Five monasteries, five different communities of the Franciscan family, eight centuries of history in Koper. Their legacy lives on in the city’s buildings, books, and enduring cultural heritage.
To mark the 800th anniversary of the transitus of St. Francis of Assisi, a special jubilee evening entitled “Franciscan Koper” was held on Friday, November 6, 2026, in Koper, Slovenia. The event took place at the St. Francis of Assisi Ceremonial and Multipurpose Hall, formerly the St. Francis Church of the Conventual Franciscan friars. The evening focused on rediscovering the rich spiritual, artistic, and literary heritage of the various Franciscan communities that have shaped the city’s identity.
Over the centuries, five different communities of the Franciscan Family have been present in Koper: the Conventual Franciscans at St. Francis Church, the Poor Clares at St. Clare Church, the Glagolitic Third Order Franciscans at St. Gregory Church, the Friars Minor at St. Anne Church, and the Capuchins at St. Martha Church. Nearly eight centuries of Franciscan presence have left a profound mark on the city’s religious, cultural, artistic, educational, and literary history.
I would like to mention just two of our confreres: Blessed Monald of Koper, a 13th-century jurist and author of the Summa Monaldina, and Friar Gabriele PULITI, a musician and renowned organist who was active in Koper.
In the former St. Francis Church, where a medieval depiction of the transitus of St. Francis has once again been brought to light, Friar Miran ŠPELIČ, OFM, gave a lecture on the rich biographical tradition of St. Francis; Gregor POBEŽIN explored St. Bonaventure’s Legenda maior and Legenda minor as historical accounts reflecting their time; Sara TURK MAROLT discussed the medieval wall paintings in the former St. Francis Church and Friary, which had been lost, forgotten, and rediscovered; and finally, Diana KOŠIR offered an overview of the earliest biographies of St. Francis preserved among the literary treasures of the St. Anne friary.
The evening, hosted by Peter ŠTOKA, also featured a poetry and music program with Vid KARLOVŠEK, winner of the 2026 Jenko Award. There were also literary readings by students from Koper’s high schools, and a performance by the Koper Music School.
The event was organized by the Srečko Vilhar Central Library of Koper (Osrednja knjižnica Srečka Vilharja Koper), with the support of the Koper Public Institute for Youth, Culture, and Tourism (ZMKT).
Friar Milan KOS, Minister Provincial
