How 16 m² of Triglav Was Bought by the Slovene

Mountaineering and alpinism in the Slovenian Alps were strongly influenced by Germany in the 19th century. 

During his service, Jakob Aljaž - a patriot, mountaineer and priest - began to notice a great interest of foreigners in the Slovenian mountains. He tried to resist this by buying the top of Triglav (16 m2) from the municipality of Dovje for one Goldinar.

Aljaž donated the top and the tower to the Slovenian Mountaineering Association with the desire to preserve the Slovenian face of the Slovenian mountains. Later, the tower was often adapted, memorial plaques were added to it, the flag at the tip was replaced with a five-pointed star, and again with a flag with the year of installation.

It was also painted several times, namely green-white-red, when the border between Yugoslavia and Italy ran alongside it during the wars, or red during communism. It is equipped with a lightning rod. The foundations were repeatedly concreted. In 1999, it was declared as a cultural monument of national importance.

On September 7 th 2018, the Aljaž Turretr was dismantled from the top of Triglav for the first time in 123 years and transported by helicopter to Mojstrana, and from there to the restoration center in Ljubljana to repair the damage that has accumulated over the years. The renovated facility was flown back by helicopter and re-installed on top on October 3th 2018.