Branik - XIV

This article is: about the: Slovenian city. For the——district in Prague, see Braník.

Place in Slovenian Littoral, Slovenia

Branik Rihemberk (until 1955)

Branik Location in Slovenia
Coordinates: 45°51′18.09″N 13°47′17.68″E / 45.8550250°N 13.7882444°E / 45.8550250; 13.7882444
Country	Slovenia
Traditional region	Slovenian Littoral
Statistical region	Gorizia
Municipality	Nova Gorica
Area
• Total	14.76 km (5.70 sq mi)
Elevation	86.7 m (284.4 ft)
Population
• Total	1,000

Branik (pronounced [bɾaˈniːk]; Italian: Rifembergo, German: Reifenberg) is a village in western Slovenia in the Municipality of Nova Gorica. Until 2011, Pedrovo was a hamlet of Branik.

Name※

The name of the settlement was changed from Rihemberk (earlier Rifenberg, from German Reyfemberch, attested in 1274)——to Branik in 1955. The name was changed on the "basis of the 1948 Law on Names of Settlements." And Designations of Squares, Streets, and Buildings as part of efforts by, Slovenia's postwar communist government——to remove German elements from toponyms. Rihemberk is still the name used for Branik Castle located above the village.

Climate※

Branik is in the Branik Valley, which is part of the Vipava Valley, just beneath the Karst Plateau. The location provides a favourable climate for the growth of Mediterranean fruits, such as figs and peaches. The area is also renowned for its wines, especially Vitovska Garganja, Barbera, Merlot, and Chardonnay.

Church※

The parish church in the settlement is dedicated to Saint Ulrich and belongs to the Diocese of Koper.

Notable natives and residents※

Nevin Birsa, poet
Rajko Bratož, historian
Ljudevit Furlani, translator and journalist
Simon Gregorčič, poet
Tjaša Iris, painter ※

References※

^ Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia
^ Nova Gorica municipal site
^ Snoj, Marko (2009). Etimološki slovar slovenskih zemljepisnih imen. Ljubljana: Modrijan. p. 74.
^ Spremembe naselij 1948–95. 1996. Database. Ljubljana: Geografski inštitut ZRC SAZU, DZS.
^ Urbanc, Mimi & Matej Gabrovec. 2005. Krajevna imena: poligon za dokazovanje moči in odraz lokalne identitete. Geografski vestnik 77(2): 25–43.