Things to see and do Southeast

Since autumn 2004, the museum has been housed on the second floor of this store, which was too cramped for space in the old building between the church and the presbytery. Since 1969, an annual meeting of naive painters and sculptors has been held here. The permanent collection comprises over 800 works from some thirty countries on all continents. The "Brno 1617" exhibition took two years to complete. A must-see museum.

The spring emerges from this karst cave which is about 200 m long and reaches 30 m wide. At the end of the cave, a lake of about 50 meters served as a place of retreat during the time of the Ottoman invasions. The guided tours are very interesting because they highlight the richness of the underground and underwater fauna. Some prestigious concerts take place here because of the exceptional acoustics.

Thematic and chronological collection of models of the Yugoslavian and then Slovenian car industry since the Second World War. There are of course models from Renault, but also prototypes of Adria motorhomes that have been brought up to date. Beyond the beautiful variety of vehicles on display, we discover all the work behind the scenes - from design to marketing. A nice company visit, to be read with all the necessary care.

The intense blue Lahinja River has its source here. The many marshes and wetlands are home to a multitude of bird species. The park's emblem is a kingfisher. Many interesting natural sites: a karst cave called Zjot, beautiful hiking trails, etc. Several cultural sites are also worth a look: the medieval hamlet of Pusti Gradec or the bucolic promenade of Klepčev with its traditional sawmill. A calm and simple site like the Bela Krajina.

The museum is housed in the partially preserved 13th century castle. Only one piece brings together the suha roba and the pottery. A wall map allows you to locate the villages where these wooden objects, which have made the reputation of the city, are still made at home. You will have understood it, the craft heritage of the region is in the spotlight! Other rooms, less easily accessible, are devoted to local history. Several temporary exhibitions during the year.

The highlight of the region. Its name can be translated into French as "montagne paisible" (peaceful mountain). Local legend tells us that this was not always the case. Indeed, a dragon would have decided to disturb the tranquillity of the place, making the harvest unsuitable and accelerating the famine among the villagers. It was then decided to build a church in honour of Saint Francis Xavier, known for his fierce and effective fight against the bad weather. It was a success. Otherwise, an unobstructed view of the region in the middle of a beautiful mixed forest of fir and beech trees.

Created in 1969, to mark the centenary of the founding in Metlika of Slovenia's first fire department. This is hardly surprising, given that the little town burned down more than a dozen times in the ^15th and ^16th centuries, during the Turkish invasions, and completely at the beginning of the ^18th century. In the pavilion to the right of the castle, fire engines and hoses have been assembled. The museum itself tells the story of Slovenian firefighters under the protection of St. Florian, with diplomas, awards, medals and photos.

Stop right there! Vera Vardjan makes gudaloes, these terracotta pots covered with a membrane of pig's bladder. In the middle, a stick is placed in a small hole. You get a sound, different for each pot, by sliding your wet fingers along the stick. The instrument plays the role of an accompanying bass. Vera's grandfather used to make them. The place offers the opportunity to discover other artisanal products. A veritable Ali Baba's cave - literally and figuratively speaking - to find THE original gift!

Unchanged since the 16th century. The main square, in fact a street, is lined with old bourgeois houses. The town hall was erected in 1905. The coat of arms on the facade depicts Rudolf IV, the founding emperor. The charm of the place lies in its beautiful arcades, which recall the important commercial past of Novo Mesto in the Middle Ages. There are now a few hotels, a few bars, a supermarket and the tourist office. Several cultural events are organized in this nerve centre of the city.

Museum highlighting the great hours of the Dolenjska region. Explanations in English are provided; this gives a clear idea of the local history. However, after an overdeveloped treatment of the prehistoric and Roman periods, one will regret the surprising bias of the museum not to deal with regional historical aspects between the 10th and 20th centuries. In an enigmatic chronological scramble, we leap a millennium to discover a memorial to the partisan resistance during the Second World War.

Just 200 m from the museum, the gallery is housed in the former family-run café-hotel designed by architect Giuseppe Olivo, who also designed the town hall. Following Anton Jakac's bankruptcy, the building has had a succession of owners. Converted into an art gallery in 1984, the building was symbolically given back to the great Slovenian painter. Over 800 works are on display: drawings, pastels, oils and watercolors, representing seventy years of activity. A work, a life to discover!

