Tourist Attractions & Monuments Slovenia

The ascent of Triglav is a pilgrimage, an initiation test for Slovenes. Some people no longer count the number of ascents they have made. Reaching the summit is not the prerogative of only high mountain specialists. However, a minimum of conditions is required. A good physical condition of course, a good equipment, and not to attempt the adventure alone. 3Glav in Bled has mountain guides. Contact them, as Triglav is not accessible most of the year. The arrival at the summit is a rare moment of apotheosis in a lifetime!

The brochures are written in English, German and Italian. In French, however, they are becoming more and more numerous. And don't hesitate to ask for the national brochures on accommodation (thematic, hotels, campsites or farm inns) as well as on the main natural sites (hiking, cycling). If you are staying in Ljubljana for several days, it is worth buying the Ljubljana Urbana Card, which is valid for up to three days and gives you free access to public transport and museums.

The passage is steep in places with ladder and handrail. You need hiking boots. The flora is rich, marked here by the presence of the highly protected Primula carniolica. The place is very pleasant. We follow the stream that leads us into narrow paths where we sink into beautiful gorges. Please note that the Pekel hostel is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The sight of ice climbers in the middle of winter is captivating - but don't dare to copy them, it's very dangerous!

They are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their exceptional size (the second largest mercury mine in the world). The visit begins with a short film that provides a better understanding of Idrija's mining reality. It continues with a breathtaking underground descent. As the visit progresses, we sink deeper underground, crossing here and there a period chapel, narrower and narrower galleries with wet walls. We then think of ourselves as the main character in a Jules Verne novel. Claustrophobic abstain!

Here is the oldest vineyard in the world. It backs onto the original wall dating from 1657. The city still manages to produce about 50 kilos a year for prestigious gifts for celebrities visiting the region. All the wines of the region are offered for tasting and sale in this small museum where you can also find other souvenirs but above all the history of this exceptional grape variety: Zametna Crnina or Modra Kavcina. Nice map of the vineyard.

The Nadiža River originates at the foot of the Stol ridge at the foot of the Matajur. It then heads south to cross the Italian border and flows into the Torre River. It creates pebble beaches, chasms and ponds on this tortuous path. It is one of the most temperate rivers in the Alps, and as a result is home to different kinds of marbled, rainbow and grayling trout and even a ten-legged European crab! Its turquoise waters are a paradise for fishing and bathing because this water has therapeutic virtues.

A pearl not to be missed under any circumstances. Admittedly, the climb is steep and can sometimes be obstructed by many tourists. A piece of advice: get over it and continue your ascent. You won't be disappointed! You will gain height on this dreamlike landscape and feel yourself sprouting wings, 190 m above the lake. Every photography enthusiast knows this place. Well marked out, the path allows you to reach Ojstrica in about twenty minutes and the view of the lake of Bled is quite simply, by itself, one of the must-see in the country.

The city walls of Piran are mentioned as early as the 7th century. To this day, Piran has retained its medieval character as a clustered urban fabric surrounded by a city wall. Its preserved remains are of exceptional historical value, giving the city a view that is well known to Slovenians. You can access the towers to have a magnificent view of the peninsula and the bay of Trieste. Definitely the place for the best photo views, a must-see.

This garden, founded in 1810, at the time of the Illyrian Provinces, contains more than 4,500 species, a third of which are local. Its affiliation with the University of Ljubljana enables it to be at the forefront of research and teaching and to play a major educational role in the safeguarding and knowledge of endangered species. Its imposing greenhouse, built for the 200th anniversary of the garden, is home to some strange tropical species.

Here we find all the nuances of turquoise and emerald that cover the bed of the Soča over a length of 750 meters. About fifteen meters deep, this canyon is particularly interesting for its steep walls and for polishing stones. The great Soča flows closely through it, cutting everything royally during its passage. The advantage is that they can be discovered in several ways: rafting, canyoning or kayaking. An activity that will delight the whole family!

A visit to discover this little-known musician in France. The superb house in which the exhibition is housed is quite simply the birthplace of the famous violinist. Today, it is the headquarters of Piran's Italian community. On the second floor are numerous posthumous objects belonging to the artist, including musical compositions, his self-portrait, and his famous violin, which accompanied him at every performance. Superb frescoes on display.

