Aljaž Tower, together with Triglav, is one of Slovenia’s most recognizable landmarks and an indispensable part of the image of Slovenia’s highest peak. This small but important metal cylinder at the highest point in the country has a long and interesting history that goes beyond its practical function – it has become a symbol of the Slovenian nation and its connection to the mountains.
At the highest point of Slovenian territory stands Aljaž Tower, a 190 cm high cylindrical tower made of thick galvanized sheet metal, which has become the most recognizable symbol of the Slovenian nation. It is distinguished by its exceptional landscape motif and enormous symbolic significance for Slovenian statehood and for all Slovenians.
The long-standing idea of building a tower was realized in 1895 by Jakob Aljaž, a priest, mountaineer, and composer from Dovje. He purchased the summit of Triglav from the municipality of Dovje for one goldinar. A year later, Jakob Aljaž bought land on Kredarica and built the first Slovenian mountain hut there. Today, the hut houses the highest meteorological station in Slovenia. In doing so, he wanted to ensure that the summit would remain in Slovenian hands and accessible to all. Initially, the tower was called the Triglav Tower, but later it was named after him. The tower is not only a symbol of the Slovenian nation, but also provides shelter from storms and serves as a orientation point for mountaineers.
Aljaž entrusted his plans to Anton Belec, a tinsmith from Šentvid, who made the now famous tin tower in his workshop. The tin parts were first transported by train to Mojstrana, and then six porters carried them to the top of Triglav in a week. Aljaž and five assistants built it there on August 7, 1895.
In 1999, the tower was declared a cultural monument of national importance. Despite its durable design, it is very exposed to the elements, and some of the damage is also the result of human activity. In the fall of 2018, it left the summit for the first time in its history due to urgent maintenance and restoration work. After careful renovation, it returned to its place, where it still stands proudly as a guardian of Slovenian identity.
