Palčje


Palčje is a village east of Pivka in the Inner Carniola region of Slovenia.

Geography

North of the village lies an intermittent lake named Lake Palčje. It is the largest among the Pivka lakes, with an average maximum water area around 1 km². The highest elevations are in the Javornik Hills in the far eastern part of the settlement's territory, at Kozlovka Peak, Mount Kalič, and Mount Lamovšek above the small Prevale Valley.

Name

Palčje was attested in written sources in 1498 as Palitschach. The medieval transcription indicates that today's name is derived from the accusative plural demonym *Paličane, derived from the common noun *palič, likely meaning 'small lake', a diminutive of the Slavic noun palъ, preserved in the Slovene common noun pal 'mud'. The name thus refers to Lake Palčje north of the settlement.

Church

The local church, built on the central village square, is dedicated to Saint Nicholas and belongs to the Parish of Trnje.