Church of Saint Trojica with Franciscan Monastery

On a hill surrounded by greenery and trees reigns the Church of Saint Trojica, after which the settlement received its name. With its three bell towers, it greets locals from afar and invites weary travelers to visit. In 1631 a wooden chapel once stood here, but stories of three mysterious lights appearing to people began to spread. A decision was made to build a church, constructed between 1636 and 1643. It was almost three times smaller than the present one, reaching only as far as today’s pulpit. Of that original church, only the bell tower (next to the main altar), part of the nave, and a bell from 1666—now displayed in the presbytery—remain.

In 1663 the church was entrusted to the Augustinian monks. With the support of the Negova nobleman Traunmansdorf, they enlarged it and in 1667 re-consecrated it, building a monastery on its southern side. With financial support from Count Drašković, the construction of a new church began in 1735 and was consecrated in 1772. The two bell towers facing the square were added between 1779 and 1780, at which time the church was also connected to the monastery.

When Emperor Joseph II banned pilgrimages, church revenues dropped significantly, making it difficult for the Augustinians to survive. At their request, the monastery was closed in 1787, and Holy Trinity became one of the parishes of the Lenart deanery. The monks left in 1811, leaving the parish to diocesan priests. In 1854 the Franciscan friars took over the parish, and they continue to serve it to this day. In 1885 the bell tower at the high altar regained its former dome, which had been blown away by strong winds in 1796.

The church is a Baroque masterpiece. While the building as a whole is not stylistically uniform, its interior forms a magnificent unity. The splendid Baroque high altar, with its powerful columns, statues, angelic figures, and the famous painting above depicting the mystery of the Holy Trinity, dates from 1752–1756 and ranks among the three largest in Slovenia. The six side altars are equally remarkable. Another unique feature is the renowned Loreto Chapel with the statue of the Black Madonna and Child, added in 1693 as a thanksgiving for the end of Turkish incursions into the region. The sanctuary was decorated in 1883–1884 by Jakob Brollo and Osvald and Egidij Bieri.

The monastery houses a rich library and a museum, while its cellar serves as a protocol and exhibition center.

The legend of the three little lights that appeared to people at the foot of the hill, where the church now stands, tells of the beginnings of the magnificent Holy Trinity Church, which today amazes pilgrims and visitors with its Baroque architecture. Its interior, though the building itself is architecturally diverse, radiates a unique Baroque harmony. At the center of the church rises the imposing high altar, with grand columns and angelic figures, crowned by the famous painting of the Holy Trinity.

Next to the church stands the Franciscan Monastery, home to one of the most valuable libraries in Slovenia, containing more than 3,000 books dating from before the year 1800. Among them are works from the 15th century, bearing witness to the rich history and cultural heritage of the area. The monastery also houses a museum and a monastic cellar, which complement the site’s profound spiritual and cultural legacy.