A 35 km long and 15 km wide karst massif covered with forests, with the highest point Veliki Rog reaching 1,099 m, straddling the Dolenjska and Bela Krajina region. Kočevski Rog is a large wild plateau where wildlife abounds. This is home to the largest bear population in the country. There are also wolves and bobcats. As deer, roe deer and wild boar are numerous, these territories are the most famous hunting grounds in Slovenia.

Don't miss Baza 20, the Mecca of Yugoslav resistance during the last world war. After parking the car in the car park, follow the marked path. It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the barracks, some of which remain open.

The place is not very crowded and allows you to discover the partisans' huts scattered in the forest, between large boulders. Baza 20, the political and military headquarters of the national liberation movement, is a place steeped in the history and memory of the former Yugoslavia. Since 1952, the complex has been classified as a cultural monument. It is the only site of its kind in Europe. It was occupied from April 1943. In the autumn of 1944, 140 people lived here in 26 shacks. Baza 20 was never discovered by the German army. The hostel is open every day. A huge concrete block, it offers a place of choice to the liberator of the country, Marshal Tito. National reconciliation took place on these wild lands in 1990 during the Slovenian Spring.

Because of its wild side, Kočeski Rog is one of the most beautiful sites for hiking. The landscapes are not those of the Julian Alps or the Karawanken, but the charm of nature in its raw state works. Lovers of forest walks, you will be fulfilled. You will find a multitude of trails including the famous Roška Pespot, which is 60 km long and circles the massif. It takes three days to go through it in its entirety. Nevertheless, it is easy to cover several portions during the day, the best being the one leading to Veliki Rog, the highest point on the plateau. With a little luck, you'll find bear tracks, and maybe you'll spot one. However, it is better not to stray from the marked trails and to inform yourself about the itineraries as it is very easy to get lost. For forests, it is advisable to discover the Rajhenavski Rog forest, one of the six primary forests of the massif. No human activity took place in these woods. The atmosphere is truly special.

This small cave was discovered in 1937 by locals, after bad weather that allowed the opening of a breach in the rock. It has been open to the public since 1971. Without being as impressive as some of its sisters, there is a dreamlike atmosphere thanks to the fauna and flora it shelters. The visit lasts 40 minutes at a temperature of 12 °C. The commentary is pre-recorded, possibly in English.

The regional museum is housed in the old castle. The first rooms are dedicated to archaeology and the peoples who occupied the territory. The ethnological exhibition shows aspects of life in Bela Krajina: viticulture, flax and hemp cultivation, sheep breeding. Small craftsmen's workshops have been reconstructed while beautifully painted Easter eggs are on display. A large part is devoted to the period 1914-1945 with the facts of war, the resistance, the popular revolution in visual but also sound form.

This is where Veronika Deseniška, the second wife of Friderik II of Celje, hid to escape abuse. A gigantic ice cave with an entrance measuring only 30 m x 20 m. The thickness of the ice becomes more and more impressive as you reach the bottom of the cavity. Of course, the place had an essential function in previous centuries because it served as a giant refrigerator for the local population to avoid winter food shortages.

The largest tourist office in the historic Bela Krajina region, which is full of good accommodation, including high quality hostels and tourist farms. Good gastronomic advice and about the most fun activities to do around here. Documentation and brochures mainly in English and Italian, but some information is also available in French. Free Wifi access on site.

A welcoming service that provides comprehensive information. The agents will inform you about cultural or natural activities to be done as well as local festive events and the availability of accommodation and food on site. Bicycle rental service on site, sale of postcards and brochures in many languages, some in French. Free, self-service Internet access on site.

The tourist office will inform you about fishing, canoeing, skiing and the many activities to be done in this natural setting. Lots of documentation on the region's must-see cultural sites. Further information about the thermal baths. A very suitable welcome and a good proposal of quality services concerning accommodation, catering and other more practical aspects. Internet access on site.

Provides a wealth of information on cultural and natural sites to discover 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 give you information on local festive events and the availability of accommodation and food on site. You can buy wooden objects and tools called suha roba which have made Ribnica legendary.

In Gothic style, the Church of St. Nicholas Chapter has a surprisingly broken longitudinal axis due to numerous modifications. Some altars are decorated with works by Valentin Metzinger (1699-1759). The jewel of the city, a Saint Nicholas by the Venetian master Le Tintoretto (1518-1594), is in the choir. The chapter is also worth a look. Created in 1493, it was renovated until 1623 after a fire in 1576. The crypt can be visited.