Chiesetta di San Leonardo Abate

Mother church of the three valleys of the Natisone, the parish church of Saint Leonard stands elevated above the village, on a terrace surrounded by centuries-old lime trees, offering a splendid view of the surroundings.

Its foundation predates the year one thousand, as the devotion to the saint may be of Frankish origin (11th–12th centuries). The church is elegant and welcoming in its workmanship; the bell tower, once turreted, now has a pitched roof, and the ringing of its bells marks time and announces the dead, with different sounds for males or females.

The entrance to the church is on the side: at the end of the central nave is the marble altar that supports, almost in triumph, a heavy marble frame with clouds and cherubs to highlight the canvas depicting Saint Leonard, Saint Sebastian, and Saint Roch. Then there are two gilded altars (zlati oltarij), eighteenth-century and of Slovenian tradition, dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Apollonia holding the pliers.

And two more with paintings dedicated to the Madonna, from the nineteenth century.

For information about opening times, please contact the Pro Loco Nediške Doline – Valli del Natisone APS office.