Rifnik
| Rifnik | |
|---|---|
  Rifnik Location in Slovenia | |
| Coordinates: 46°12′12″N 15°24′31.48″E / 46.20333°N 15.4087444°ECoordinates: 46°12′12″N 15°24′31.48″E / 46.20333°N 15.4087444°E | |
| Country |
 Slovenia |
| Traditional region | Styria |
| Statistical region | Savinja |
| Municipality | Šentjur |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.54 km2 (0.59 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 330.8 m (1,085.3 ft) |
| Population (2002) | |
| • Total | 162 |
| [1] | |
Rifnik is a settlement in the Municipality of Šentjur in eastern Slovenia. It lies on Rifnik Hill just south of Šentjur. The area is part of the historical Styria region. The municipality is now included in the Savinja Statistical Region.[2]
Name
Rifnik was first attested in written sources in 1326 as Reichenekk (and as Reiheneck in 1335 and Reihnek in 1343). The name originally referred to the castle at the site, a compound formed from the Middle High German personal name Rîcho + egge 'hill, castle'. The name therefore originally meant 'Rîcho's castle'.[3]
Archaeological park
On the hilltop above the settlement there is the Rifnik archaeological park with the permanent exhibition about the local prehistoric and ancient findings curated by the Celje Regional Museum.
Castle
The settlement is best known for its 13th-century castle. The castle was abandoned in the 17th century, but the remains of the residential part and the fortifications are still visible.[4]
References
- ↑ Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia
- ↑ Šentjur municipal site
- ↑ Snoj, Marko. 2009. Etimološki slovar slovenskih zemljepisnih imen. Ljubljana: Modrijan and Založba ZRC, p. 355.
- ↑ Slovenian Ministry of Culture register of national heritage reference number ešd 7923
