Country Slovenia Statistical region Central Slovenia Elevation 347 m Local time Friday 2:27 AM | Traditional region Upper Carniola Municipality Komenda Area 240 ha Population 896 (2012) | |
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Weather 1°C, Wind W at 3 km/h, 84% Humidity | ||
Komenda ([kɔˈmɛːnda]; German: Commenda) is a village in the Upper Carniola region of Slovenia. It is the seat of the Municipality of Komenda. It includes the formerly independent settlement of Kaplja Vas (Slovene: Kapla vas, German: Kaplawas).
Contents
Map of 1218 Komenda, Slovenia
Name
Komenda was first mentioned in written sources in 1147–54 as de sancto Petro (and as hospitale Sancti Petri in 1296, in der pharren von Sand Peter in 1322, and comendator ad S. Petrum in 1446). The name of the village is identical to the Slovene common noun komenda 'commandry', referring to a property and residence owned by the Knights Hospitaller from 1223 to 1872. The noun komenda is borrowed (probably via German Kommende) from Medieval Latin commenda 'entrusted property'. In the past the German name was Commenda.
Mass grave
Komenda is the site of a mass grave from the period immediately after the Second World War. The Svešek Alder Mass Grave (Slovene: Grobišče Sveščeva jelša) is located at the edge of the Svešek Alder Woods (Sveščeva Jelša) along a forest road northwest of Žeje pri Komendi. It contains the remains of 10 to 15 prisoners from Kamnik murdered in May and June 1945. Their nationalities and whether they were soldiers or civilians is unknown.
Church
Above the settlement is a complex with a castle, the parish church dedicated to Saint Peter, a parsonage, stables and a cemetery. A church in Komenda was first referred to in documents dating to 1147, however in 1726 the old church was pulled down to make way for the new building. The current one was built in the Baroque style until 1729 upon the plans by the architect Gregor Maček, Jr. The interior and the surroundings were redesigned in the first half of the 20th century upon the plans by the architect Jože Plečnik.
Notable people
Notable people that were born or lived in Komenda include: