Cerknica: Karst Lake, Slivnica and Holiday Apartments

Cerknica combines Lake Cerknica with trails on Slivnica and a historic town center. When the karst lake often dries up in summer, it offers the opportunity to hike and observe this remarkable drying process. Access to the natural areas of Notranjska Regional Park is free of charge.

Nature

The Drvošec Trail runs for 3.7 km in one direction between the Rešeto sinkholes and a point approximately 500 m before the bridge in front of the village of Otok. The Otočec observation tower on the Drvošec Trail is 10 m high. The Kuharca viewing platform on the Drvošec Trail features adapted educational stations for blind and visually impaired visitors, with descriptions in Braille as well as tactile and audio features.

A guided bird-watching tour at Lake Cerknica begins at the Museum of Lake Cerknica in the village of Dolenje Jezero and continues with an ornithologist. Participants in bird watching at Lake Cerknica can borrow binoculars free of charge before the walk begins. The Jezerski hram Museum presents a living model of Lake Cerknica as well as an ethnological collection. The Museum of Lake Cerknica combines scientific explanations, folk traditions and multimedia storytelling.

Hiking and Cycling

The marked mountain trail to Slivnica begins at the bowling alley in Cerknica. The Slivnica Trail offers views of the Javorniki Hills and Lake Cerknica. Witch Cave lies below the summit of Slivnica. According to local tradition, witches brewed storms and natural disasters there.

The Carthusian Way leads through Cerknica and across the bridge to Cerknica’s anti-Ottoman Tabor. The Kosec cycling route runs along the foot of Slivnica above Martinjak and reaches Cerknica after approximately 4 km.

Culture

The historic town center of Cerknica is characterized by a square with a church that developed around former anti-Ottoman Tabor fortifications. The anti-Ottoman Tabor in Cerknica is considered one of the largest and most heavily fortified Tabor complexes in Slovenia. Jurčkov Tabor has been preserved as a defensive tower within the surviving stone walls of Cerknica’s anti-Ottoman Tabor complex. The remains of Cerknica’s anti-Ottoman Tabor complex are among the best preserved in Slovenia.

A Krpan statue stands in the center of Cerknica as a symbol of survival. The church in Cerknica is first mentioned in written sources in 1265.

Kulturni dom Cerknica offers high-quality film screenings for children and young people, which may be accompanied by discussions with a film education coordinator. It also conducts film education programs for kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools.

History and Traditions

A document dated January 28, 1630, confirms that Cerknica had a highly developed shoemaking trade. The shoemakers were organized in the Brotherhood of Saint Anne; it existed until 1922 and also became independent under guild law.

Every year during the carnival season, Pustno društvo Cerknica takes over the rule of Cerknica and transforms the town into Butale. During the traditional Pust v Cerknici carnival, large and small carnival figures and masks parade through the streets of Cerknica, or Butale.

Visitor Information

The Tourist Information Center Cerknica provides visitors with up-to-date information on accommodation, cuisine, natural and cultural heritage attractions, and activities such as fishing, cave tours, bird and bear watching, horse riding, hiking and cycling.

Other Places

Dane, Runarsko, Rakek, Kozarišče, Markovec, Iga Vas, Žerovnica, Nova Vas

To the higher-level travel overview: Cerknica.