The Servite Monastery is currently undergoing gradual renovation and reconstruction under the direction of the University of Primorska and the InnoRenew CoE. Tim Mavrič, assistant research at InnoRenew CoE and a PhD student in Cultural Resources and Archives Management at the UP Faculty of Humanities, and Eva Prelovšek Niemelä, architect at InnoRenew CoE and one of the leaders of the renovation, have summarized the latest interesting developments, connected to a systematic archaeological excavations and demolition works. Both have yielded interesting archaeological finds.

Systematic archeological excavations began in early August, carried out by archeologists from the Center for Preventive Archeology, a special unit of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. The results of the excavations will shed light on the extent to which it is permissible and possible to disturb the soil beneath the monastery. At the same time, they could bring to light interesting new details about the history of the complex, especially more information about the alleged luxurious Roman villa from the 1st AD, which was probably located on this ground.

In addition to the archeological excavations, demolition work is also underway to remove disruptive suspended ceilings and thin partitions from the postwar period that will interfere with the new organization of the building. The post-war annex, which housed the heating system, has also already been removed, while at the same time the roof is being renovated.

Demolition work, now taking place primarily in areas identified as the remains of the original monastic church of St. Martin, has uncovered an older brick wall in which conservators have discovered two brick slender openings typical of the Gothic architectural style. This new discovery in an unexpected location within the former monastery church has yet to be historically and architecturally identified and evaluated and has been included as a special element in the concept for the space that will house the museum that will take the place of the Servite Monastery after renovation.