Seeing the castle is like spotting Bled. When Henry II offered the city to the bishops of Brixen in 1004, the castle did not look like this. It then consists of a Romanesque tower and an enclosure wall. Over the centuries, the work was completed. The small chapel dates from the 16th century, the frescoes are made in the 18th century. The restoration of the castle was undertaken in the 1950s. From the terrace, you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the lake. The museum traces the history of Bled from the earliest times to the present day.

It is the only real island of the country, constituting its most beautiful postcard. Disembarkation is by pletna, the local gondola. Departures take place near the Park Hotel as well as in Mlino, the regatta center (opposite the Park Hotel). The first inhabitants of the island are thought to have lived here around 1100 BC. On the site of the present church, there was a cult of the goddess Ïiva, who was worshipped by the Slavs in the Middle Ages and was sung by the poet France Prešeren.

The city's largest park began to take shape in 1813 according to the plans of the French engineer Jean Blanchard. Today, it covers almost 5 km2 and is divided into three parts by large avenues of chestnut trees. Geometric paths, flower squares, beautiful trees, numerous statues, fountains and a training path with accessories for outdoor exercises, the place is ideal for relaxation a few hundred meters from the center. Beautiful view from the top of Rožnik and its memorial Ivan Cankar.

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.

The oldest part of this extensive castle dates from the ^10th or ^11th century, in particular the west tower. Owned by the bishops of Salzburg at the end of the ^11th century, the building passed to the lords of Pettau (Ptuj) in 1132, who ruled for three centuries until the death of the last descendant, Friedrich IX, in 1438. The complex underwent major transformations. Among the many occupants were the Scottish Leslie family, who bought the castle from the destitute Jesuits from 1656 to 1802, and the von Herberstein family, who owned it privately for the last time from 1873 to 1945, acquiring it at auction.

The entrance portal, named the Peruzzi portal after the architect who renovated the castle until 1572, is surmounted by an attic featuring lions framing the Leslie family coat of arms, three belt buckles. The courtyard is bordered by fine arcades on three levels, with pillars on the first floor and Tuscan columns on the upper floors. Friedrich IX's Salzburg red marble tombstone is one of the most famous of the Gothic period.

The museum boasts a remarkable collection of ^18th- and ^19th-century musical instruments on the first floor (processional organ with bellows, harp, lute, clavichord, Bosendorfer piano). In front of each display case, you can listen to a short musical moment recorded on the instrument of your choice. The Salle des Chevaliers houses a collection of ^17th-century Flemish and French tapestries, furniture, a collection of weapons dating from the ^14th to the ^19th century and, above all, one of the most important collections of Oriental portraits on the Old Continent. Under the brushstrokes of anonymous ^17th-century painters, European monarchs take on the appearance of their Turkish counterparts. The Leslie family coat of arms bears the motto: Grip fast, meaning "hold fast". Walter Leslie was awarded the Order of the Golden Fleece for his victories in the Thirty Years' War and his career as a diplomat in the service of the Emperor.

Curiosities include the ^17th-century chapel with its off-axis altar, the Herberstein family clock collection, a secretary with marble and semi-precious stone marquetry, and the room lined with "chinoiseries". With carnival masks and kurent, the visit takes on an ethnographic profile. The museum also features works by France Mihelič (1907-1998).

The museum is the only part of the castle that can be visited. Mentioned as early as 1215, it was severely damaged by the earthquake of 1511. It was bought back and renovated by the Ursulines at the end of the ^19th century. The museum showcases local handicrafts and several rooms recounting the history of the site. Works by the great Slovenian painter Ivan Grohar are on display, along with reproductions of medieval frescoes and period furniture.

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.

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 museum, located in the lively Metelkova district, presents the work of largely unknown artists from the alternative scene in Central Europe. The aim of the exhibition is to bring emerging contemporary art from the region into dialogue with more established Western European art. There are several landmark works by internationally renowned artists such as Marina Abramović and Kasimir Malevich. The large library brings together nearly 70,000 works.

The National Gallery of Slovenia is the central institution of ancient art in Slovenia. It holds the largest collection of Slovenian plastic works - from the early Middle Ages to the 20th century. The first exhibition in the permanent collection of Slovenian art dates back to 1933 in the Narodni Dom building in 1896 and was built according to the designs of František Škabrout, the Czech architect (Cankarjeva cesta 20). The collection follows a chronological order: from the Gothic plastic works of the 13th century to the paintings of the Slovenian Impressionists at the beginning of the 20th century.

The presentation of the medieval sculpture is enriched by the regional particularities of this period. Baroque art of the 17th and 18th centuries determines the works of Carniolan painters such as Valentin Metzinger, Anton Cebej, Fortunat Bergant and Franc Jelovšek as well as wood carving. The collection of 19th century paintings expresses the evolution of painting: it begins with the portraits and regions of Biedermeier, continues with the romantic landscapes and late realism of the 19th century and ends with impressionism. The opuses of Jožef Petkovšek, the works of the Šubic brothers, Ivana Kobilca and Anton Ažbe express great interest. 19th century sculpture is represented by the works of Alojzij Gangl, Alojzij Repič, Ivan Zajec and other historical representatives. The works of sculptors such as Franc Berneker, Svetoslav Peruzzi and Lojze Dolinar are marked by more modern trends. With the paintings of Impressionists Ivan Grohar, Rihard Jakopič, Matija Jama and Matej Sternen, the collection extends into the 20th century, but rather into the period of efforts to consolidate national art. In 1997, the permanent collection was placed in the new added building, otherwise known as the European Painters' Picture Gallery. The works are arranged according to nationalities and schools (Italian painters, Spanish school, French painters, Flemish and Dutch painters, German and Central European painters, as well as 19th and 20th century painters). The glass entrance, which was built in 2001, and two exhibition rooms are intended for temporary exhibitions or events.

In general, this place has an undisguised enthusiasm, accentuated by the friendliness of the staff as well as by the popularized presentation of the works and artists, accessible to people who do not know how to read Slovenian.

As soon as you arrive in Celje, your gaze is naturally drawn to this monument. It gives the impression of watching over the city. The castle, truly well-preserved, perfectly embodies the image of medieval castles: walls, loopholes, keep and inner courtyards. The walls offer a good view of Celje, and the medieval torture mini-theater included in the tour will give you the chills. Numerous festivities are organized here, including a medieval festival with a gargantuan feast and concerts throughout the summer.

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.

The building was designed by the architect Vladimir Hrasky in 1885. The ceiling frescoes are painted by Janez and Jurij Šubic. The permanent collections are devoted to prehistoric art, ethnology, fauna and flora. In the square there is a statue of the Slovenian historian Valvasor (1641-1693). The most interesting curiosity to discover is the famous Neanderthal flute, sixty thousand years old, considered the oldest musical instrument in the world.

It was built after the Second World War. The building was designed by Edvard Ravnikar. The permanent collection is composed of paintings, sculptures, but also touches the photography or graphic arts. The latter are honored during the International Biennial which takes place every odd year in the museum. The descriptions in English give a clearer picture of Ljubljana's role as the cultural capital of Yugoslavia.

The Tivoli Castle is renovated between 1983 and 1989 to accommodate larger exhibitions than those of the Biennale. The place is loaded with history. In the th century, there was a tower. Another building, Podturn, that is, "below the tower" succeeds him, property of Baron Apfaltern. He succeeded in defending the castle of attacks carried out by the counts of Celje. The castle was renovated in the th century by the Jesuits who managed the park and became the prince bishop's seasonal residence. In the middle of the 1860 th century Count Radetzky became owner and the city of Ljubljana became a recipient in. Now the international centre of graphic art, temporary exhibitions are often reduced according to the themes selected in these few rooms.

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.

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.

It is a great classic but still very enjoyable. The company offers a small cruise on the river Ljubljanica. This allows visitors to cross the city at the leisurely pace of a walker. A trip that is worth the detour because it allows you to discover the old town in a different way. For our more romantic readers, there is a special cruise with champagne service on board!

It was certainly established at the end of the 6th century in the heart of the old walled city, but its current architectural version, designed by the Venetian architect Massari, dates from the mid-18th century. You will enjoy visiting the chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Carmel, a medieval vestige of the old church, beautifully preserved. You can also admire the pictorial talent of Carpaccio, Venetian artists known for their altarpieces. Beautiful view from the campanile.

