Church of St. John the Baptist was built on the spot of the ancient Roman cemetery. Maybe the first beginnings of the church go back into Roman times. Ajdovščina was first mentioned in year 1507 and at that time the church was already here.

The oldest year, carved in the church, is year 1559 above the right pillar, which supports the choir. Beside is the emblem and name Mathia Sherer. Above left pillar is carved the coat of arms and year 1769.

Main altar was made in year 1730 by Pasquale Lazzarini for Franciscan monastery in Gorizia. As the emperor Joseph II. abolished the monastery, the altar was in year 1811 bought to Ajdovščina.

The central statue in the middle of the altar represents St. Francis of Assisi. On the right side is a statue of St. Louise and on the left is a statue of St. Bonaventura. At the top of the altar is in the middle a statue of Mary of the Assumption. And at the sides are sculptures representing three theological virtues: faith, hope and love.

Two altars from black marble were made in year 1699 by the sculptor Michael Kussa. The right one is dedicated to St. Rok. On altar painting is St. Rok, St. Anthony of Padua and Francis of Assisi.

Black altar on the left side of the church rapidly changed its patron saints. First, it was dedicated to Mary, then to St. Barbara and now to the Heart of Jesus. On the top of the altar is an oval picture of St. Nicholas. Beneath is the inscription 16.

Altar of St. Joseph is under the choir on the left side. It was made around 1774, when Ajdovščina compatriot Anton Cebej painted a picture Death of St. Joseph.

Mary’s altar is on the right side in front of the choir and was probably carved in the same time as the main altar. At first there was an image of Lady of the Assumption. Today there is a wooden statue of Mary of Lourdes. At the sides are marble statues of St. Ignatius and St. Francis Xavier.

The largest Cebej’s work in the church is the Stations of the Cross, created in year 1770. It is one of the oldest and most known Baroque Stations of the Cross in Slovenia.

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Ajdovščina
Ajdovščina is a city in the central part of Vipava valley, at the confluence of the stream Hubelj and Lokavšček, on the contact of Ajdovščina field and flysch slope below Gora (Sinji peak, 1002 meters). The city lies along the main road, which through Ljubljana connects central Europe with northern Italy. [_Read more_]