Col (pronounced [ˈtsɔu̯]; archaic Podvelb,[2] Italian: Zolla,[3] German: Zoll[2][4]) is a settlement on the edge of a karst plateau overlooking the Vipava Valley in the Municipality of Ajdovščina in the traditional Inner Carniola region of Slovenia.[4] It is now generally regarded as part of the Slovenian Littoral. A Roman road led through the settlement. Its location overlooking the valley on the main route leading inland was used in the Middle Ages and later as a checkpoint between the Littoral region and Carniola. Trilek Castle is located on the eastern outskirts of the village.

Col
Podvelb (archaic)
Col is located in Slovenia
Col
Col
Location in Slovenia
Coordinates: 45°52′48.44″N 14°0′7″E / 45.8801222°N 14.00194°E / 45.8801222; 14.00194
Country Slovenia
Traditional regionInner Carniola
Statistical regionGorizia
MunicipalityAjdovščina
Area
 • Total2.62 km2 (1.01 sq mi)
Elevation
611.3 m (2,005.6 ft)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total504
[1]

Name edit

The settlement was first attested in written sources as Zoll oder Podgweld and Zoll oder Podgwelb in 1763–1787. The Slovene name Col is borrowed from Middle High German zol (modern German Zoll) 'toll' or 'customs duty'.[3][5] Col is located on the border between the historical Habsburg crown lands of Carniola and Gorizia and was a collection point for tolls.[3] Col was originally known as Podvelb (German: Podgwelb; literally, 'below the arch') in reference to a castle that formerly stood near Saint Leonard's Church.[2][6]

Trilek Castle edit

 
Trilek Castle

Trilek Castle stands west of the center of Col. It was used for defensive purposes against Ottoman attacks, and it was owned by the Abramsberg noble family, resident in Šturje.[6] The castle is now in ruins dating from the 16th century,[7] and only the tower is preserved. Archaeological finds at Trilek Castle include a Roman milestone that was found in the 19th century; it bears a dedication to Julian the Apostate and is held by the National Museum of Slovenia. Roman coins dating from the second century AD have also been found at the castle.[6]

Church edit

The parish church in the settlement is dedicated to Saint Leonard and belongs to the Diocese of Koper.[8]

References edit

  1. ^ Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia
  2. ^ a b c "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. 24.
  3. ^ a b c Snoj, Marko (2009). Etimološki slovar slovenskih zemljepisnih imen. Ljubljana: Modrijan. p. 91.
  4. ^ a b Leksikon občin kraljestev in dežel zastopanih v državnem zboru, vol. 6: Kranjsko. Vienna: C. Kr. Dvorna in Državna Tiskarna. 1906. p. 140.
  5. ^ Ajdovščina municipal site Archived 2011-05-15 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b c Savnik, Roman (1968). Krajevni leksikon Slovenije, vol. 1. Ljubljana: Državna založba Slovenije. p. 21.
  7. ^ "Col - Graščina Trilek". Register kulturne dediščine. Ministrstvo za kulturo. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  8. ^ Koper Diocese list of churches Archived March 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine

External links edit