Church of St. Jurij

The Church of St. Jurij stands on a small hill in the center of the village of Jurovski Dol. This Gothic parish church has been rebuilt several times, mainly in the late Baroque style. It was named after St. Jurij, the patron saint of knights, soldiers, as well as farmers, cattle breeders, and winegrowers (a beautiful relief of a grapevine can be seen on the church tower). The church was first mentioned in 1388. The present parish church, with its central Gothic nave accompanied by two younger side aisles, was built in 1501. Before the Turkish invasion in 1532, the tower was rebuilt, as evidenced by the year 1528 carved into the church belfry. The church is supported by buttresses, and the bell tower stands in front of the church. Side chapels were added on both the left and right sides. Between 1784 and 1786, during the church reforms of Emperor Joseph II, the Jurovski Dol parish became independent.

The church is distinguished by its harmonious interior and rich furnishings, which include three altars. The main altar, dedicated to the parish’s patron St. Jurij, is in the Neo-Gothic style. The lower part of the altar was crafted by master Janez Kurnik from Radovljica in 1907, while the upper part was made by Jože Holzinger. This altar was restored and fully gilded in 2003/04. In the southern chapel stands the altar of St. Janez and St. Pavel, restored in 2007, while the northern chapel houses the altar of the Holy Family, restored in 2006 to its original appearance. The church features a Way of the Cross from 1908, depicting the Passion of Christ. The chapels were painted with frescoes in 1905. The presbytery, covered by a star-shaped vault, features five colorful Gothic windows. In 1932, the Church of St. Jurij underwent renovation, including the restoration of the altars, pulpit, and organ. On August 21, 1993, new organs were installed, brought from Brestovec near Rogaška Slatina, crafted by master organ builder Anton Škrabi. In August 1999, the church received three new bronze bells.

On the southern side of the church, a commemorative plaque honors the priest and national awakener of Carinthian Slovenes, Gregor Einspieler.