UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS IN SLOVENIA
United Nations Educational, ScientiďŹ c and Cultural Organization
UNESCO Global Geoparks
IDRIJA UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK The Idrija UNESCO Global Geopark includes a geologically exceptionally interesting area in the western part of Slovenia. It includes the Municipality of Idrija and covers the area of 294 km2. Numerous geological features, as well as a unique natural and cultural heritage impress many visitors. The Idrija Geopark is a heaven for active nature lovers, regardless of the season. You are welcome to visit it, experience the hospitality of the locals and witness the interesting stories written by people and the nature that surrounds this location.
Cycling with the view
Top experiences: • Explore the Upper Idrijca Landscape Park: treat yourself to a refreshing swim in the natural swimming spot at Lajšt, go fishing in the crystal - clear waters of the Idrijca, or visit one of the greatest of nature’s beauties, a peculiar and mysterious Divje jezero (Wild Lake). Perhaps you would like to hike to the majestic water barrier of Klavže, also known as the “Slovene Pyramids”, or take a walk along the path of the Slovene natural scientists along the Rake water channel; • A family or a couple experience: visit picturesque cycling and hiking thematic trails, explore the rich heritage of the Idrijsko and its magnificent botanical treasures along the way. A warm welcome to the European Geoparks Week (May/June); • Visit the Vojskarsko plateau, the Gačnik gorge, or feast your eyes upon the beautiful Idrija fault; • Visit fossilized dinosaur’s footprints in the vicinity of Godovič; • Descend into Anthony’s Main Road, into the secret underworld of Idrija’s mercury mine, which was awarded a place upon UNESCO’S World Heritage List;
Droplets of native mercury and cinnabar ore
ACTIVE ADVENTURE IN NATURE • Visit the renovated Hg Smeltery: a dynamic and educational tour about mercury ore mining; • Visit Kamšt, the mine pump dating from 1790, and is famous for its driving wheel with a diameter of 13.6 m, reputed as being the largest preserved wooden water wheel of its kind in Europe; • Attempt to create a delicate Idrija lace: visit exhibitions of this magnificent craft, that was made by skilful and diligent lace makers from Idrija, and try your hand at it at the local School of Lace. Welcome to the Idrija Lace Festival (June)! • Take a tour of the typical miner’s house with its characteristic elements of Idrija’s architectural and preserved living spaces; • Learn about 500 years of Idrija’s history at the Idrija Municipal Museum, located in the Gewerkenegg Castle; • Indulge yourself in an excellent gastronomic experience: taste Idrija’s žlikrofi (Idrija dumplings) with their characteristic Napoleon’s hat shape, which have a traditional specialty guaranteed and are protected and certified. Make sure you also experience other local delicacies: zeljševka, smukavc, štruklji, ocvirkovca, geruš (miners’ absinthe). And welcome to the Festival of Idrija Žlikrofi (August)!
The mysterious karstic lake - Wild lake
Timeless Idrija Lace
Monumental “klavže” water barriers
KARAVANKE/KARAWANKEN UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK The Karavanke Unesco Global Geopark is a cross border park between Austria and Slovenia, stretching across a geologically diverse area of 1,067 square kilometres, interspersed between the 2,000 metres high peaks of the Petzen/Peca and the Koschuta/Košuta. Regardless of the seasons or weather conditions, the Karavanke Geopark invites you to an unforgettable adventure and a trip deep into the Earth’s history. It offers memorable natural, cultural, hiking, cycling and winter experiences and provides numerous unique opportunities. You are cordially invited to explore the interesting stories that evolved through millions of years! Underground adventure - mine tour by Kayak
Top experiences: • Visit Podzemlje Pece - the former lead and zinc mine in Mežica by train, bike or kayak; • Visit the most beautiful karstic caves in Austria – The Obir Dripstone Caves; • Travel back in time to the Earth’s creation with help of the “Geoclock” at the Geopark Karavanke Information Centre »World of Geology« in Železna Kapla (Bad Eisenkappel), or glimpse upon the future and learn all about the Geopark’s special treats by means of the »Geopuls table«; • Explore the rich geological heritage and beautiful flora and fauna along numerous geological hiking trails and nature educational paths as well as at information-interpretation points; • Indulge in numerous hiking experiences by choosing one of the trails included in a network of over 1,200 kilometres of trails, or take a guided tour (full moon hike to Obir, to the sun rise in Africa, ...); • Experience the 10 kilometres long flow country trail at the Petzen/Peca, the longest trail of its kind in Europe;
Flow country trail at the Petzen/Peca
SECRETS WRITTEN IN STONE • Take a mountain biking tour in the Single Trail Park Jamnica; • Explore numerous natural sights (the Wildensteiner Waterfall - one of the highest freefalling waterfalls in Europe, the Topla Regional Park – a picturesque mountain valley, including a preserved ethnological heritage perspective, the Najevska lipa (Najevnik lime tree) – the oldest lime tree in Slovenia, the Bistra valley, the Dravograjsko jezero ornithological reserve, the Korške peči / Trögerner Klammgorge); • St. Hema Mountain – a 1,500-year-old pilgrimage site; • Learn more about the priceless cultural heritage, a rich mining, iron and coal tradition of the area in numerous museums and collections; • Freshen up at swimming lakes in the summer; • Indulge in winter fun; at the heart of the Karavanke Geopark (skiing on the Petzen/Peca, cross-country skiing, snow shoe hiking, glacier climbing, skating, making snow sculptures in Črna na Koroškem); • Visit events during the GEOfestival; • Enjoy the home tradition of Koroška gastronomy.
