Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica in Nova Gorica

The Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica stands on a hill above Nova Gorica and represents an important sacral and historical complex dating from the 17th century. The monastic church, with its rich Baroque stucco decoration and paintings, forms the architectural focal point of the ensemble. The complex was severely damaged during the First World War and in the 1976 earthquake, and has recently undergone comprehensive restoration aimed at preserving its historical layers and artistic furnishings.

Beneath the church presbytery lies the tomb of the French royal House of Bourbon, including Charles X, the last French king of this dynasty not buried in the Basilica of Saint-Denis in Paris. The complex is further complemented by the Škrabec Library, which houses around 11,500 volumes, including numerous incunabula and a valuable original copy of Bohorič’s Grammar, the first grammar of the Slovene language.

In 2024, the Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica in Nova Gorica was designated a cultural monument of national importance.