Rekonstrukcija naselbine Visit Žirovnica’spoznoantične attractions by lojtrnik na Ajdni. Vir: ZVKD Kranj
ŽIROVNICA CULTURAL HERITAGE PATH
THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF AJDNA ABOVE THE VILLAGE OF POTOKI
Žirovnica Cultural Heritage Path, which connects the birth
Ajdna
houses of the giants of the Slovenian literature and the
Green Energy
The climb up to Ajdna is repaid by a beautiful view
is
one
of
the
most prominent Late-Antiquity
beehives of the pioneer of European apiculture, Anton Janša, is
archaeological findings in the Slovenian territory. In the
one of the most beautiful Slovenian thematic paths. Experience
5th and 6th centuries, during the attacks of the peoples from
it individually or through a group guided tour.
the north, the locals took refuge on the rocky slope on the southern side of the Stol hill, with its form, resembling a tooth. The views extend up to the Julian Alps and Bled Lake.
In addition to Prešeren’s and Čop’s birth houses, the guide will also take you to Dolenčeva kajža. This is the old name of
Take a walk along the Cultural Heritage Path
LAND OF STORIES AND FRIENDLY PEOPLE The picturesque villages below the mountain of Stol exude a special peace and tranquillity. Discover Žirovnica, embraced by meadows, forests and mountains inviting you to enjoy the pleasures of nature.
the homestead of Fran Saleški Finžgar, author of the great
The story and the objects found during excavations, led by
historical epic Pod svobodnim soncem (Under the Free Sun).
the archaeologist Milan Sagadin, stir up one’s imagination.
Finžgar developed a feeling for authentic language in the
A special enigma is the grave of a young woman, buried with
winter evenings, while listening to the tales of the men from
jewellery. Was this the famous Pagan girl (Ajdovska deklica)?
the village in the chimney corner of his own home. Stories
Recommended for: families, culture and history enthusiasts Contact: info@visitzirovnica.si
from the old times also await you in the birth house of Janez Jalen, master of mountain pasture tales and author of the prehistory novel entitled Bobri (Beavers).
THE BIRTH HOUSES OF THE GIANTS OF SLOVENIAN LITERATURE
Recommended for: families and culture enthusiasts Bookings: by agreement Contact: info@visitzirovnica.si
Recommended for: families and small groups Bookings: by agreement
in Čop’s house, does not tell that. It invites you to ascend the
Contact: info@visitzirovnica.si or Transports with lojtrnik,
Ajdna hill with a mysterious atmosphere.
Janez Vidic, T: +386 (0)31 830 364
ON THE ROAD IN THE LOJTRNIK TRADITIONAL CARRIAGE
Adventures in Žirovnica are accompanied by masterly written
In the warmer part of the year, you can experience the
poems and novels. Relive the stories of the greatest Slovenian
Žirovnica Cultural Heritage Path in the most nostalgic and
writers with local guides. The birth houses of Matija Čop and
Prešeren’s birth place
authentic way — by lojtrnik, a wooden horse-drawn carriage,
Not far from the well-known towns of Bled and Radovljica
France Prešeren are also tourist information points, where you
once also called zapravljivček (the spender). Uncle Janez likes
there is a land of good stories, where the greatest masters
can book a guided tour along the Žirovnica Cultural Heritage
to take the reins and drive you around the museum houses of
of writing of Slovenia’s territory were born and spent their
Path, which connects all the cultural attractions.
the greatest Slovenian masters of writing of the 19th century,
formative years – France Prešeren, Matija Čop, Fran Saleški Finžgar and Janez Jalen. Experience the views that inspired these poets and writers. This cradle of Slovenian culture has a one hundred-year-old beekeeping tradition and will inspire you with its green energy. We, the inhabitants of Žirovnica, call ourselves the Kašarji. The name comes from the most common meal in the old days – porridge. We cannot wait to welcome you to Porridge land! Maybe the porridge had to do something with the fact that in this traditionally rural environment so many famous Slovenian literates and poets were born.
stopping the carriage by Janša’s beehives and tasting the Get to know France Prešeren, the greatest Slovenian poet, and
delicious honey products.
the author of the Slovenian national anthem. He lived in the village of Vrba, in a typical house of the 16th century, which
Find out what kind of cradle France Prešeren had, and what
century,
Matija Čop did for the Slovenian language. Discover how Fran
the time that Prešeren lived there. In Čop’s birth house, who
Saleški Finžgar got the inspiration for his epic battles between
used to be a good friend of Prešeren, the memory of the great
the Slavs and the Byzantines, and which mountain pastures
linguist lives on. In one of the rooms there is an exhibition of
inspired Janez Jalen. All these impressions will be connected
life on Ajdna; in the Late Antiquity, a village with a magnificent
by the breathtaking views of the meadows under the mountain
view revived on this 1000m hill.
of Stol and the wind in your hair blowing down from the Alps.
