An iconic rural element in Slovenia is the Klopotec. It is a sort of bird-scaring rattle. You find it in many traditional Slovenian wine-growing areas. They are also common in some parts of Austria (esp. Styria) and Croatia (esp. Zagorje).
Tag: Slovenia
Snežnik Castle in Kozarišče
Snežnik Castle (Grad Snežnik) was first mentioned in 1268. I was especially impressed by the complete interior furnishing of the late 19th century. So, this place gave me a good impression of the noble lifestyle in that period. [German]
St Daniel’s Church in Štanjel
St Daniel’s Church in Štanjel was built in the 15th century as the burial vault of the Counts of Cobenzl. I especially like the church for the shape of its steeple. Štanjel also offers a beautiful garden named Ferrari Garden (Ferrarijev vrt). [German]
Plečnik’s Church in Bogojina
The Church of the Ascension (Župnijska cerkev Gospodovega vnebohoda) in Bogojina was built in the 1920s according to plans by Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik. The locals call the building Plečnik’s Church or White Dove (bela golobica). [German]
Slovenian Hayrack (Kozolec)
While travelling through Slovenia, I love to look for agricultural structures called Kozolec. These are traditional hayracks which are typical for this part of Europe. They are not only utilitarian but also known for artsy adornments.
Holy Trinity Church in Hrastovlje
The Holy Trinity Church in Hrastovlje formed a fortified church in earlier times. Nevertheless, it offers an outstanding range of frescoes inside. The depictions show both biblical events and a dance macabre.
Mithras Shrine III in Ptuj
A protective building in the style of an ancient Roman sanctuary shelters the remains of the Mithras Shrine III. The shrine was erected in the sixties of the 3rd century by soldiers of the Legio XIII Gemina.
Bogenšperk Castle in Šmartno pri Litiji
Bogenšperg Castle (Grad Bogenšperg) was the home of the natural historian and polymath Johann Weichard Valvasor (1641-1693). He became famous for publishing several books about topics like the Karst or the history of Carniola. [German]
Anthony the Great in Olimje
The Baroque church of Olimje castle offers not only a fine altarpiece. In a side chapel of the church, I discovered a statue dedicated to Saint Anthony the Great. One attribute of this saint is a pig, which appears at the feet of the saint.
Lipizzaner in Lipica
At the Lipica stud farm, I watched a couple of Lipizzaners dashing around in the wild. The name of the horse breed originates from this Slovenian stud located near the border with Italy.
Roman walls in Ljubljana
The ancient Roman name of Ljubljana was Emona. Today one can still see some Roman elements in the city. E.g. this redesign of a part of the Roman town walls created by architect Jože Plečnik. The reconstruction of the walls is not really authentic but works as remarkable monument to the former presence of the Romans.
Dragon bridge in Ljubljana
This dragon was one of four I saw at the Dragon Bridge (Zmajski most) in Ljubljana. The bridge finished at the beginning of the 20th century shows some elements of the Viennese Secession. The dragons saw their production in Vienna (Factory A. M. Beschorner).