Grgar

Grgar (pronounced [ˈɡəɾɡaɾ]; Italian: Gargaro) is a village in western Slovenia in the Municipality of Nova Gorica.^[2] It is located under Holy Mount (Slovene: Sveta gora), above the Soča Valley and below the Banjšice Plateau.

Grgar
Grgar Location in Slovenia
Coordinates: 46°0′2.6″N 13°40′7.48″E
Country	Slovenia
Traditional region	Slovenian Littoral
Statistical region	Gorizia
Municipality	Nova Gorica
Area
• Total	16.87 km2 (6.51 sq mi)
Elevation	297.4 m (975.7 ft)
Population  (2015)
• Total	813
[1]

Name

Grgar was mentioned in written sources c. 1370 as Gaergaer and in 1389 as Grêgôr. For phonological and morphological reasons, the latter transcription appears to be a hypercorrection and not connected with Saint Gregory or the name Gregor 'Gregory'. Instead, the name may be derived from another Romance base, perhaps *gregārius 'shepherd'.^[3]

Mass graves

Grgar is the site of two known mass graves associated with the Second World War. The Podgomila Shaft Mass Grave (Slovene: Grobišče Brezno Podgomila), also known as the Miljavec Shaft Mass Grave (Grobišče Miljavčev brezen), is located on the left side of the road to Grgarske Ravne, about 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) north of Grgar. It contains the remains of Home Guard and Italian prisoners of war, and Slovene and Italian civilians murdered in May 1945.^[4] The Jošč Shaft Mass Grave (Grobišče Joščevo brezno) is located on the left side of the road to Grgarske Ravne, about 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) north of Grgar. It contains the remains of unknown victims.^[5][6]

Church

The parish church in the settlement is dedicated to Saint Martin and belongs to the Diocese of Koper.^[7]

Notable people

Notable people that were born or lived in Grgar include:

• Matej Bor, pen name of Vladimir Pavšič (1913–1993), poet
• Urška Ferligoj (1526–1544), a shepherdess and Marian seeress, was born and died in Grgar. A shrine stands at the site of her birthplace.