Things to see and do Northwest

It can be reached in a few minutes on foot via an easy-to-follow footpath. The most picturesque waterfall in the country. It has dug a kind of large underground chamber, the bottom of which is pierced with blue-green chasms, and the walls of which are full of limestone concretions, as in karst caves. A fifteen-metre high water flow offers us an unforgettable spectacle. As a reminder, swimming is forbidden.

Škofja Loka, together with the Selška and Poljanska Valley, is a picturesque medieval place where the Passion performance is held, which is included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Two valleys, three mountain ranges: the place offers endless stories and reveals a very varied creative heritage of artistic practices, crafts and gastronomy. Among the nuggets to be discovered in the region, castles and manor houses are at the top of the list and the oldest date back to the 13th century.

Beautiful documentation on the cultural and natural sites to be discovered in the city and its surroundings. The agents are good counsellors and will provide you with several ideas for itineraries according to your desires. They will also inform you about the many water activities to be done in the region such as rafting or canyoning, as well as the accommodation and catering on site. Brochures in many languages, some in French.

This is the museum of the herdsmen, shepherds and shepherdesses living up there on the mountain from mid-June to the end of October. It is located in an old cheese dairy that was active until 1967 and features a reconstructed sheepfold, old photographs that have become an ethnographic treasure, wooden butter moulds, snowshoes and beautifully carved swells. It reveals the strong dairy identity of the region, which has declined considerably in intensity in recent decades. Interesting without being unavoidable.

It is unique in Slovenia. Bees and honey from the origins (or almost) to nowadays become familiar to you. The museum also has a fine collection of hive panels with religious motifs at the very beginning and humorous and satirical motifs at the end. It is also a strange hive as that of a lion or a Turk smoking his pipe. The children are amazed by the activity of the museum's hive. This hive with transparent panels allows you to visualize the activity of a colony. Numerous educational workshops, documents in French. A great success!

This sacred place is a masterpiece of the famous architect Jože Plečnik who was able to give life and spirit to the remaining elements of the church burnt down by Nazi soldiers during the Second World War. He has restructured part of the building: relocation of the main entrance, use of innovative materials, etc. It is one of the last major works of this famous architect before his death. Guided tour highly recommended.

On a grey and rainy day, after a 20-minute solo climb and more than five hundred steps, the reward is right in front of you: the Savica waterfall, source of the Bohinjka river. A dazzling 80-metre leap that has been a natural curiosity for ages. The observatory above is a veritable eagle's nest. Quite impressive. France Prešeren, the great Slovenian Romantic poet, sang about it in her poem Baptism in the Savica.

The waterfall is simply the most powerful waterfall in the country when the snow melts in the spring. The flow rate can be up to 100 ^m3 per second! Fed by a karstic spring, the Boka stream also has the unusual feature of being one of the smallest rivers in the world, with a course of just over 600 m. In addition to being particularly noisy, the show is beautiful and is very well photographed. To get there, you have to go to the village of Žaga, west of Bovec, in the direction of Italy.

At the end of the valley, the refuge awaits you. You'll never tire of gazing at the sloping summit of Jalovec (2,645 m). Nearby is the Nadiže waterfall, the first source of the Save River. The waters disappear and reappear at Zelenci, the official birthplace of the Save, which joins the Danube at Belgrade in Serbia.

A number of hiking trails lead to the Vršič pass (1,611 m) or the Jalovec summit (2,645 m). Please note that these routes are for experienced hikers only. Several passages are exposed.

A wealth of information, for activities and accommodation, including an exhaustive list of holiday homes. The tourist agents will advise you with a smile on the best routes to take. They will also inform you about local festive events and the availability of accommodation and food on site. Bicycle rental service on site, sale of postcards and souvenirs. Another office welcomes you in Bohinjska Bistrica.

These gorges extend over 2 kilometres and are up to 40 metres deep. They're not as famous as Vintgar's. The suspended footbridge (watch out for the slides!) allows you to cross a gallery that leads to a small corner of greenery. A stroll that takes you little by little into the wilderness. Less accessible, these gorges are wilder and are for people looking for more authenticity. There are relatively few hikers to be found here.

Following ratification of the Treaty of Rapallo, a large part of western Slovenia was ceded to Italy. As a result, the border is located in the vicinity of Škofja Loka, between the Soriska Planina plateau and the small town of Žiri. In 1937, under the command of Yugoslav General Rupnik, a defensive line of bunkers, tunnels and other fortifications was erected. You can also visit them. You can lose yourself in the tunnels, play sentry in the bunkers and imagine an invisible enemy.

