Tourist Attractions & Monuments Slovenia

The cult of Mithras was never a religion recognized by Rome. Therefore, these sacred places were outside the city. From the middle of the 3rd century, some temples crossed the boundaries of Ptuj. Sanctuaries I and II can be seen respectively at Spodnja Hajdina, about 4 km west of the town, and at Zgornji Breg. Contact the Regional Museum for a visit or ask for the key from your neighbour.

Mithra I. Spodnja Hajdina. To get there, take the direction of Maribor. On leaving Ptuj, turn left before the intersection of the roads leading to Ljubljana and Maribor. After 300 m, turn left at the sign. Park below and follow a small path between fir trees and corn crops. To obtain the key, you have to go to n° 40 (family Župančič). Built in the middle of the 2nd century A.D. by officials of the customs administration which had its seat in Ptuj. This set, discovered in 1898-1899, was covered in 1910.

Mithra II. Zgornji Breg. Beforehand take the direction of Maribor. At the sign indicating the sanctuary, turn right. The key's in number three. This sanctuary was founded in the second half of the 3rd century AD by soldiers of the 13th Germina and Macedonia legions, who settled in Ptuj. The site was revealed in 1913. The temple was built a year later to protect it.

The sites are remarkably well preserved and clearly worth the trip if you are staying in the Ptuj area.

Take the pass road Pavličevo in the direction of Austria. In the middle of the climb, turn right (the only one). You can't go wrong, there's a lot of signs at the crossroads. This road is not asphalted but is easily passable. It is 20 km long and offers the most beautiful views of Logarska Dolina, Olševa and Raduha. Many consider it to be the most beautiful in Slovenia. And it's true! Landscapes parade to the rhythm of farms and hamlets. You're wondering how people manage to live here. You stop to enjoy a local meal that only tourist farms know how to prepare. At a bend in the road, you discover Sveti Duh, a small church on its promontory with Raduha in the background. The road ends in Bukovnik (Slovenia's highest farmhouse at 1,323 m), an eagle's nest on the slopes of Raduha. This is the most beautiful view of Logarska Dolina. The return journey is by the same road, then you will take the direction of Solčava. You can also switch to the Meza Valley, following the direction of Črna na Koroskem. Additional points of interest include the glacial valley of Matkov Kot and Matkov Okno. On the road to Ojstrica, you will discover the monumental giant larch trees, trees that are almost 30 m high and 5 m in circumference. Finally, the panorama that opens on the Robanov Kot is quite grandiose and can be the subject of a small excursion within its sublime natural park.

This glacial valley is also a natural park. It is surrounded by Križevnik (1 901 m), Ojstrica (2 350 m) and Krofička (2 083 m).

The remains were discovered in 1952. In the middle of the 3rd century, the flooded Savinja had swept everything away. The mausoleum of Spectatius (II) was erected for himself and his son as stated in the inscription. This monument to the right of the central aisle is the most important. Downstairs is the burial urn. The Four Seasons fill the walls while in the middle of the canopy, the mother of the two Priscanius is in the spotlight.

Enius was given the most beautiful mausoleum. It's a beautiful work of art. A bas-relief depicts a bull ridden by Princess Europe. Bas-reliefs decorate the sides of the double-cap canopy: a horse fleeing from a lion, a gazelle being chased by a dog.

With the westernmost mausoleum of Secundianius (IV), the decline of Rome is on display. Built in 250, the building is crude. To the right of the aisle leading to it, an isolated funerary altar is dedicated to Vindonius, an important Celtic figure. On the front wall, a bas-relief represents Hercules bringing Alcestis back from the underworld.

If you wish to discover all the Roman heritage of the region of Celeia (today's Celje), this place is for you because it allows you to become aware of the organization of daily and economic life within the Roman Empire through the practical example of a necropolis. To complete your ancient knowledge of the region, visit the Regional Museum of Celje and its subsoil or Poetovio (today's Ptuj).

Terme Olimia is a spa complex located in Podčetrtek. The spa offers a variety of facilities and services for well-being and relaxation. The Wellness Orhidelia is the jewel of the complex, with its indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and relaxing treatments. It has been voted Slovenia's best wellness center on several occasions. Family Wellness Termalija is Slovenia's largest family wellness center, offering activities for every member of the family. Thermal Park Aqualuna is a water park with over 3,000 m2 of aquatic fun for all ages. Terme Olimia also offers selfness programs, a philosophy focused on well-being and personal happiness. The complex features several hotels and accommodations, including Hotel Sotelia, Hotel Breza, Aparthotel Rosa, Lipa Village, Olimia Adria Village glamping and Natura camping. Whether you're looking for a relaxing getaway or a convention destination, Terme Olimia offers a unique experience of well-being and relaxation.

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.

