Povir ( or ; ) is a village in the Municipality of Sežana in the Littoral region of Slovenia.Sežana municipal site It includes the hamlets of Britof, Dulanja Vas (), and Guranja Vas ().
Geography Prominent elevations near the village include Stari Tabor Hill (603 m) and Tabor Hill (525 m). The name Stari Tabor (literally, 'old fortress') comes from an old fortified settlement from the late Bronze Age and beginning of the Iron Age at the top of Stari Tabor Hill.
Name Povir was mentioned in written sources circa 1400 and in 1412 as Pouir (and as Vofier in 1485). The name is believed to be derived from a common noun containing the root vir 'spring', perhaps referring to crevasses in the area that become springs after heavy rain. The name is probably not derived from the Slovene common noun povir 'grapevine' (< Venetian Italian pavera).Snoj, Marko. 2009. Etimološki slovar slovenskih zemljepisnih imen. Ljubljana: Modrijan and Založba ZRC, p. 325.
History Povir is built on top of the remains of an ancient Roman settlement, and many archaeological objects have been found in this area. It is also well known for the medieval tower () built on top of Tabor Hill. It was built at the end of the 15th century by the lords of Švarcenek Castle to protect the villagers against Ottoman raids. By the end of the 17th century, the old tower had lost its functionality and began to fall down. During the Second World War, German soldiers finally destroyed it fighting against the Slovene Partisans. In April 2014, Juan P. Maschio began to study the old fortress and he virtually reconstructed it for Projekt Feniks (under the project code FKS03-PV, Tabor Povir).
Churches The parish church, built on the outskirts of the settlement in the hamlet of Britof, is dedicated to Saint Peter and belongs to the Diocese of Koper.Roman Catholic Diocese of Koper List of Churches May 2008 It is a single-nave structure dating from the 17th century with an octagonal chancel walled on three sides and a four-story bell tower at the entrance built in the Aquileian style. The chapel and sacristy were built in 1775. The church has a slate roof and the interior furnishings are Baroque.Slovenian Ministry of Culture register of national heritage reference number ešd 3940 A second church north of the railroad in the centre of the village is dedicated to Saint James. It is a Baroque structure with a polygonal chancel walled on three sides and a higher, wider rectangular nave. There is a bell gable over the entrance. The chancel is barrel vaulted and the nave has a flat painted ceiling. The church has a stone Baroque altar.Slovenian Ministry of Culture register of national heritage reference number ešd 3943
Notable people Notable people that were born or lived in Povir include: Matija Sila (1840–1925), local historian
References
External links
Povir on Geopedia Povir Local Community site Projekt Feniks - Gradovi se prebujajo