From December 1943 to May 1945, the gorges hosted a hospital built for partisans (Yugoslav resistance fighters). The health facility is named after Dr. Franja Bojc-Bidovec, who became Chief Medical Officer in January 1944. The 578 injured people who stayed here are blindfolded from the farm Podnjivč (opposite the current car park). The march in the waters was intended to avoid encountering German soldiers. This hospital had a very low mortality rate (13%). German troops, despite two attacks, never succeeded in bringing down this almost untraceable site. Nine French people were treated, but also Austrians, Italians, Poles, Soviets and Americans. The path along the river at the foot of the cliffs immediately brings you into the atmosphere: the further you go, the narrower the gorges. We finally saw the first barracks. It is not a museum in the conventional sense of the term but rather an immersion. We discover the barracks dedicated to the operating room, the radiology barracks, the quarantine room, the doctors' and injured people's room, the canteen, the dormitories covered with Yugoslav propaganda posters (you will be surprised by their number!), etc. At the bottom of the gorge, there is even a micro hydroelectric power station. It is a striking dive into the history and lives of these men in times of war. You will not leave this place completely unscathed.

Established in the south of the town, in the hamlet of Pustal, this period house, bordered by the local river, dating from the 16th century, now houses a small local and ethnographic museum which gives a number of interesting insights into the objects and gestures of daily life in the days when Slovenia was still a Habsburg country. Restored in 1755, it was deliberately baroque. It is one of the few surviving examples of the last centuries in this region. A very appreciated visit by the locals!

The only hut spared by the Nazi arson attack of 1944, this house has become a museum presenting the traditional life and architecture of Velika Planina. It succinctly presents the main stages of the daily life of the cowherds through the ages. The interior of the hut thus consists of two distinct parts: a living space and a space to shelter the cattle. The large fire in the middle of the dwelling is intended to warm hearts and light the hearth. There is an interesting collection of clothing and customary objects.

Located at number 22 of the main square, this gothic house, with a vaulted hall, houses an art gallery. There are several temporary exhibitions, with a large part devoted to illustrators. The house is interesting because it bears the stigma of a bygone era. Built during the 16th century, a superb fresco depicting the creation of Eve proudly hangs on its façade. Inside, a formidably preserved gothic ceiling and a black kitchen. Take a look at the facades of the Mali and Vidic houses!

The museum is housed in a typical alpine house built in the 18th century. In Baroque style, however, this residence did not belong to the common people. The visit allows you to discover an interesting collection of painted chests and the "black kitchen", a room reserved for cooking where meat was smoked. In the attic, cabinet-making equipment and linen looms. In the basement, an art gallery presenting Josip Vandot (1884-1944), the local child, creator of the character of Kekec, the shepherd.

In 1997, the museum was awarded the prize for Best European Technical and Industrial Museum. The castle was built in 1523. A fortress against Ottoman aggression, it became the headquarters of the mining administration until 1940. Its remarkable arcaded courtyard now hosts cultural evenings. Unequal quality of the permanent exhibition. The first part, located on the first floor, highlights extracts of local rocks and gems without providing any explanation in a language other than Slovenian. As you continue your itinerary through the museum, you fall in admiration for an impressive mineralogical and petrographic collection that also lacks context. The second part of the exhibition offers an intelligible and concise contextualization, in English, of the exploitation of mercury in the region through its discoverers, the working conditions it requires, its key personalities and its inexorable decline. This transition makes it possible to introduce a last floor of exhibition very rich in information about the 20th century in Idrija: the occupations it has undergone, the particular role of the supporters, the essential place of Idrija lace in the local heritage. The last rooms, where we must praise the effort of interactivity, allow us to get a more precise and global idea of the interest of mercury in our daily lives. As you will have understood, the visit is essential to better understand the specificity of Idrija.

Housed in a 500-year-old building that once housed the store and workshop for the famous gingerbread (1766), you'll find candles and honey cakes in the shape of hearts and St. Nicholas. The workshop-boutique is unique in that it's the only place where you can actually see the old-fashioned decoration of these famous gingerbreads. You can also buy unusual souvenirs (little houses, stars, Christmas trees...). The gingerbread can also be named after you or anyone you like. A great family experience!

This lovely little river located west of Kobarid, just before the Italian border, is perfect for bathing. Beautiful water holes and currents allow you to refresh. The place is very popular by the local population, the Italians included.

This is the museum dedicated to hostages. The manor house "welcomed" no less than 12,000 people within its old walls during the Second World War. It was a major Gestapo prison. The cells carry the blood and tears of the former prisoners, who will certainly leave you speechless for many minutes. In the park, a memorial honours the disappearance of many of these prisoners, tortured or shot in and around the courtyard, nearly a thousand people. A poignant visit.

