Monument of Peace and Observation Tower in Cerje

An awe-inspiring message in the midst of pristine Karst nature.

Above the Vipava Valley and the sea, on the edge of the Karst plateau, the Monument of peace rises skywards. It features a 25-metre tall monument and observation tower, harbouring precious treasures of history and art. This magnificent architecture is located at the heart of the natural amphitheatre, offering splendid views of all four points of the compass, namely of the Adriatic Sea, the Friuli Plains, the Julian Alps and the Vipava Valley.

This monumental seven-storey fort tells the story of Slovenian history, from the Freising Manuscripts (the oldest preserved document in the Slovenian language) through the turbulent times of World War I, which were painted on canvas ‘The Dance of Death and Life’ (also called the Slovenian Guernica) by the Slovenian painter Rudi Španzel, to the period of the anti-fascist movement TIGR and the Slovenian independence war.  The observation platform on top of the building symbolises looking out into the future. On the 3th and 4th floors the Peace Memorial hosts exhibitions by renowned artists.   

A trip to Cerje is an excellent opportunity to enjoy magnificent views, culture, tranquillity and peace to the full.