Wildensteiner waterfall
Obir dripstone caves
The winter world of the Karavanke / Karawanken UNESCO global geopark
The European Geoparks Network (EGN) and The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) Idrija UNESCO Global Geopark and Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark are both included in EGN and GGN. UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. Their bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is becoming increasingly popular. At present, there are 127 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 35 countries. A UNESCO Global Geopark uses its geological heritage, in connection with all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society. By raising awareness of the importance of the area’s geological heritage in history and society today, UNESCO Global Geoparks give local people a sense of pride in their region and strengthen their identification with the area. The creation of innovative local enterprises, new jobs and high quality training courses is stimulated as new sources of revenue are generated through geotourism, while the geological resources of the area are protected.
EGN Week in Idrija and Karavanke UNESCO Global Geoparks The European Geopark Network organizes every year the European Geoparks Week with the participation and contribution of the member Geoparks. The European Geoparks Week, taking place at late May early June each year, is a European – wide festival of Geoparks aimed at raising public awareness of geoconservation and promotion of the geological heritage as well as events aimed at informing the wide public about geotouristic and educational activities in geoparks. Events are varied and include public talks, activity days for schools, guided walks, exhibitions, workshops, etc. Visit Idrija and Karavanke UNESCO Global Geoparks during EGN Week! Information: www.geopark-idrija.si; www.visit-idrija.si; www.podzemljepece.com; www.geopark-karawanken.com
Dravograd
Lendava Ljutomer
Kranjska Gora
Ormož
Bovec
Podčetrtek
Lipica
KARAVANKE/KARAWANKEN UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK
Portorož
IDRIJA UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK
Idrija UNESCO Global Geopark Information: Tourist Information centre Idrija, Mestni trg 2, 5280 Idrija; +386 (0)5 37 43 916, tic@visit-idrija.si; www.geopark-idrija.si, www.visit-idrija.si
The Geopark Karavanke Information centre »World of Geology« Bad Eisenkappel/Železna Kapla, Hauptplatz 7, 9135 Bad Eisenkappel/Železna Kapla, Austria ++43 (0) 4238 8239 - 15 office@geopark-karawanken.at; www.geopark-karawanken.at The Geopark Karavanke Information centre »Podzemlje Pece« Mežica, Glančnik 8, 2392 Mežica, Slovenia +386 (0)2 870 01 80 info@podzemljepece.com; www.podzemljepece.com
@geoparkidrija @visitidrija @GeoparKaravanke @geoparkkarawanken Publisher: Idrija Heritage Centre • Organisation: Idrija Heritage Centre • Design: Oblikovanja, Anja Golob s.p. • Text: Tadeja Bezeljak, Klavdija Hvala, Gerald Hartmann, Darja Komar, Suzana Fajmut Štrucl • Translation: Vanja Živković Sedej • Photos: archive CID, archive CUDHg Idrija, archive OTH, F. Gerdl, G. Hartmann, T. Jeseničnik, Gregor Kacin, J. Lamprecht, Jani Peternelj, P. Skrzypiec, Samo Trebižan, R. Zabukovec • Print: UNITIS d.o.o. • Number of copies: 1000, August 2017
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Slovenian Tourist Board, foto: Jošt Gantar
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