Col (; archaic ''Podvelb'', it, Zolla, german: Zoll) is a settlement on the edge of a

karst Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. It has also been documented for more weathering-resistant ro ...

plateau overlooking the Vipava Valley in the Municipality of Ajdovščina in the traditional Inner Carniola region of Slovenia. It is now generally regarded as part of the

Slovenian Littoral The Slovene Littoral ( sl, Primorska, ; it, Litorale; german: Küstenland) is one of the five traditional regions of Slovenia. Its name recalls the former Austrian Littoral (''Avstrijsko Primorje''), the Habsburg possessions on the upper Ad ...

. A

Roman road Roman roads ( la, viae Romanae ; singular: ; meaning "Roman way") were physical infrastructure vital to the maintenance and development of the Roman state, and were built from about 300 BC through the expansion and consolidation of the Roman Re ...

led through the settlement. Its location overlooking the valley on the main route leading inland was used in the Middle Ages and later as a checkpoint between the Littoral region and

Carniola Carniola ( sl, Kranjska; , german: Krain; it, Carniola; hu, Krajna) is a historical region that comprised parts of present-day Slovenia. Although as a whole it does not exist anymore, Slovenes living within the former borders of the region sti ...

Trilek Castle Trilek Castle ( sl, Grad Trilek or ''Graščina Trilek''), also known as Old Castle ( sl, Stari grad), is a small castle or fort in the settlement of Col, in the Municipality of Ajdovščina in southwest Slovenia. Built in the early 16th century ...

is located on the eastern outskirts of the village.

Name

The settlement was first attested in written sources as ''Zoll oder Podgweld'' and ''Zoll oder Podgwelb'' in 1763–1787. The Slovene name ''Col'' is borrowed from Middle High German ''zol'' (modern German ''Zoll'') ' toll' or ' customs duty'. Col is located on the border between the historical

Habsburg The House of Habsburg (), alternatively spelled Hapsburg in Englishgerman: Haus Habsburg, ; es, Casa de Habsburgo; hu, Habsburg család, it, Casa di Asburgo, nl, Huis van Habsburg, pl, dom Habsburgów, pt, Casa de Habsburgo, la, Domus Hab ...

crown land Crown land (sometimes spelled crownland), also known as royal domain, is a territorial area belonging to the monarch, who personifies the Crown. It is the equivalent of an entailed estate and passes with the monarchy, being inseparable from it. ...

s of

and Gorizia and was a collection point for tolls. Col was originally known as ''Podvelb'' (german: Podgwelb; literally, 'below the arch') in reference to a castle that formerly stood near Saint Leonard's Church.

Trilek Castle

Trilek Castle stands west of the center of Col. It was used for defensive purposes against Ottoman attacks, and it was owned by the Abramsberg noble family, resident in

Šturje Šturje (; in older sources also ''Sturja'', german: Sturia, it, Sturie delle Fusine) is a formerly independent settlement in the Municipality of Ajdovščina The Municipality of Ajdovščina (; sl, Občina Ajdovščina) is a municipality wit ...

. The castle is now in ruins dating from the 16th century, and only the tower is preserved. Archaeological finds at Trilek Castle include a Roman milestone that was found in the 19th century; it bears a dedication to

Julian the Apostate Julian ( la, Flavius Claudius Julianus; grc-gre, Ἰουλιανός ; 331 – 26 June 363) was Roman emperor from 361 to 363, as well as a notable philosopher and author in Greek. His rejection of Christianity, and his promotion of Neoplato ...

and is held by the National Museum of Slovenia. Roman coins dating from the second century AD have also been found at the castle.

Church

The parish church in the settlement is dedicated to

Saint Leonard Leonard of Noblac (also Leonard of Limoges or Leonard of Noblet; also known as Lienard, Linhart, Leonhard, Léonard, Leonardo, Annard; died 559), is a Frankish saint closely associated with the town and abbey of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, in Haut ...

and belongs to the Diocese of Koper.Koper Diocese list of churches

References

External links

*
Col on Geopedia
Populated places in the Municipality of Ajdovščina {{Ajdovščina-geo-stub