today is a museum of the living culture of the 19
th
The bronze bird, which is the main symbol of the exhibition
We recommend: an ascent of Stol, the highest summit of the Karavanke, or visit the planina (mountain pastures) of Potoška, Žirovniška, Zabreška and Doslovška beneath it
Recommended for: hikers and history enthusiasts
HIT THE TRAILS
Archaeological finding: freely accessible Opening time of the exhibition in Čop’s house: from
Žirovnica lies in a green valley at the foot of the Karavanke
Monday to Friday, 8–11am and 12–3pm
mountain range. The forests reach right to the edge of the fragrant meadows, and the higher any of the mountain paths
Discover the abandoned village from the 4 century on Ajdna th
lead, the more beautiful are the views. You can choose between easy walks along the Završnica Valley and going higher; the Karavanke mountain range tempts you to real mountaineering challenges. The views of the Alpine peaks and valleys from the 2000m peaks inspire mountaineers with a special enthusiasm. The Valvasor mountain hut beneath Stol (Valvasorjev dom pod Stolom) is one of the most popular mountain huts in Slovenia. A cheerful atmosphere can be also felt in the Prešeren Hut on Stol (Prešernova koča na Stolu) and the Hut near the Spring of Završnica (Dom pri izviru Završnice) in Zelenica. Visit the partisan camp at Tito’s village (Titova vas) or the Turkish Cave (Turška jama), which offer interesting stories from the past in the shelter of the forest.
The Turkish Cave (Turška jama) in the shelter of the forest
CONTACT AND INFORMATION
Janša’s Beehive with the painted beehive panels
THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS BY BIKE
AROUND THE MEADOWS ON HORSEBACK
Discover Žirovnica by bike! This vivid landscape, where the
In Žirovnica, a land of stories and friendly people, we like being
flood plain and mountain worlds interweave, is perfect for
on horseback. Literally! For those who don’t have enough
cycling. A special experience is cycling on the Cultural Heritage
experience of riding, there is a riding school available, where
Path, which connects the birth houses of important Slovenian
the excellent instructors will teach you the basic techniques of
writers and Janša’s Beehives. For more leisurely exploration
horse riding.
www.visitzirovnica.si
Opening hours Čop’s birth house in Žirovnica Tourist information point, bookings of guided tours and trips MONDAY–FRIDAY: 8–11am and 12–3pm and by prior arrangement Contact: +386 (0)4 580 15 03 Prešeren’s birth house in Vrba Tourist information point, bookings of guided tours and trips TUESDAY–FRIDAY: 9am–4pm, WEEKENDS: 10am–5pm Contact: +385 (0)4 580 20 92
there are also electric bicycles available for rent in Žirovnica. Riding in the unspoilt nature beneath Stol is a special An idyllic forest road leads to the Valvasor hut beneath Stol
experience. You can get to know the vivid surroundings
(Valvasorjev dom pod Stolom) and Potoška planina (mountain
accompanied by a guide or you can choose an independent cross
pasture). The ascent to Zabreška planina, or the more
country route. It is also possible to hire riding equipment or be
demanding tour to the Hut near the Spring of Završčica (Dom
driven in the ‘spender’ – the carriage called lojtrnik in Slovene.
pri izviru Završnice) will fill you with fresh green energy. Paths
The stamping of the horse’s hooves conjures up a feeling
with easier gradients lead you to Radovljica, Bled and Kranjska
Recommended for: families and sport enthusiasts
of freedom, and with a bit of imagination, also a nostalgic
Opening hours of other museum houses Finžgar’s birth house in Doslovče and Jalen’s birth house in Rodine By prior arrangement for groups
Gora.
Contact for booking of the picnic facilities:
experience of past times…
Tickets and guided tours
We recommend: cycling along the Završnica Valley, an
Prešeren’s, Čop’s, Finžgar’s and Jalen’s birth houses
Bled
School children Pre-school children Adults Adults (more than 10 people)
+386 (0)40 823 302
ZAVRŠNICA RECREATIONAL PARK
ascent to Zabreška planina, a cycling trip to Radovljica and
1,80 € 1,00 € 3,00 € 2,50 €/person
Recommended for: families, pairs and individual guests Contact: info@visitzirovnica.si or Zima d.o.o., riding and riding school, T: +386 (0)41 632 486
invites you to take part in entertaining and active experience
of apiculture at the Emperor’s Court in Vienna, started his
Karavanke mountain range. The park is easily accessible and
beekeeping work in Breznica. Visit the reconstruction of his
distant enough to escape for the daily life. Afford yourself a
beehives. The painted beehive panels, with their motifs of the
great deal of sport energy!
6,50 € 9,00 €
Anton Janša’s Beehive
daily life and folk traditions, are especially interesting. Did you know that this a special feature of the Slovenian Alpine world?
achievements, easy walks and other green activities invite
35,00 €
Discover the world of bees and the flowering meadows. Get
families, hikers, climbers, mountaineers and school groups
to know the basics of beekeeping on a guided tour of the
in the park. In the meantime, you may take a rest since the
Cultural Heritage Path with lojtrnik Drive by lojtrnik (up to 20 people)
beehives by tasting the delicious honey products of today’s
Završnica Recreation Park offers possibilities for picnics in the
70,00 €
local beekeepers.
open.
Contact us: The Institute for Tourism and Culture Žirovnica Žirovnica 14 4274 Žirovnica
+386 (0)4 580 15 03 info@visitzirovnica.si www.visitzirovnica.si
CRADLE OF APICULTURE AND ANTON JANŠA’S BEEHIVES
Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern apiculture and teacher
with green meadows and fragrant forests beneath the
Recreation in the nature by the artificial lake, active
Guided tour of the beehive
Recommended for: culture enthusiasts, hikers and beekeepers Bee house: freely accessible
Završnica recreational park lies in the Završnica Valley, which
Group ticket Cultural Heritage Path (visit to all four houses) School children Adults
Land of stories and friendly people
Along the Završnica Valley by bike
Freedom in the saddle around the meadows. Photo: Danila Bricelj