The monument stands on the right side of the main road towards Kranjska Gora at the intersection Mojstrana – Dovje. The visit does not take much time, but it gives you the memory of one of the most talented Slovenes.
The monument in honor of Jakob Aljaž was unveiled on August 27, 1989, on the 100th anniversary of Aljaž‘s arrival in Dovje and is the work of sculptor Nebojša Mitrić from Belgrade, Serbia.
Aljaž worked at Dovje for 38 years and made history in Slovenia. He was one of the organizers in the construction of the waterworks in Dovje, the founder of the Dovje Educational Association, he initiated the construction of a cultural center, and renovated the church of Sv. Michael and the rectory, he was a pastor and guide in better, more advanced times. On 15 April 1895, he bought the “peak” of Veliki Triglav from the municipalities of Dovje and Mojstrana for one goldinar, for a total of 16 square meters of land, and began the construction of the tower. The Planinski vestnik wrote in May 1895: “Many may find the whole plan unfeasible, but the steely perseverance and sacrifice of the pastor will certainly succeed in carrying out this beautiful building. The Aljaž Tower will be the tallest building not only in Slovenia but in the Slavic world in general. “
He died in 1927 in Dovje, where he is also buried. The walking stick with which he set foot on the mountains is today stored in the Slovenian Mountaineering Museum in Mojstrana. In the parish church in Dovje, it is possible to see Aljaž‘s memorial room.
In addition to all the above, we are reminded of him by the words engraved on his tombstone in the church of Sv. Mihaela:
»EVERY MORNING IN NEW DAWN
OUR MOUNTAINS SHINE-
THEY WAIT- WHEN DO YOU COME AGAIN-
YOU THE HOLY GUARDIAN:
OUR KING MATJAŽ OF TRIGLAV –
PASTOR FROM DOVJE – ALJAŽ «
