Park Rafut was planted in the second half of the 19th century over an area of 3 hectares. Within the park, there are a number of rare trees and shrubs. Due to the favourable soil and climatic conditions, many exceptionally beautiful exotic plants have been able to grow in this park. Many of these plants cannot be found elsewhere in Slovenia. Here one can find uncommon examples of cyprus, sequoia, unique examples of camellia , cork-oak tree, and camphor trees among others.
Besides the park with its unique plants, the villa at Rafut is a real curiosity which was built at the beginning of this century, by a local architect, Antonio Lasciac. Essentially it is a type of villa (a manor-house including a tower that is architecturally interesting and dynamic) which one often found at the city's outskirts in the first part of the 20th century. In the Goriška region, its Middle Eastern façade is foreign and at the same time represents an exceptionality. The direct transfer of islamic ornamentation in local architecture came about as a result of the way art nouveau style was understood. The architecture originates from the park's original design which was supposed to be something exotic in its surroundings and would be considered suitable within the whole complex.
Nowadays, the park is divided into two parts; the upper part, which includes the villa and the lower part, which is in private hands . The Rafut Park is of national importance due to its unique examples of exotic trees and shrubs that can be grown here.
Besides the park with its unique plants, the villa at Rafut is a real curiosity which was built at the beginning of this century, by a local architect, Antonio Lasciac. Essentially it is a type of villa (a manor-house including a tower that is architecturally interesting and dynamic) which one often found at the city's outskirts in the first part of the 20th century. In the Goriška region, its Middle Eastern façade is foreign and at the same time represents an exceptionality. The direct transfer of islamic ornamentation in local architecture came about as a result of the way art nouveau style was understood. The architecture originates from the park's original design which was supposed to be something exotic in its surroundings and would be considered suitable within the whole complex.
Nowadays, the park is divided into two parts; the upper part, which includes the villa and the lower part, which is in private hands . The Rafut Park is of national importance due to its unique examples of exotic trees and shrubs that can be grown here.