Holiday apartment in Domžale: Straw Hat History and Trails along the Kamniška Bistrica

Domžale combines industrial history with culture, trails along the water, and public venues for sports, cinema and socialising. Particularly influential is the straw hat tradition, which can be found in museums, historical traces and themed tours through the town. The Kamniška Bistrica as well as various cycling and hiking trails add to this.

Culture and History

The Slamnikarski Museum Domžale dedicates its permanent exhibition to 300 years of straw hat production in the Domžale area. On display is a selection of more than 700 objects, photographic reproductions and documents, as well as more than 100 straw hats. For registered groups, the museum also offers demonstrations of sewing straw hats and plaiting straw strips.

The Menačenkova domačija was restored after its acquisition in 2003 and converted into a museum. Its programme includes creative and craft workshops. The Menačenkova domačija is closed until October 2026; visits are also possible by prior arrangement outside opening hours.

The history of straw hat production can also be traced through the townscape. The themed tour of the straw hat factories begins at the Slamnikarski Museum Domžale and passes selected memorial markers of former straw hat workshops and factories. The former straw hat workshops and factories shaped the history of Domžale; the selected memorial markers can still be recognised in the townscape today. On Kolodvorska cesta, visitors can view the exterior of the Ravnikarjeva slamnikarska tovarna. The Polževa slamnikarska tovarna was founded in 1882 on the grounds of the Povže farm by the Oberwalder brothers, who came from Tyrol.

Individual buildings also tell stories of different eras. The Church of the Assumption of Mary in Domžale dates from 1892 and stands on the site of a fortified church from the 16th century. The Zajčevo znamenje was erected in 1935 and 1936 in gratitude for the life of the son; the architect Jože Plečnik advised on the design of its chapel and fence. The Vrečarjev portal consists of three concrete columns framing the entrance to a former carpentry workshop and exhibition space.

At the end of Slamnikarska ulica, the history of the former straw hat and hat factory Jakob Oberwalder &Comp takes centre stage. After the Second World War, it was nationalised and renamed Univerzale. Univerzale Park is located next to this former straw hat factory, also known as the Oberwalder factory. There are children's play structures there.

The Kulturni dom Franca Bernika is the town's central cultural institution. It includes a theatre hall, a town cinema, a wedding hall and a music school. In summer, the Mestni kino Domžale moves to Češminov park and shows films there.

Trails, Water and Activities

Along the Kamniška Bistrica, a cycling and walking path runs on the Green Axis from Študa in the south of Domžale to the northern foot of Homški hrib. Along the Green Axis route, there are well-equipped rest areas with drinking fountains.

The Domžalska pot spominov now has the status of a mountain hiking trail and is more than 100 kilometres long. Its first checkpoint is in Domžale, at the monument next to the footbridge over the Kamniška Bistrica. A predominantly flat cycling route is named Slamnata kitka; it starts and ends in Domžale. A 14.6-kilometre circular hiking trail is described from Športni park Domžale.

Šumberk has a viewpoint overlooking Domžale and the surrounding settlements. Športni park Domžale has four beach volleyball courts; thanks to floodlights, playing is also possible in the evening. The renovation of Kopališče Domžale is creating improved public sports and recreation areas, as well as additional space for leisure, relaxation and community gatherings.

Market Square and Local Cuisine

Domžale's market square has space for 40 stalls where vendors sell their own products. There, the named programme “Kuhni na plac” offers visitors local cuisine and new gastronomic stories.

More Destinations in the Area

For further orientation within the same broader destination, you can also find Dobeno, Radomlje, Mengeš and Trojane here.

For the broader travel overview: Domžale.