Country Slovenia Statistical region Savinja Area 154 ha Municipality Municipality of Šentjur | Traditional region Styria Elevation 331 m Population 162 (2002) | |
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Rifnik ([ˈɾiːfnik]) is a settlement in the Municipality of Šentjur in eastern Slovenia. It lies on Rifnik Hill just south of Šentjur. The area is part of the historical Styria region. The municipality is now included in the Savinja Statistical Region.
Contents
Map of 3230 Rifnik, Slovenia
Name
Rifnik was first attested in written sources in 1326 as Reichenekk (and as Reiheneck in 1335 and Reihnek in 1343). The name originally referred to the castle at the site, a compound formed from the Middle High German personal name Rîcho + egge 'hill, castle'. The name therefore originally meant 'Rîcho's castle'.
Archaeological park
On the hilltop above the settlement there is the Rifnik archaeological park with the permanent exhibition about the local prehistoric and ancient findings curated by the Celje Regional Museum.
Castle
The settlement is best known for its 13th-century castle. The castle was abandoned in the 17th century, but the remains of the residential part and the fortifications are still visible.