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.

In Koper, you quickly feel cramped when it comes to beaches. For some, the lack of space and fine sand could even be prohibitive. If you enjoy a calm and serene swim, choose the Zusterna beach, which will not guarantee you a moment of solitude but which will have the merit of offering you a place to put your towel down. The downtown beach, concrete and grassy, is well equipped (changing rooms, showers). To the north, the beach of the port enjoys a beautiful panorama, but no guarantee on water quality.

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.

The centre is located in the old Praetorian Palace, which stands on the most beautiful square in the city. You will find a wealth of practical information about the region and you will be able to buy the Koper Card, to benefit from several discounts in town. The tourist agents are good advisers and will provide you with ideas for itineraries according to your wishes. They will also inform you about local festive events and the availability of accommodation and food on site.

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.

Visible from the small town, this medieval landmark has kept its features after renovation. Built in the middle of the 12th century, it is first mentioned in 1213. On the first floor, historical presentation of the site and engravings from Visher Topographia Ducatus Stirie's book, which lists the castles in the area. In the basement there is a collection of glass objects from Rogaška Slatina from the Kozjansko region. Beautifully renovated since 1983 under the auspices of the Kozjansko Regional Park, the castle is one of the most intimate in the country.

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.

The main beach belongs to the municipality, so it is free, but the big hotels take the opportunity to display their deckchairs that they rent at a high price. Don't expect long sandy beaches: here, almost directly on the beach, you have your feet in the water and it's hard to find a place to put your towel down. Don't worry, you are in the Adriatic, the water temperature will be mild. For swimming in summer, it is best to head towards Ankaran, which offers a slightly less crowded beach.

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.

A tropical garden with a humid and warm atmosphere that includes nearly a thousand exotic plants. The garden is well-designed, lush and has small educational workshops to help you better understand how the finished product is obtained from the raw plant - examples of the pepper and coffee plant. Superb orchid garden - more than 4,000 in total with an unsuspected number of varieties - too. A moment of total change of scenery guaranteed!

Information on Parliament and Slovenian parliamentarians.

The official website of the CIA presents the country's main characteristics: geography, society, government, economy, communication, transport…

Presentation of Slovenian post. The little plus: email rates for sending your holiday mail.

Discover the city of culture and technology. The beautiful photos of this site will bring you into the picturesque atmosphere of this half-way mining town between tradition and modernity.

Ruins of the former Carthusian monastery. Founded in 1160, Žiče has remained virtually unchanged since then. You can see this in the church, whose roof collapsed in 1840. Žiče remained a medical centre for a long time, until it was dissolved.

The twelve Carthusian monks who settled there were originally from France. The monastery was the first to be founded outside the Latin world.

It is surrounded by ramparts of which a restored defence tower remains. Dissolved in 1782 by Emperor Joseph II, it passed into the hands of the Counts of Windischgrätz, who were the last owners. The Gothic chapel dates from 1469. At Spitalič lived converse brothers who were in contact with the inhabitants, unlike the Carthusian monks who respected a very strict rule.

Surrounded by forests, the old monastery is a place of meditation. The surrounding calm is soothing. The renovated buildings and the ruins of the other buildings are a source of imagination. The small museum is lulled by Carthusian songs. Today a herbalist's shop has been rebuilt in order to (re) discover artisanal therapeutic mixtures made from medicinal plants. The place is worth a visit for the sumptuous panorama it offers and to discover more about the French past of the monastery. For the bravest, a hiking trail starts from Slovenske Konjice and arrives here, it takes a good hour's walk.

Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs listing many practical information (embassies, consulates abroad, administrative formalities, authorized vaccination centres…).

Official site of the government. You can find all the official information and links in English.

The castle was built in the early 17th century by the Carthusian monks of the monastery of Žiče. In 1828 it became the property of the Windischgrätz family. The chapel has a ceiling decorated with angel heads, leaves and stucco medallions. The Church of the Three Wise Men dates from the 16th century. It was built near Velika vrh (1,347 m) and is mentioned by Jože Tomažič in his tales and legends. A nice visit that should delight lovers of history and architecture.