Mainly devoted to the front of the Soča (Isonzo, in Italian) and to the offensives launched in this sector by the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies between 1915 and 1917. Located in the Mašera House, built in 1739, a building with Mediterranean and Alpine character, the museum was awarded the Valvasor Prize in 1992 and the Council of Europe Prize the following year. In the entrance hall, the intention of the authors is expressed from the outset. Man and his sufferings, whatever his origin, are placed at the centre of History. That is why the flags of the various peoples and nations involved in this tragedy are lined up side by side. In the halls, models of Mount Kern and the upper valley provide a better understanding of the advance and positioning of the troops. The dark room with its pictures of dead bodies is shocking. The white room retraces the soldier's fight against the natural elements, snow, ice, fog. Rommel (1891-1944), a future "desert fox" with his Afrikakorps in 1941, served as a lieutenant on the front line of the Soča. In his Diary, the sketches illustrate Mengore's three-day breakthrough into the Nadiža Valley. In the reconstructed shelter, you will listen to a recording of a letter from a soldier to his father. A 22-minute film projection in French allows us to "relive" the unfolding of these events, which had a terrible toll: 300,000 dead and 700,000 wounded! A monument of history.

The viaduct with its railway track has an 85 m arch. Inaugurated in 1906, it was then the largest in Europe. The bridge over the Soča was built in 1985 and is used to drive to Goriška Brda. You will cross a little more than 1 km of Italian territory with a plunging view on Soča. It was mined by the Austrian army during the First World War. Heavily damaged after the attack on Kobarid in October 1917, it had to be repaired from 1918 onwards, partly by Italy. It is forbidden to stop on this bridge.

The best way to discover the cultural and natural heritage of Kobarid is to take a 5 km tour of Kobariska Zgodovinska Pot. You can discover the moving war monuments, abandoned fortifications, bridges and amazing waterfalls around Kobarid. You can get a free map of the tour at the Kobarid Museum, or at the tourist office (in French). The latter highlights the best places to visit and the most beautiful views. Taking your time and appreciating each particularity, the tour lasts on average 3 hours and a half. Among the many points of this tour, you can appreciate one of the most attractive buildings in the region, the church of Saint-Antoine and the Italian ossuary surrounding it - a memorial opened by Mussolini in 1938 - visible from afar. The interest is inside: the bloody memories of the battle of Soča, with the names of the thousands of Italian soldiers who died on the front. Continuing your tour, you will also discover the old fort, Tonocov Grad and the Italian line of defence of the battle of Soča. This tour is not only historical but you can also admire the Soča valley and the 15 m high Slap Kozjak waterfall. Finally, Napoleon's bridge, Napoleonov Most, attracts attention for its view of the Soča and its rocky shores. Built in 1750, it inherited the French name, following a visit from Napoleon who passed through it. Guided tours are highly recommended.

A very beautiful place with a superb flora and a beautiful panorama of all the mountain ranges of the country. You can eat in the refuge Koča na Ratitovcu at 1,642 m. The summit is located west of Železniki. To get as close as possible by car, take the small road that leads to Prtovc (1,011 m), a hamlet of about 20 inhabitants that was completely burnt down in 1943. From there, you join the marked path. It is the northeastern-most peak of the Julian Alps. Snowshoe hikes are possible in winter.

Bad tongues will say that France Prešeren will have lived in Kranj only in the twilight of her life. Anyway, this small museum dedicated to the poet retraces his artistic and political commitment throughout his life. Some original manuscripts can also be found here. Exposure is fairly short and takes only a few dozen minutes. One by one, the rooms of his final resting place are discovered. It is still celebrated every February 8th all over the city.

This fountain was made in the famous studio of Ivan Vurnik, an artist from the city, known for having opened the first school of architecture in the country. The statue itself is by Jožef Pavlin. It is a strong tribute to the financial and personal commitment of Josipina Hočevar (1824-1911) to access to education. At that time, it was very rare for a statue to be dedicated to a woman. It depicts a schoolboy holding a medallion depicting Josipina and a textbook in his hands.

The museum presents the history of the historical region of Gorenjska with a permanent exhibition based on scenes of local daily life through the ages. We discover the dominant place of the iron market in the economic development of the region, before its collapse after the industrial revolution and the progressive exclusion of the Carniola from the main railway routes in the 19th century. The twentieth century is dealt with more quickly, but gives a clearer picture of the region's role at the time of the two world conflicts.

