Spodnje Škofije (; locally also ''Prva Škofija'',
; former Italian name: ''Albaro Vescovà'') is a settlement in the
City Municipality of Koper in the
Littoral region of
Slovenia
Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ...
. A major border crossing on the
Highway 5 into Italy was located here, with the Italian side known as Rabuiese.
Name
The name ''Spodnje Škofije'' literally means 'lower Škofije' (in contrast to neighboring
Zgornje Škofije; literally, 'upper Škofije'). Spodnje Škofije is also known locally as ''Prva Škofija'' 'first Škofija' ('second', 'third', and 'fourth' Škofija are hamlets of Zgornje Škofije).
The name ''Škofija'' (literally, 'diocese') is derived from the common noun ''škof'' 'bishop', and the numbering refers to tenant farms originally owned by the Diocese of Koper.
History
Historically linked to
Muggia (now in
Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
), Spodnje Škofije was under the rule of the
Patriarchs of Aquileia during most of the Middle Ages, until passing under
Venetian rule in the 15th century. It remained part of the
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice, officially the Most Serene Republic of Venice and traditionally known as La Serenissima, was a sovereign state and Maritime republics, maritime republic with its capital in Venice. Founded, according to tradition, in 697 ...
until its dissolution in 1797. After that, it passed under the
Habsburg monarchy
The Habsburg monarchy, also known as Habsburg Empire, or Habsburg Realm (), was the collection of empires, kingdoms, duchies, counties and other polities (composite monarchy) that were ruled by the House of Habsburg. From the 18th century it is ...
and the
French Empire before being absorbed into the
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire, officially known as the Empire of Austria, was a Multinational state, multinational European Great Powers, great power from 1804 to 1867, created by proclamation out of the Habsburg monarchy, realms of the Habsburgs. Duri ...
in 1813. During the
Austro-Hungarian period, it was part of the province of
Istria within the
Austrian Littoral. According to the last Austrian census of 1910, 63.3% of the population was ethnically
Slovene, and 34.6% was
Istrian Italians. After
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, it became part of Italy and it was incorporated into the
Province of Trieste. After the war, it was part of the
Free Territory of Trieste and it was under Anglo-American military administration until 1954, when it was ceded to
Yugoslavia
, common_name = Yugoslavia
, life_span = 1918–19921941–1945: World War II in Yugoslavia#Axis invasion and dismemberment of Yugoslavia, Axis occupation
, p1 = Kingdom of SerbiaSerbia
, flag_p ...
. During the
Ten Day War, fighting between the
Yugoslav federal army and
Slovenian defense forces took place near Škofije.
Church
The
parish church
A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the Church (building), church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in com ...
in the settlement is dedicated to the
Sacred Heart.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Koper List of Churches May 2008
References
External links
Spodnje Škofije on Geopedia
Populated places in the Urban Municipality of Koper
Italy–Slovenia border crossings
{{Koper-geo-stub