Apartment in Grahovo: Karst Cave, Slivnica and Cultural Heritage

Grahovo showcases nature, outdoor activities and culture in clearly distinct facets. Those who take a closer look at the town will encounter natural history, hiking trails, sacred history and archaeological evidence.

Nature

Križna jama is a karst cave with underground lakes. Sinter barriers separate the lakes from one another, while crystal-clear water flows through the cave. A shorter tour lasting about one hour includes a boat ride on the first underground lake. Križna jama is also known for finds of cave bear remains. These include the world’s largest cave bear skull, which is said to have weighed 1,500 kg.

Trails

Grahovo can be explored along a nature trail. The trail includes a stop at the old ironworks. The marked trail to Slivnica begins in the center of Grahovo, initially crosses a field and then joins a forest road. Along the marked trail from Grahovo to the Church of Saint Nicholas on Slivnica, there are remains of military fortifications.

The pilgrimage of the four parishes leads to the Church of Saint Nicholas on Slivnica and includes Holy Mass at 11 a.m. The Coprnica cycling route also passes through Grahovo and turns right at the church. After this turn, it follows a steady 10 km ascent to Slivnica, the legendary Witches’ Mountain. The Coprnica cycling route is intended for experienced cyclists and leads to a viewpoint at an elevation of 1,114 meters on Mount Slivnica.

Culture and History

The Grahovo ironworks complex, including the forge and mill, was declared a cultural monument on January 30, 1997. An information board at the Grahovo ironworks presents the history of the site. Due to its spatial and environmental qualities, historical significance and architectural-historical value, the complex is of considerable heritage importance.

The registered archaeological unit of Grahovo – prehistoric hillforts (EŠD 10931) includes prehistoric hillforts on the elevations of Špiček, Zajčji vrh, Žerovinšček and Lisjak. Numerous chance surface finds of pottery, as well as numerous prehistoric and Roman metal finds from metal detector surveys, have been documented in the area of these prehistoric hillforts.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Grahovo was first mentioned in 1526. It burned down in 1943 and was rebuilt in 1993 according to plans by the architect France Kvaternik. The church contains a fresco by the academic painter Lojze Čemažar depicting the subsidiary patron saints and the patron saint of the parish.

In the immediate vicinity of Grahovo, above the town, there is a wayside shrine dedicated to Saint Florian and Saint Nicholas. This wayside shrine may indicate the site of an earlier church. The grave of the poet France Balantič is located in the Grahovo cemetery.

Other Places

Other local pages: Runarsko, Iga Vas, Rakek, Stari Trg Pri Ložu, Kozarišče, Dane, Gorenje Jezero, Markovec.

To the overview of the wider travel area: Cerknica.