Branik (; , ) is a village in western

Slovenia Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ...

in the Municipality of Nova Gorica. Until 2011, Pedrovo was a hamlet of Branik.

Name

The name of the settlement was changed from Rihemberk (earlier ''Rifenberg'', from German ''Reyfemberch'', attested in 1274) to Branik in 1955. The name was changed on the basis of the 1948 Law on Names of Settlements and Designations of Squares, Streets, and Buildings as part of efforts by Slovenia's postwar communist government to remove German elements from toponyms.Urbanc, Mimi & Matej Gabrovec. 2005. Krajevna imena: poligon za dokazovanje moči in odraz lokalne identitete. ''Geografski vestnik'' 77(2): 25–43. Rihemberk is still the name used for Branik Castle located above the village.

Climate

Branik is in the Branik Valley, which is part of the Vipava Valley, just beneath the Karst Plateau. The location provides a favourable climate for the growth of Mediterranean fruits, such as figs and peaches. The area is also renowned for its wines, especially Vitovska Garganja, Barbera, Merlot, and Chardonnay.

Church

The parish church in the settlement is dedicated to Saint Ulrich and belongs to the Diocese of Koper.

Notable people

Notable people that were born or lived in Branik include the following: * Nevin Birsa, poet *, historian *, translator and journalist * Simon Gregorčič, poet * Tjaša Iris, painte

References

External links