6 km away. Originally, a chapel dedicated to St. Barbara stood on this site on top of the Straža hill. The present building was erected between 1721 and 1725 in response to the many pilgrims who had previously come to pray before the supposedly miraculous representation of St. Francis Xavier. The work therefore deserved its own church. It also contains a gold chalice donated by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, a silver monstrance donated by Archduchess Maria Anne of Austria, and two chasubles donated by the kings of France and Poland.

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.

A visit to this museum dedicated to the great creator Veno Pilon, photographer, painter and French translator of Sežana-born poet Srečko Kosovel, is a must. Temporary exhibitions are held on the first floor. The museum was founded in 1973 and also publishes exhibition catalogs. Part of the museum is located in the artist's former family home. The paintings from the 1920s are a gallery of portraits taken in Paris.

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.

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.

Not far from Ig, the old swamps host one of the country's most beautiful churches. External horizontal lines agree with this flat earth. However cold and austere, they don't let you guess the interior architecture, a haven of peace bathed with heat. A modern temple with its wooden structure decorated with geometric motifs, the use of brick and copper, and these columns that make progress towards the sacred place. Plečnik has just blocked our certainties.

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!

To the east of the village of Šempeter, a 5-minute walk away, there is a preserved Roman roadway along which you will find renovated plans of cellars and smaller burials. Not far from the Roman necropolis, there are remains of the via romana which connected the towns of Ptuj (Poetovio), Celje (Celeia), Ljubljana (Emona) and Trieste (Tergesta). Some 300 m of the road have been uncovered and give an idea of the great technical superiority of the Roman people in late antiquity.

The Lto Rogla-Zreče is a tourist association that aims to promote the Rogla-Pohorje region. Their website offers a wealth of information on the attractions and activities available in the region.

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 first religious building was erected in 1356, on which, in 1547, a church was rebuilt several times over the centuries. Fortunately, the Renaissance design and Baroque modifications have been preserved. To see inside: beautiful 15th century paintings and 17th century frescoes. The Istrian stone belfry is over 30 m high. You have to climb its 99 steps to reach the best viewpoint of Izola. With this tower-belfry, which gives the Slovenian town its distinctive silhouette, the church is much visited.

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.

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.

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).

Discovered as early as Antiquity, it was quickly opened to visitors. In the 19th century, the most famous psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud, visited it in his turn and added to the recent fame of the place. Measuring about 500 m, one is quickly impressed by the limestone accumulation that has formed over the millennia and which gives the cave a very special appearance. We find timeless forms and a luxuriant biodiversity. The cave has also made headlines recently because it has become a NASA training camp.

This cave bordering the Ponikve karst was opened to the public in 1972. Human bones from the Neanderthal era have been found there. It's named after a rock with a devil-like entrance. Inside, there are beautiful galleries, where even cultural events are held, there are many water currents, small lakes and waterfalls. Don't miss the highest underground waterfall in Slovenia. Also possible: the guided discovery of the paths bordering the cave. Amazing!

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!

The office is located near the bus station.

Flosarska zbirka is also and above all a small local museum dedicated to the Savinja River and the flow of wood, but also has tourist information.

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.

It is a rocky needle on the left 4 km upstream from Luče with an intermittent and fluctuating source. Water appears every 10 to 20 minutes. This natural site is particularly famous in Slovenia and throughout the former Yugoslavia. A hundred years ago, climbing it was the only way to get to Luce from Solcava. One admires the courage of the few intrepid climbers who have overcome this extreme difficulty, which is still some 40 m high.

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.

Križna jama is an 8.5 km long karst cave dug and fed by the waters of the Bloke Plateau with 22 underground lakes. The aquatic part can be visited by canoe in groups of five. Equipment is provided. It is renowned for the beauty of its stalagmites and lakes. If you meet amateur speleologists on site, they will tell you about it enthusiastically. "The most beautiful in Slovenia", certainly the wildest. It is essential to book your place several weeks in advance for a summer visit.

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.

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 museum is housed in the former Altenburg castle dating from the th century, the former possession of the counts of Celje, who also houses the music school today. The museum highlights the importance of wood-related activities in the valley, especially wood flotation, carpenters'work… During the visit, the scents of wood and sawdust are present at any time. A pretty little museum ideally located opposite the local wood company.

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.

It would be the only cave in the world where two rivers meet. Pivka and Rak are indeed mixing to give birth to Unica. The new course disappears to better reappear in Vrhnika, now called Ljubljanica. The cave is home to many proteins, eels and other aquatic salamanders. Some 7 km long, it can be visited on foot (a small 1-hour tour) or by boat (a 4-5-hour tour), using lamps because it is not lit.

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.

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!

The farm has horses and walks are therefore possible.

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.

This farm is located close to 1 000 m above sea level, 7 km north-west of Zreče, overlooking the Dravinja valley.