Church of St. Daniel, Štanjel

Ok

The church of San Daniele (Stanjel precisely in Slovenian) is a much older building than the current appearance would suggest. The current construction dates back to the 16th century (the traces of the previous Gothic windows are clearly visible), but rests on older foundations, while the interior decorations are from the Baroque period. Outside are visible the coats of arms of the Italian noble family that has had the dominion of this area for years (and of which some burials are visible inside). Inside, the capitals of the triumphal arch are particularly noteworthy, in the form of faced lions and dragons. The curious "lemon" shape of the bell tower is thought to be due to the need, in the period of the Turkish invasions from the Adriatic up to here, to make the Turks think that it was the minaret of a mosque, and therefore to avoid possible attacks ( which, moreover, there have never been able to violate the walls to defend the city).