When driving from Ljubljana towards Ribnica and Kočevje, it is worth stopping at Nova Štifta. It is just a short detour in the direction of Sodražica village. Located on top of a hill (formerly called Brinov grič or Juniper hill), the church of the Assumption of Mary dominates the area. It must be one of the most beautiful churches in Slovenia. Definitely a worthy photo stop! I recently revisited it with my son.
The Nova Štifta Church
The church dates back to the mid-17th century and was commissioned by the local lord from Ribnica, Jurij Khisl. The baroque church features an octagonal nave with an impressive 20m high dome. The size of the church is evident not only in its high bell tower but also in its width. It looks massive, much larger than one would expect in this unassuming countryside. Nowadays, the church is managed by Franciscan monks who reside in the adjacent building. I visited this place a few times before, also as a child. I always loved the tree house, located on an ancient linden tree in front of the church. My son was delighted that the house is still accessible by steep wooden stairs, and we climbed all the way up.
Photographing the Church
When my son and I arrived, it was snowing. A fresh layer of snow covered everything, and I wanted to capture this from the air. From the air, I was able to capture the size of the church even better. And the octagonal nave is clearly visible from the sky. Next, I focused on the exterior, aiming to capture the church, the linden tree, and the tree house in one photo. I think winter is the best time to photograph here, as it reveals the tree house nicely. Luckily, the church was unlocked, so I photographed the interior as well. A wide-angle lens was my choice; however, there are enough interesting details that one can capture with a longer lens. In conclusion, this short trip was very successful in terms of photography.
Where to go from Nova Štifta
In addition, one can visit nearby areas such as Ribnica’s old town and its castle. Next, nearby, there are two of my favourite regions to photograph nature, Kočevsko and Notranjska. Or you can extend your trip all the way to Bela Krajina and the Kolpa River!
2 comments
Amazingly beautiful photos!!!
Thank you Marina!