Magnificent St. Zeno

If you are coming to Brtonigla, you can enjoy seeing the unforgettable landscapes and city sights, such as the church and the square. Don’t miss a visit to the Church of St. Zenon, the patron saint of Brtonigla, which is located in the very centre of town.

St. Zenon – patron saint of Brtonigla

The parish church in Brtonigla was named after St. Zeno, an early Christian bishop from Verona, who is also a patron saint of this Istrian town. It is generally considered that St. Zeno was a native of North Africa. During his 10-year service as a bishop, he carried out several reforms of church customs.

History and description of the church

The inside of St. Zeno's church in Brtonigla is light and clear. The ceiling is flat, the apse is polygonal and the side walls are decorated with marble altars, made in neo-baroque style. A small vestibule is located between the entrance portal and the main church area.

There are two larger windows at the front, while the decoration beneath the roof cornice was built as an array of hanging arches. The high, peaked belfry rises from the middle of the front, and on each side of the belfry, there are two small spires which imitate it.

St Zeno was built between 1859 and 1861 at the location of the similar older church which some sources date back to 1480. Although there were some indications back in the 16th century that the old church might have been expanded, that did not happen until the second half of the 19th century, when the building received its present shape.

In the second half of 20th century, a statue of St. Zeno reading the missal was added above the front portal. The statue is a masterpiece of the academic sculptor Aleksandar Rukavina, a great aficionado of this area.

Park beside the church

A small park with a lawn, flowers and several benches was recently arranged next to this church in the centre of the town. Among the local population, it has already been accepted as a spot for siesta and relaxation in the hot summer days, while the guests and travellers can here, next to the church, experience a part of the authentic life in this city and its inhabitants.

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