22/05/2024
The face in the wall of Mt. Prisank. (Can you see it?)
Long ago, in the Julian Alps, there lived a giantess named Ajdovska Deklica, the Pagan Girl. Known for her wisdom and kindness, she wandered the mountain paths, protecting the villagers in the valley below. They revered her as a guardian of the mountains, bringing bountiful harvests and shielding them from natural disasters.
One winter, a cruel sorcerer came to the village, envious of her power. Disguised as a traveller, he learned her routines and poisoned a spring she drank from with dark magic. As Ajdovska Deklica drank, she transformed into stone, realizing the betrayal too late. In her final moments, she cast a protective spell over the valley, ensuring the sorcerer could never harm her people.
The next morning, the villagers found their guardian gone, replaced by a sorrowful stone relief on Vršič Pass. The likeness of Ajdovska Deklica became a symbol of sacrifice and protection. Travellers who pass by pay their respects, feeling the giantess's watchful gaze.
To this day, the Pagan Girl on Vršič Pass remains a poignant reminder of the enduring legends and spirit of Slovenia.
