Šempeter pri Gorici

First mentioned in 1319, Šempeter pri Gorici was long a suburb of Gorica. In 1998, it became an independent municipality, along with its neighbouring town of Vrtojba, after separating from Nova Gorica. Covering just 15 square kilometres, it is one of the smallest – and also one of the wealthiest – municipalities in Slovenia.

At the centre of the town, on Ivan Rob Square, stands the parish church of St Peter (on the right in the photo), designed by Maks Fabiani as part of post-war urban redevelopment following the devastation of the Soča Front. It was consecrated by Archbishop Frančišek Borgia Sedej of Gorizia in 1929. The first church here is mentioned as early as the 13th century.

Behind the square is the mansion of the Šempeter branch of the Coronini family. Dating from the 17th century, it was also renovated by Fabiani in 1930. Johann Baptist Coronini-Cronberg (1794–1880) moved here after his political career ended in 1865. He held high military and administrative positions in the Habsburg Monarchy and, between 1836 and 1848, tutored the future Emperor Franz Joseph. His son, Franz Coronini (1833–1901), long-serving mayor of Šempeter, president of the Goriška Agricultural Society, provincial governor, and member of the Imperial Parliament, also lived here.

The Coronini family later sold the mansion to the Italian state. It first served as a boarding school for the sons of fallen Italian pilots, then as a military hospital during the Second World War. After the war, it became the first home of today’s Dr Franc Derganc General Hospital, whose archives are still housed there.

The hospital remains the only one in the Slovenian Goriška region and, with its size and vivid façade colours, is among the area’s most striking buildings. Built between 1971 and 1985, it was designed by Biro 71 using polyester façade panels, while local painter and graphic artist Danilo Jejčič (Ajdovščina, 1933–2025) created the colour composition in his distinctive style.

Today, the municipality also features a major motorway border crossing and a large industrial zone.

Avtor: Blaž Kosovel

Kraj: Šempeter pri Gorici