Heritage Trails
Admirers of natural and cultural heritage
The natural heritage is shaped by our forests, plains, hills dotted with vineyards; rivers ( the Krka, the Kolpa River, the Krupa River springs); numerous karst caves (the best known among them being the Kostanjevica cave).
The cultural heritage is shaped by our numerous churches and castles. Over the centuries, the Church has played a significant role in the life of Dolenjska; churches have, therefore, left their mark on this landscape. The region is also full of important monasteries. Stična monastery (Slovenian Museum of Christianity), Pleterje Charterhouse (multivision) and Skansen Pleterje (an open-air museum) as well as the former Cistercian monastery in Kostanjevica na Krki, which hosts the Božidar Jakac Gallery. Admirers of the fine arts might enjoy visiting the Trebnje Gallery of Naïve artists, the Kambič Gallery in Metlika and the Jakčev dom Gallery in Novo mesto. A large segment of natural and cultural heritage has been documented on the following website: www.slovenia-heritage.net.
Dolenjska also has a priceless archeological heritage. After all, its capital, Novo mesto, is known as the town of situlae. This ornamented bronze situla, or pale, is displayed, together with other exquisite archeological specimens at the Dolenjska Museum in Novo mesto. Here, you will have chance to learn about our ancestors’ lives over the past 10,000 years, especially during the reign of the Hallstatt princes, when Dolenjska was one of the most important regions in continental Europe. Those of you who are interested in archeology should visit the Museum of Bela krajina, the church of St. Peter in Gorenji Mokronog, Cvinger (Dolenjske Toplice), the Pastoral centre in Črnomelj, the Mithraeum above Rožanec…
One of the most charming attributes of this region is the traditional countryside architecture: small wooden barns, raised granaries, pigsties, beehives and hayracks. The countryside is still pervaded by a strong sense of tradition. It is still possible to visit and admire the old wine shops and vineyard cottages on many vine-covered hillsides.
More information at:
http://www.visitdolenjska.eu/heritage-trails
