Holiday apartment in Cerkno between Laufarija, jazz and hills

Cerkno showcases an unusual combination of vibrant tradition, music, winter sports and gentle hilly landscapes within a small area. Particularly distinctive is the Cerkljanska Laufarija: the annual event held in the main square in Cerkno features 25 figures and 26 masks carved from limewood. In addition, there is a museum with independent permanent exhibitions, an internationally oriented festival and regional dishes closely connected with the wider Idrija and Cerkno area.

Culture

The Cerkljanski muzej is located in the building of the former local court and presents two permanent exhibitions. “Cerkljanska skozi stoletja” is dedicated to the region through the centuries, while “Pust je kriv!” focuses on the Cerkljaner Laufarji. The exhibition reconstructs the clothing and props for all 25 figures of the Laufar family. The museum combines regional history with the depiction of the Cerkljaner Laufarji.

During the annual Cerkljanska Laufarija held in the main square in Cerkno, Pust is sentenced to death with a wooden lumberjack’s hammer. The Laufarija has been entered in Slovenia’s Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage since February 2012; in 2014, a decree of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia declared it intangible cultural heritage of national importance.

History

The Partizanska bolnica Franja, a Second World War hospital and memorial site, lies in the Pasice Gorge near Dolenji Novaki close to Cerkno. The official visitor website lists the site as closed until further notice, as the damage caused by the flooding on 13 July 2023 is being repaired.

Another way to explore local history is “Zgodbe cerkljanskih hiš”. The guided tour leads from house to house through Cerkno and also reaches the Brdce viewpoint. There, it provides information about the events that took place in Cerkno in 1944.

Music

Since 1996, the Jazz Cerkno festival has been held every year in mid-May at the specially covered “star plac” square in the centre of Cerkno. Its programme combines jazz with rock, electronic music, new and classical music, experimental music and various traditional forms of music.

Winter and activities

Cerkno Ski Centre has 18 kilometres of groomed pistes. These include challenging slopes for experienced skiers, pistes for relaxed skiing and a practice area for beginners. The ski school at the ski centre offers children and adults lessons in skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing.

There are also concrete opportunities for active days outside winter. Nine electric mountain bikes of the MTB SCOTT Aspect ERide 40 type are available for hire in Cerkno. E-mountain-bike tours make it easier to ride uphill and on steep and less well-surfaced paths, and are suitable for both occasional and regular cyclists.

The rounded hilltops around Cerkno attract hikers and cyclists in summer. Route No. 2 starts in the centre of Cerkno and includes a 2.5-kilometre climb with views of the surrounding hills.

Cuisine

Food is also part of the regional identity. Idrijski žlikrofi are made according to a traditional recipe in the wider Idrija and Cerkno area. Pajtičke are a form of savoury onion potica characteristic of the Cerkljansko region and are among the representative dishes of the Idrija-Cerkno gastronomic region.

Other places

For further orientation at this level: Srednja Kanomlja, Vojsko, Bukovo, Idrija, Črni Vrh, Lome, Zakriž.

For the higher-level travel overview: Idrija.