Holiday apartment in Šentjernej – Culture, Wine and Nature

Šentjernej combines historic churches, vibrant municipal traditions, equestrian sports, wine and distinctive landscapes. Between festivals, educational trails and cultural sites, it reveals a place whose special features range from the parish church to the ponds of Gorjansko.

Culture and History

The parish church of St Bartholomew spans several historical periods: after the Ottoman fire of 1500, it was rebuilt; in 1641, it received its present bell tower; and in 1827, it was remodeled. Archaeological excavations at the church uncovered at least three earlier churches, including two Romanesque and one Gothic predecessor. The interior contains two side altars from the first half of the 17th century, originating from the church of the dissolved Cistercian monastery in Kostanjevica na Krki, as well as a painting of St Bartholomew by Metzinger.

The area’s historical heritage also includes the old Gothic church of Pleterje Charterhouse, dating from 1406. It is open to visitors, and features a multimedia presentation about the monks’ lives and the cultural and historical significance of the charterhouse. The Pleterje Open-Air Museum presents a traditional farmhouse from 1833 and is open every day of the year by prior arrangement.

Festivals and Equestrian Sports

Jernejevo is Šentjernej’s annual municipal festival, held in August. It is named after the municipality’s patron saint, St Jernej, whose feast day is celebrated on 24 August. Jernejevo has been celebrated in Šentjernej for almost 30 years. The Šentjernejski sejem, with more than 100 years of fair tradition, is also firmly established in the local calendar. It is regarded as an opportunity to look around, socialize and shop.

The Šentjernej Hippodrome is a central hub for equestrian sports in the Šentjernej Valley, hosting training sessions, competitions and events. At the Velike kasaške dirke at the hippodrome, 140 years of trotting-race tradition were commemorated on 17 August 2025 as part of the JERNEJEVO 2025 municipal festival.

Landscape and Recreation

Cycling is also associated with Šentjernej. The routes of the Jernejev-K Marathon ran through the entire municipality of Šentjernej as well as the neighboring municipalities of Kostanjevica na Krki, Škocjan, Šmarješke Toplice and Novo mesto. The 20th Jernejev-K Marathon offers a short route of 22 km and a long route of 44 km.

The Šentjernejska učna pot is an educational trail in Šentjernej, located in the immediate vicinity of the school and kindergarten and easily accessible to all generations. It presents characteristic plant communities and habitat types of the Šentjernejsko polje. Gorjansko jezero presents a different aspect of the landscape: its natural value lies in its impermeable substrate and includes a sinkhole near Miklavž na Gorjancih. It consists of shallow ponds formed by water retained on impermeable ground and represents a distinctive habitat type.

Wine and Local Culture

Vinoteka Otilija offers wines from four of the largest winemakers in the Šentjernej Valley; the selection includes the Dolenjska specialty wine Cviček. It features a rooster exhibition and occasional exhibitions of old musical instruments. During a visit arranged in advance, these exhibitions, along with a cellar tour, tastings of four varieties of Cviček as well as white and red wines, homemade cold cuts and a multimedia presentation can be part of the program for €15. At the Večer šentjernejskih penin, seven local winemakers presented their finest sparkling wines.

More local pages: Žužemberk, Straža, Brezovica, Dvor, Dolenjske Toplice, Šmarjeta, Dolenje Kronovo, Otočec.

For the broader travel overview: Novo Mesto.