Holiday apartment in Mali Ban: Nature, Culture and Wine

Mali Ban offers an opportunity to discover nature, culture and regional wine. Unusual landscapes, historical evidence and paths through the Gorjanci Mountains come together here to create a diverse local setting.

Nature

A special natural attraction is Minutnik. This intermittent spring is rare in Slovenia and is considered the only spring of its kind in Dolenjska. Since 1992, Minutnik has been protected as a natural monument. Access is via a marked gravel path on the right near the Cerov Log quarry.

Gorjansko jezero, actually called Izero, consists of shallow ponds. They formed from water trapped on impermeable ground and represent a special habitat type. In the Gorjanci–Trdinov vrh primeval forest, pure stands of beech trees of different ages grow across just over 23 hectares.

Trails and Landscape

The Trdinova Path leads through extensive meadows in the Gorjanci Mountains, which are full of colourful flowers in spring and summer. Very rare, protected plants grow along the Gorjanci section. A signposted path leads along a cart track down to the village of Mali Ban.

A paved road climbs to Mali Ban along a slope covered with grapevines and numerous houses. During a hike, the return route led through Veliki Ban and Mali Ban.

Culture

The Pleterje Carthusian Monastery has a Gothic Church of the Holy Trinity. Visitors can view a multimedia presentation of monastic life there. The open-air museum can also be visited by prior arrangement. The monastery shop sells several types of wine produced by the Carthusian monastery.

Mali Ban itself also contains vivid evidence of rural tradition. At Mali Ban 9, there are a “Nebo” and a “hlapec” for hanging meat from the ceiling. At the same address stands an empty lime kiln, the “Apnenca”. A wine press is located in the Štrajbuz vineyard near Mali Ban 7.

The Šentjernej Educational Trail includes the Čampatov toplar, which is registered as cultural heritage. The trail also features a smart bench that serves as a charging station for electric bicycles, e-scooters and other mobile devices.

Wine and Regional Cuisine

The Grubar family manages a vineyard in Mali Ban. The family’s Cviček associated with Mali Ban is bottled and sold under the Gros brand. In addition to Cviček, the Grubar family also grows Sauvignon and Yellow Muscat. A wine shop is located at the winery at Mali Ban 6, Šentjernej.

Another special attraction is Vinoteka Otilija: Its wine cellar features an exhibition of roosters. The 115-year-old Pr' Martinov'h farm offers specialities from the bread oven, traditional dishes from Dolenjska, homemade sausages, cheese and cottage cheese.

Pr' Martinov'h farm welcomes individual guests and groups of up to 60 people by prior arrangement. Lunch or dinner can be arranged.

Further Destinations

If, in addition to Mali Ban, you would like to view other places at the same higher level, the next links lead to Vinica Pri Šmarjeti, Škocjan, Brezovica, Novo Mesto, Dolenje Kronovo, Dolenjske Toplice, Žužemberk and Srednje Grčevje.

To the higher-level travel overview: Novo Mesto.