This former summer residence of the Coronini-Cromberg family houses the Municipal Museum. Heavily damaged during the Second World War, it was rebuilt in the late 1970s. A beautiful setting, with its garden and small park that welcomes many couples for civil wedding ceremonies. Musical events also take place there. A visit to the museum is not necessarily a must but can be a nice alternative in case of bad weather.

It is largely dedicated to Zoran Mušič (painter born in 1909) who donated 134 works during Slovenia's independence. Arrested by the Gestapo in 1944, interned in Dachau, he traces in an overwhelming way the tragedy of the death camps through the series Nous ne sommes pas les derniers (années 1970). The artist died in Venice in 2005 at the age of 96. Nostalgia with photos of Elvira de Baguer, daughter of the last owner of the place. The Knights Hall (1550) hosts one classical music concert per month.

The lace school was founded in 1876 by Ivana Ferjančič and occupies the premises of the former primary school. This training centre works in collaboration with the local high school and organizes internships. An exhibition room on the ground floor allows you to appreciate the work of the expert hands. The result is impressive in its finesse and regularity. Don't hesitate to take a detour to the small shop that sells many pieces, a nice gift idea!

The tourist office is located in a charming 16th century baroque house renovated in the 19th century. Lots of useful information and brochures, some of which are in French. Maps, French-speaking guides, free Internet access... The agents are good counsellors and will provide you with ideas for itineraries according to your desires. They will also inform you about local festive events and the availability of accommodation and food on site.

The church was built in the year 1500, after a tank manufacturer discovered by the greatest chance the presence of mercury in this area. Obviously, this underground resource has allowed the rapid establishment of a city to manage its operations. A wooden church was therefore erected on the site of the discovery. In the 1980s, it was substantially modified to ensure its sustainability. The municipal apiary is located in the garden of the religious building.

The first church, a Romanesque basilica with three naves, was consecrated in 1142. It was renovated in the 15th century but a few decades later, an earthquake made further alterations necessary. It is on the island of Bled. The statue of the Virgin dates from the Gothic period. The present altar with its rich gilding dates from 1747. The bell tower has had an eventful history. Two earthquakes and lightning (1688) damaged him.

The church was built in 1916 by soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian army in memory of the dead in action on the surrounding peaks. Even then, it served as a spiritual refuge for them. The interior is decorated in the style of the Viennese Secession. On the walls are the names of the 2,808 soldiers who fell at the front. A place full of emotion where meditation is essential. It occupies a central place in the material and moral reconstruction of places and people. It was recently awarded the European Heritage Label in 2018.

The trail around the lake is often closed because it is located under limestone cliffs from which many rocks are detached. It is formed from a visible geological crack. Its underground source is 83 m deep. When you bend down to observe, a feeling of vertigo surprises you, the sheer drop is impressive. The Proteus anguinus, close cousin of the salamander, lives here. The river Jezernica which rises from the lake is the smallest in Slovenia (55 m).

It's the name of the river that runs through Kamnik. It is 33 km long and has its source 13 km from the town, at the place named after it, a few steps from the Dom v Kamniški Bistric hut and the chapel. For Slovenians, Kamniška Bistrica evokes alpine atmosphere, mountain hiking and family walks. At the hut, a solid mountain building with character, walkers and hikers linger, quenching their thirst, in the sun. We check the itinerary and admire the peaks that surround this dead-end stage: Grintovec, Skuta, and Planjava.

The royal crypt is located at the end on the right. It has a mortuary atmosphere, unlike the chapel, with its richly decorated ceilings. For aristocrats, monarchists and royal history enthusiasts. Situated on a hilltop overlooking Nova Gorica and Gorizia, it offers a very interesting view of the architectural break between the old Italian city and the new Slovenian city. The first reason to visit the museum is that it is one of the few historical remains of the modern period on this side of the border. The crypt of the Bourbons is the eternal resting place of the unfortunate Charles X, driven into exile after the July Revolution. The convent, monumental, recalls a glorious and sumptuous past. It is still in use today. In the same complex, one will push with delight the doors of the impressive library which counts among its most famous works a dedicated copy of the Slovenian grammar of Adam Bohorič (end of the 16th century). The church is full of valuable information on the historical context with notes translated into French. Finally, a detour to the garden is a must in the summertime to admire and be intoxicated by the subtle essences of the famous bourbon roses. A nice escapade that offers a nice point of view on the border and on the architectural nuances that exist between Gorizia and Nova Gorica.

