"We have re-established the water system of the Ferrari garden, such as it was 70 years ago. It is an extraordinary system, a urban achievement by Maks Fabiani who directed rainwater from the entire settlement of Štanjel into storage tanks, required also for watering of the garden and the pool," Marko Bandelli, the mayor of the Komen municipality, explained at the opening of the restored water system.
Only minimal interventions into the system were required to allow the water from the top of the Štanjel hill to flow through the pipes into the pool in the Ferrari garden. The pool in the middle of the garden now boasts with a new fountain, which will soon become more impressive, and the water will rise higher after new water pumps are installed. More than 300 plants have been planted anew.
The renovation was completed to honour the 150th anniversary of the birth of the famous architect born in the vicinity of Štanjel. He upgraded the traditional rainwater harvesting system with an underground water system of canals, tanks and pipes, drainage or irrigation canals. In this way, already in the previous century, he created a complex system which provided running water for the villa and the park– the water was plentiful for all purposes, for basic needs and for entertainment and decorative purposes.
Bandelli explained that the municipality restored the garden with the help of several donors. The estimated value of the restoration and replanting of the Ferrari garden with more than 300 new plants amounted to 20,000 euros.
The municipality hopes that Štanjel and the restored garden will lure a number of visitors – the mayor is confident that the garden is now worth visiting. A gardener has been employed by the Komen municipality, as they wish the garden to remain in the best shape.
Next the castle buildings will be restored
They are confident that visitors now find Štanjel a much more pleasant destination; after the sewerage and water distribution system have been regulated, people started inhabiting and repairing the houses within the settlement. A new tenant has been found for the restaurant within the castle wall, and the municipality intends to start restoring the remaining castle buildings.

M. K.; translated by G. K.