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Štanjel Opens Renovated Natalija’s House as the New Gateway to the Ferrari Garden

Štanjel Opens Renovated Natalija’s House as the New Gateway to the Ferrari Garden

In Štanjel, a picturesque stone village in Slovenia’s Karst region, the renovated Natalija’s House officially opened. It serves as the new entrance and interpretation centre of the iconic Ferrari Garden. The project represents an important new addition to cultural tourism in the Karst and combines heritage interpretation, community space, and contemporary visitor experiences focused on sustainability, well-being, and cultural identity.

Part of the renowned Ferrari Villa and Garden complex designed by celebrated architect Maks Fabiani, the renovated building now brings together a permanent exhibition, interpretive content, and a welcoming space for local residents, creatives, and visitors alike.

The renovation project is rooted in the connection between cultural heritage, sustainable development, and modern experiential tourism. Natalija’s House has been conceived as one of Slovenia’s first examples of so-called “heritage wellness” — a space dedicated to slowing down, reflection, and experiencing heritage through atmosphere, stories, and sensory engagement rather than traditional museum presentation alone.

The house offers visitors a deeper insight into the life and work of Maks Fabiani, one of the most important architects and urban planners of his time, who created an almost self-sufficient estate in the Karst with an advanced water supply system and remarkable landscape design. Through the exhibition “The Tree, the Architect and the Garden,” visitors can explore the legacy of the Ferrari Garden and the relationship between architecture, nature, and community through contemporary interpretive approaches.

The opening ceremony on May 13 was attended by Aleksander Jevšek, Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development, Erik Modic, Mayor of the Municipality of Komen, Karmen Rodman, Director of ORA Kras and Brkini, as well as the creators of the project. Management of Natalija’s House has been entrusted to ORA Kras and Brkini.

The project also introduces modern multimedia and interactive elements. Through the exhibition, visitors can discover Fabiani’s visionary ideas, the development of the Ferrari Garden, and the importance of water in the Karst landscape. A particularly important part of the presentation is dedicated to the digital reconstruction of the estate’s historic water supply system.

On the occasion of its opening, Natalija’s House also received the international Green Key environmental certificate, confirming its commitment to sustainable operations and environmentally responsible tourism practices.

Natalija’s House is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Source: ORA Kras and Brkini
Photo: Ana Rojc, archive of ORA Kras and Brkini

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e-mail address: press(at)slovenia.info

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