Holiday apartment in Šentjanž – Hiking and Mining History

A specific route leads from Sevnica to Šentjanž: the local section of the Sevniška planinska pot is around 23 km long and takes six to seven hours on foot. This means that engaging with the area begins along a route that explicitly connects Šentjanž with its surroundings. Shorter routes also incorporate local history and landscapes.

Hiking and Routes

The mining-themed route Rudarska tematska pot Tk pav begins in Šentjanž at Videm. It is 5.1 km long, takes around two hours and is of medium difficulty. Črna mlaka, a pond that formed on the site of a former open-cast mine, is part of the route. Another route is the Krekova pot, which begins in front of the church in Šentjanž. It takes four to five hours and is suitable for every hiker. Its path runs along forest tracks and passes vineyards.

The Pot Milana Majcna route also has a historical reference in its name. It commemorates the heroic struggle and resistance of the locals Milan Majcen and Janči Mevželj. During the sixth hike in the footsteps of Milan Majcen, the approximately 13 km-long route began at the monument in Šentjanž. Thus, the routes appear not merely as different distances, but also as named connections to mining, forests, vineyards and local memory.

Nature and Landscape

Several mountains are located around Šentjanž: Velike Kozje, Kopitnik and Kum. Mount Golce, on the other hand, is located in the wider regional area. The mining-themed route also passes Črna mlaka, a landscape feature whose formation is connected with a former open-cast mine. Tag bau is considered a young primeval forest on the site of a former lignite open-cast mine. The former use of the site also remains clearly tangible: the Šentjanž lignite mine near Krmelj was in operation from 1834 to 1962.

Culture and History

The parish church of St. John the Baptist stands in the town centre. It is first mentioned in 1526 and is a three-nave building. There is also a memorial plaque for Janez Evangelist Krek on the parish house; he died in Šentjanž in 1917. The cultural centre houses the collection of Toman paintings from Šentjanž.

The ArtEko Šentjanž art academy is part of the present-day cultural scene. For many years, it has taken place for one week at the confluence of the Pekel and Mrzli potok streams. Artists from Slovenia, Italy and Croatia take part. A recurring event is the Šentjanška tržnica, which has been held every year since 2010 on the last Sunday in September.

Beyond the individual town, the intangible cultural heritage of Jurjevo koledovanje na Sevniškem is also alive: in Sevnica and the surrounding towns, as well as in Raka and Vrhovo. Thus, Šentjanž’s cultural connections extend into the wider area, while the church, cultural centre, memorial plaque and art academy remain directly connected with the town.

Further destination: Sevnica.

To the higher-level travel overview: Sevnica.