The Church of St. Bartholomew on Jernej

The Church of St. Bartholomew on Jernej near Loče was already built in the 14th century. It is renowned for the unusual statue of St. Bartholomew who carries his own skin in his arms.

Fees:

Visit to the church is free of charge

Working hours:

A group tour can be previously arranged at the TIC - Tourist Information Centre of Slovenske Konjice, Stari trg 27, 3210 Slovenske Konjice

T: +386 (0)3 759 31 10

M: +386 (0)51 444 141

E: info@tickonjice.si

The smaller, but picturesque Church of St. Bartholomew lies at the top of a hill surrounded by vineyards and fields in the village of Sveti Jernej near Loče in the municipality of Slovenske Konjice. It had to be built in the 14th century, since the written sources refer to it as a Konjice branch in 1405.

Above the door you can read the inscription in Latin, meaning: »Here is the house of God and the heavenly door.«

Did you know?

When the church was built, its walls and the ceiling in the nave were one and a half meter lower than they are today, nevertheless the oldest walls are still preserved.
It did not even have a bell tower at the beginning, this was built only in the 18th century.

Who was Saint Bartholomew?

Saint Bartholomew was one of the Christ's 12 apostles and one of the three whom Jesus appeared to during his resurrection. He professed Christianity in India and Armenia, and in the latter he experienced martyrdom; his skin was removed from his body while still alive and he was crucified with head down.

Just like that, with the skin of his body and face in his right hand and a knife in his left hand, he is also depicted as a statue on the main altar in the Church of St. Bartholomew. The statue was most likely brought from the Žiče Charterhouse.