Holiday apartment in Žiri – culture, nature and winter sports

In Žiri, the story ranges from the history of shoemaking and fortifications and churches to geological and prehistoric sites. There are also sports facilities in Nova vas, paths along the Sora and cuisine featuring local specialities. In Žiri, history, culture, nature, activity and local cuisine come together.

Culture and history

At the Žiri Museum, the exhibition on shoemaking covers, in two parts, the period up to the Second World War and the development of the Alpina company. The permanent exhibition “Žirovski slikarji” also presents selected works by important visual artists from Žiri. Another permanent exhibition, “Pozdravljeni, ljubitelji utrdb!”, focuses on the heritage of the Treaty of Rapallo border. The collections of the Žiri Museum can be visited on Sundays from 15:00 to 18:00 or by prior arrangement.

In the old part of Žiri lies the Stare Žiri Cultural Centre, a cultural and historical complex. It includes the permanent exhibition “Klekljane čipke, »špice« na Žirovskem”. The Čipkarska šola Žiri is another part of this cultural heritage: the school was founded in 1906 and is important for preserving the town’s cultural heritage. The nearby Church of St Anne in Ledinica is included in the Ema pilgrimage route.

Historical evidence can also be found outside the town centre. The nearby Matevžkova House consists of a double hayrack and a dwelling house with a traditional Alpine ground floor; the furnishings and open hearth kitchen have been preserved. In 1999, the house was declared a cultural monument of local importance. The Rupnik Line is a system of underground fortifications and smaller bunkers in Žirovski vrh. In the underground fortification at Goli vrh, visitors can see a permanent exhibition featuring remains from the construction period.

On the way towards Stare Žiri, by the Sora River, stands the parish church of St Martin, built in 1912, with two bell towers, a high altar, an organ and stained-glass windows. The Tomaž Kržišnik Garden is open for guided tours, public events, auctions, weddings and culinary experiences.

Nature and landscape

The nearby Lukač Geological Profile is classified as a natural feature of national importance because its limestone layers represent a typical Permian–Triassic boundary profile for the entire Dinarides. Another nearby natural attraction is a site where traces of Neanderthals, stone tools and bones of cave bears, wolves, bison, deer and Ice Age marmots have been found. The nearby Kamnita miza consists of two superimposed rocks made of dolomite and dolomitic limestone.

The nearby path to Ledinica runs along the riverbed of the Sora, serves as a popular promenade for locals and is a starting point for hikes to Mrzli vrh. Walking along the river is therefore also one of the activities described around Žiri, while the geological and prehistoric sites reveal other aspects of the landscape.

Sports and activities

The Nordic Centre Poclain Žiri in Nova vas has plastic-covered ski jumps measuring 8, 15, 26, 35 and 60 metres, which can be used year-round. In winter, the nearby Nordic Centre Žiri in Nova vas also has cross-country ski trails. The Žiri Cycling Tour is a cycle tour around Žiri that can be started at any time.

At the Pristan Sports and Recreation Centre, visitors can rent a canoe or cross the Sora River on a raft.

Local cuisine

The market in front of the cooperative centre, the Zadružni dom, takes place on the first and third Saturday of every month. There, visitors can sample or buy homemade baked goods, cheese, dairy products, Slovenian honey, natural cosmetics and local handicrafts. Žiri’s culinary specialities include a “shoemaker’s meal”, “crackling bread” and Štruklji, rolled dumplings filled with chives.

Other places

For further exploration, you can also visit the following places: Robidnica, Železniki, Poljane Nad Škofjo Loko, Fužine, Četena Ravan, Škofja Loka, Javorje, Spodnja Sorica.

To the higher-level travel overview: Škofja Loka.