunette with the lamb stands out, because its left side expresses the Romanesque style and the right side already changes into more advanced early Gothic forms with foliage capitals, which can be also found in the church.
• At the same time, they also built seats in a two-seat niche for the priest.

Špitalič has a special name source

The quiet village of Špitalič, where the Church of Mary's Visitations is located, was named after the hospital or spital (German hospital) that was part of the Žiče Charterhouse complex.