Dolenjska and Bela Krajina

Dolenjska and Bela Krajina

The gentle landscape of Dolenjska (former Lower Carniola) is a picture of valleys and slight mounting hills with undulating forests, and from the sunny-side slopes you can hear the joyfulness coming from the vineyards. Patches of fields intertwine with the green meadows, the bell towers of numerous churches stretch towards the blue sky, the castles guard the historical moments, and through the lonesome hayracks and quiet millstones the river of time is flowing. Just like in the shelter of the Stična Monastery, today the home of the Slovenian Museum Of Religion, where still benevolent herb mixtures are being prepared. You can explore the charming land of the "Tenth Brother" (title of novel by Josip Jurčič) by following the path of Josip Jurčič from Višnje gora to Muljava, where the traveller is shown into the Jurčič homestead, today transformed into a museum. Only a few steps away the Krka River springs. Caught in the embrace of the Krka River, you will find Kostanjevica na Krki, one of the oldest Slovenian towns. The castle also includes the Gallery of Božidar Jakac, the monastic gardens, whereas the surroundings of Kostanjevica are embellished by art works from the international symposium of sculptors called Forma viva. Near the spring of Studena, the beauty of the Kostanjevica Cave is revealed. In the cave there is a colony of bats (Rhinolophus) that are unique in Slovenia.

This beautiful river of Dolenjska flows over numerous dams and rapids, its green colour mixing with the nature around it. First it runs in to the karst plateau Suho krajina, says hello to Žužemberk and drops down to Soteske passing Dvor. The memory of a former castle park is preserved by the Devil's Tower Hudičev turn. Where the valley of Krka widens, there the oldest thermal health resort of Dolenjska - Dolenjske Toplice with a modern Wellness Centre can be found, and in the safe shelter of the Rog woods you will find Base 20 , a historical monument from World War II. Novo mesto, the picturesque capitol town of Dolenjska lying under the seven hills, is a true treasury of history and culture.

To seek for it, you can visit the Dolenjska Museum or the Franciscan Monastery. After it embraces the city, the River Krka flows further on to Otočec. There a modern Sports and Recreational Centre offers a wide selection of sports activities, among other things also a tennis and riding school, numerous pathways and a golf course . In the nearby health resort Šmarješke Toplice there is a centre for Nordic walking. Šentjernej is well known for the red wine sort Cviček and singing; also its traditional fairs, horse and cock races are visited by more people each year. In the shelter of Gorjanci there is the Carthusian Monestery Pleterje, whereas the architecture and the life on the Šentjernej fields can be seen in the live Open - air Museum next to the monastery.

Škocjan in the valley of Radulja is an old cultural centre and also the birthplace of the missionary Knoblehar. At Christmas time the Škocjan Bethlehem flares up in thousands of lights, and you can feel the nature's pulse in the ethnological park Zagrad or on one of the pathways round Bučka. Žalostna gora (the Sad Mountain) near Mokronog is not just another pilgrim church, but includes a whole line of buildings, as well as the remarkable holy stairs with rich paintings and votive images. The mighty Gothic church in Šentrupert, the Castle Škrljevo – the estate of the princess Ema Krška, the pilgrim mountain Vesela gora and the Castle Mirna provide characteristic scenery of the most beautiful of views in the Mirnska Valley. A unique embellishment to the places in this valley are stone bridges, hayracks and a line of vineyard cottages in the surrounding hills. In the embrace of the Temenica and Mirna rivers the town Trebnje welcomes you, a town on the 15th meridian. The Temenica River comes to light in a picturesque spring Zijalo, following us to Mirna Peč, where it again disappears into the underworld of the Dolenjska Karst. These and many other interesting sights are revealed on the heritage paths of Dolenjska and Bela krajina.

Črnomelj is the largest settlement in Bela krajina. Its old city center stands by a pier next to the Lahinja and Dobličica rivers. Throughout history, it had its good and its bad times, becoming one of the major shapers of the Slovenian nation. With a population of 6000, the city of Črnomelj has developed into the industrial, commercial, transportation and cultural center of Bela krajina with plenty of opportunities for tourism. Two nature parks can be found in the municipality, protecting the natural and cultural heritage as well as the rich traditions of the area.

The Semič municipality stretches between the Gorjanci hills and the edge of the Kočevski rog plateau. Above it rises Semiška gora, covered by vineyards and dotted by houses and cottages. Smuk above Semič is a popular gathering place for paragliders, and several hiking trails are available for hikers. Some also lead to Mirna gora, the highest peak of Bela krajina. The karstic educational nature trail from Lebica to Krupa invites you to explore the Semič area and discover its wonders. The most important event in the municipality is the traditional Semič wedding, which promotes the cultural heritage and the customs of the area.

The border town of Metlika has a turbulent and rich history marked by Turkish incursions, the first reading room as well as the first loan and savings bank in the Dolenjska and Bela krajina region.One of the most beautiful sights in Bela  Krajina are the vineyards stretching over the sunny southern slopes of the Gorjanci. The Metlika wine cellar produces the best high-quality wines, which are presented every year at the Vinska vigred festival.The lively, yet gentle rapids of the Kolpa river are sure to charm all sports and nature lovers, and inviting hiking trails lead through the region.

Dolenjska and Bela Krajina tourism: