Zgornje Škofije stretches along the southwestern slope of Tinjan and is a settlement made up of three hamlets. Two sides of the place can help shape your travel plans: a hilly landscape characterized by vineyards and olive groves, and a finely grained settlement structure with church architecture and local history. You can therefore plan your stay around the landscape, architectural styles or history of the place.

Landscape and townscape

The three hamlets are surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The southwestern slope is considered somewhat sunnier and sheltered from the bora wind. Slatine offers wide views of Trieste, Koper and the Šavrini Hills. These details describe different scales: vineyards and olive groves characterize the surroundings of the hamlets, while the view is specifically associated with Slatine. A wine route passes through the Zgornje Škofije area and continues to Elerje and through the Milje Hills. This means the landscape, views and wine route are different points of reference for planning a trip.

Village centers and paths

The three old village centers lie below Tinjanska cesta. Two more route details, each with a different destination, can also help with orientation: a short turnoff from Tinjanska cesta leads to the hamlet of Rombi. From the well in Druga Škofija, a path continues to the fields of Mandrija and Termun. The first detail describes a short turnoff leading to Rombi; the second gives the well as its starting point and leads to the fields. These specific place names make it possible to trace the rural structure. Both details offer different points of reference: the hamlets and village centers on the one hand, and paths to named destinations on the other.

Church and chapel

The Church of Christ the King combines a clearly documented construction history with precisely described architectural features. It was built between 1931 and 1935 and has a single nave; the presbytery is rectangular. The bell tower stands against the eastern wall, and its belfry has four semicircular openings. “Single-nave” describes a church with one nave; the rectangular presbytery adjoins it as a distinct area. The tower, with its position and four openings, also has a distinctive architectural form. The village chapel adds another set of features: a rectangular floor plan, a gabled roof and a semicircular entrance. The church and chapel can therefore be viewed through different features: spatial layout, tower openings, roof and entrance.

Local history

Stone walls known as “limes” were found near Šanse. According to local tradition, Šanse is the site of a former Roman fortification or observation post. The name given to the walls and the interpretation of the site are two different historical clues: one identifies the stones, while the other describes a possible former function of Šanse. This tradition differs from the Church of Christ the King, whose construction dates are given as 1931 to 1935.

Which side of the place suits your trip?

If you are looking for a hotel in Zgornje Škofije, first consider whether you want to focus your stay mainly on the landscape, church architecture or local history. The views from Slatine, the hamlets, the architectural features described here and the tradition about Šanse offer different themes to explore.

Discover more destinations: Črni Kal, Šmarje, Dekani, Krkavče, Rižana, Koštabona, Koper, Truške

Go to the broader travel overview: Koper.