The Kostanjevica Monastery is located in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, just 200m from the Italy–Slovenia border. It was founded in the 17th century by Carmelite nuns. The complex was damaged during the First World War. Until the Second World War, the monastery belonged to the Italian town of Gorizia. After the establishment of the Yugoslavia-Italian border in 1947, the Kostanjevica Monastery became part of Nova Gorica, on Slovenian territory.
The Chapel of the Holy Spirit is Gorizia's oldest church, located in the old castle. Despite the castle being damaged during the First and Second World Wars, the chapel survived without serious damage. During the Second World War, the chapel was used to store amunition. It was restored in 1931 and reopened for worship in 1946.
The Church of St. Ignatius was built by the Jesuits between 1654 and 1747. The interior is decorated with marble and wooden furniture from the 17th century.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Martyrs Saints Hilary and Tatian dates from the 13th century. In 1471, the Chapel of St. Acacius, the best preserved part of the cathedral, was built. Between 1682 and 1702, the church underwent a radical Baroque renovation: Giulio Quaglio painted a series of frescoes that were lost during the First World War. In 1751, Gorizia became the seat of the archbishopric following the dismantling of the patriarchate. It was severely damaged during the First World War: it was returned to worship in 1928, as recalled by a plaque outside, in its present form.
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