Late Antique Refuge Settlements in Slovenia

(Boštjan Burger, November 2025)

The phenomenon of Late Antique refuge settlements in the territory of present-day Slovenia can be situated within the broader context of the disintegration of the Roman Empire between the 4th and 6th centuries CE. During this period, the increasing insecurity of life in the lowlands—caused by recurrent invasions and political instability—prompted the local, predominantly Romanized population to withdraw to more inaccessible and defensible locations. On elevated terrain, fortified settlements were established that fulfilled a dual role: they functioned both as permanent residential communities and as places of refuge in times of crisis.

The siting of these settlements was deliberate, favoring steep hillsides, rocky escarpments, and naturally protected positions that afforded strategic advantages. In addition to exploiting natural defenses, inhabitants constructed stone fortifications, towers, and in some cases multiple concentric walls. Within these enclosures, simple domestic structures, ancillary economic buildings, and occasionally ecclesiastical architecture were erected, the latter attesting to the penetration of early Christian traditions into the region.

Economic activity in these communities was sustained through terrace agriculture, animal husbandry, and foraging. Although demographically modest, the settlements preserved elements of Roman cultural practice while simultaneously adapting to altered socio-political circumstances.

Archaeological evidence identifies several key sites: Rifnik near Šentjur, one of the largest and most extensively fortified examples; Ajdna above Potoki, notable for the remains of a church; the Ajdovske Caves near Krško, which served as a natural refuge; and Gradišče near Ljubljana, strategically positioned on elevated terrain.

(Ajdna nad Potoki)

These Late Antique refuge settlements constitute an important testimony to the continuity of habitation in the Slovenian lands. They demonstrate that Romanized populations persisted beyond the collapse of imperial authority and that such fortified communities provided the structural antecedents for early medieval strongholds. Today, they represent valuable archaeological loci, offering insight into patterns of settlement, defense, and cultural transformation during a period of profound historical transition.

The Paradox of Ajdna and Ajdovščina: Christian Refuge Sites Named After Pagan Giants

The names of places like Ajdna and Ajdovščina in Slovenia reflect a deep paradox: they were once late antique Christian refuges built to withstand pagan invasions, yet today they bear names associated with ajdi—mythical pagan giants. This contradiction reveals how folk tradition can overwrite historical reality, transforming Christian heritage into symbols of a forgotten pagan past.

Etymology and Mythical Layers
The Slovene word ajd originates from the Old Slavic ajdinŭ, meaning heathen or non-Christian. Over time, it evolved in folk culture to signify giants, ancient beings, and builders of mysterious ruins. These mythical figures were imagined as powerful, pre-Christian entities who shaped the landscape.

Ajdovščina: Derived from Ajdova hiša (“House of the Ajd”), this name suggests a settlement of mythical giants. Historically, however, it was the Roman fort Castra, later a Christian stronghold in the 4th century.

Ajdna: A fortified late antique settlement perched at 1046 meters above sea level above the Sava Dolinka valley. Despite its Christian origins, its name evokes the ajdi—legendary giants who supposedly lived there.

In both cases, archaeological reality is reframed through myth: the ruins of Christian communities are interpreted as remnants of a pagan world.

Folk Legends and Narrative Transformation
In Slovene folklore, ajdi are:

Giants with supernatural strength who built fortresses, churches, and bridges.

Pagans, representing a pre-Christian era.

Guardians of hidden treasures, often buried in caves and mountains.

Ajdna’s Mythical Aura
According to legend, Ajdna was inhabited by ajdi who fled from Christian persecution. Some stories claim angels or saints drove them out, symbolizing the triumph of Christianity. Thus, Ajdna became a metaphor for a lost pagan world—despite being a Christian refuge in historical reality.

Ajdovščina and the Mythic Landscape of Rodik
Near Rodik, another archaeological site named Ajdovščina inspired the creation of a Mythic Park, where visitors explore stories about the origins of the world, places, and beings. These narratives reflect how ancient people interpreted natural phenomena and their place in the cosmos.

Slovenian Places with “Ajd” in Their Name

Many Slovenian locations bear the root ajd, indicating the widespread cultural resonance of these mythical figures:

Place Name Location Description or Connection
Ajdna Above Potoki (Jesenice) Late antique fortified site
Ajdovščina Vipava Valley Roman and late antique settlement
Ajdovska jama Near Nemška vas (Dolenjska) Prehistoric cave site
Ajdovski gradec Near Sevnica Prehistoric hillfort
Ajdovec Near Žužemberk Village with mythic name
Ajdovski zid Between Vrhnika and Logatec Roman defensive wall
These places often feature archaeological remains, natural landmarks, or legends attributed to the ajdi.

Critical Reflection: History vs. Myth

This tension between historical fact and myth raises compelling questions:

Why are Christian fortresses named after pagan giants?

Is this due to the loss of historical memory and the dominance of oral tradition?

Or does it reflect a symbolic reinterpretation, where ajdi represent ancestral power regardless of religion?

Perhaps the true strength of Slovene folklore lies in its ability to transform history into myth—and myth into identity.

References

Ciglenečki, S. (1987). Poznoantična naselbinska zatočišča v Sloveniji. Arheološki vestnik 38, 241–270. – Foundational study introducing the concept of refuge settlements in the Slovenian archaeological record.