The place is experiencing a reasoned tourist surge. We discover the Hudičev Most, "le pont du Diable", the gorges and their large boulders polished by the runoff of water creating a succession of small waterfalls. A trip full of freshness and lightness. The path continues to a mountain refuge. The conquerors will attempt the adventure of the Triglav. The site is worth the trip and it is also possible to explore it as part of a canyoning activity.

It is located in the south-east of the city, a few hundred metres from the centre: it is the largest wood water wheel in Europe with a diameter of 13.60 m. It is more than two hundred and twenty years old. It was in operation until 1948 and pumped water from the mines to a depth of 283 m, at a rate of 2 m³ per minute. Its mechanism is still in a very good state of conservation today. The objective of this technical innovation was to allow miners to access the most isolated areas of the mine. Not to be missed!

The Zaprice Castle, built in the 14th century, has been the home of the town's inter-municipal museum since 1961. Among the interesting sights are a scholarly development of pastoral life in Velika Planina over the centuries and a permanent exhibition on the prestigious place of Kamnik in the Middle Ages. Another exhibition is devoted to the presentation of the latest archaeological excavations in the locality. Temporary exhibitions are presented and renewed several times a year.

From its 681 m altitude, the view is breathtaking if the sky is clear. On the site, there was a church destroyed by the Turks in the 14th century. Our Lady appeared to a young shepherdess and ordered her to build a new church (1544), which was destroyed during the First World War. The current one dates from 1928. The stained glass windows stand out for their bright colours. The Way of the Cross, so baroque, is one of the last traces of the old building since it dates back to 1765. A museum is also dedicated to the Great War.

The library contains more than 10,000 works from the 17th and 18th centuries, including a copy of the Dalmatin Bible, quite simply the first book in history translated into Slovenian! There are very few copies left in the world. To enter the library, enter the convent and feel free to knock on doors. A Franciscan monk will be pleased to help you discover the hidden treasures of this library, including a collection of some twenty original works printed locally.

This library is absolutely beautiful and worth a visit! It contains a large number of old Slovenian-language books that are part of the national literary heritage. The manuscript of The Passion of Škofja Loka, published in 1721, is particularly interesting. It is the oldest play written in the Slovenian language. Don't miss the staging of this famous text in the streets of the medieval city!

It is probably the most beautiful railway line in Slovenia. It crosses the entire Julian Alps. Departure point in Jesenice, arrival in Nova Gorica. The journey takes 2 hours, passes of course through the Bled and Bohinj lake region before criss-crossing almost the entire valley of the Soča and through a tunnel of more than 6 km. Panoramic views scroll by accompanied by the atypical sound of the steam locomotive. The animators take you back to the 19th century Austro-Hungarian. A great ride not to be missed for anything in the world!

Opened to the general public in 1952, this large 85-hectare botanical park - the most visited in Slovenia - exhibits more than 3,000 plants, nearly 5,000 trees and some 1,000 varieties of roses. Beyond these superlatives, one can also appreciate the superb collections of daffodils, tulips and rhododendrons. As the seasons change, the colours change, but not the poetry of the place. The exhibition on floral illusions is very successful because the artists invest the natural ground to divert it from its primary function. Guided tours possible in English.

Kamnik is a beautiful historic town surrounded by the Alps and close to Ljubljana and Bled. It's an ideal destination for lovers of culture, outdoor activities and excellent modern cuisine: craft beer and street food. Kamnik has four breweries, making it one of the cities with the highest number of breweries per inhabitant. If you take part in one of the Beer Way Slovenia tours, you can visit a brewery, enjoy guided craft beer tastings and sample excellent street food, all combined with various outdoor activities offering superb views of the Alpine region.

An ethnological monument from the end of the 19th century that commemorates the work and memory of the writer. Ciril Kosmač is a well-known figure in Slovenian literature. His French-language book Une journée de printemps was a great success in the 1950s. He recounts his youthful memories that resurface on his return to his native land after fifteen years of exile, with an ease with words reminiscent of Marcel Proust. In his childhood home we find his desk and drafts of his early writings.

During the Second World War, a 1,300 m long tunnel was built under the old town to protect the population from Allied bombing. You can visit the labyrinth in an unusual way, as occasional exhibitions are held here. In two permanent exhibitions you can see minerals, fossils and a reconstruction of the World War II bunker, in which you can even experience the simulation of an air raid.

A few kilometres from Bohinjska Bistrica there is a picturesque waterfall on a farm. After a short and pleasant walk along the meadows, it will appear to you, fabulous and full of water after heavy rains. This is one of the two most popular places for canyoning (the other being Jerečica) with daily sessions in high season. We'll appreciate the fact that we can get up close and personal with it, so volunteers for an invigorating ice bath are advised!