As part of the Kaštelir Project, co-financed by the ERDF under the Interreg V-A Slovenia-Croatia Cooperation Program, two sets of stone benches and a unique drinking fountain were created and installed at the top of Turna Hill in Štanjel. The benches were designed by stone design “masters” under the guidance of architect Anton Marn, Univ. Dipl. Ing. Arch., under the auspices of Inkubator Sežana d.o.o. and the Sežana Higher Vocational College – Materials Design Program.

Date or duration of the project: 14. 11. 2020 – 30. 6. 2021

Urban equipment included:

• Stone benches: Two sets of stone benches, placed in accordance with the project specifications on the north and south sides of Gledanica.
• Stone drinking fountain: Manufacture and installation of a unique stone drinking fountain.

The urban furniture is positioned as a MONUMENT to the hillforts/castles from the period of prehistoric communities and the way of life in the Bronze Age (around 1600 BC) and the Iron Age (between 1000 and 500 BC). One of the many such hillforts, of which there are more than 500 from Kras to Kvarner, was also located at Turna in Štanjel. Here, visitors can stop, enjoy the magnificent views in all directions, sit on stone benches, and enjoy the peace, sounds, and scents of the Karst throughout all four seasons.

The monument to hillforts, built both on hills and in lowlands, contributes to the unique cultural landscape of the Karst, Brkini, Čička, Istria, and Kvarner regions, full of fortified settlements, stone fences, walls, paths, cart tracks, large hills and valleys, and other similar stone formations. The monument reminds us that we have a duty to protect and preserve this rich heritage for future generations. The installation focuses on local stone and the stonemasonry craft, which has played an important role throughout history in presenting and shaping cultural heritage.

The creation of urban furniture was recorded by photography and film “masters” from the Sežana Higher Vocational College – photography program. In addition to stone benches, a unique stone drinking fountain was also created as part of the project.