Mokronog: Market History, Churches and Trails

Mokronog was first mentioned as a market town as early as 1279. Strelov Tower was integrated into the town’s fortifications from the outset and served both residential and defensive purposes. In its documented form, it is one of the few surviving medieval market or town towers in Slovenia. The history of the town therefore begins not only on paper, but also with a specific surviving structure.

Geographical Setting

Mokronog lies in the Mirna Valley, in the middle of the Mokronog Basin. This basin opens towards the Mirna in the northwest and defines the town’s geographical setting.

History

Parts of the walls surrounding Mokronog Castle, part of a tower, a Renaissance bastion and sections of a Renaissance wing with arcades have been preserved on Castle Hill. Mokronog Castle was first mentioned in 1256; its original tower probably dates back to the 12th century.

In the area of Gorenji Mokronog, the archaeological sites of St. Peter, Vrajski breg and the castle are connected. They document the transition from the late antique, Romanised period to the early Slavic Middle Ages, as well as the emergence of a feudal castle.

Culture

The Žalostna gora area in Mokronog is designated as a cultural monument. Above Mokronog lies a sacred architectural complex that developed over centuries and is characterised by Passion motifs. Below the church on Žalostna gora is the Holy Stairs, dating from 1767.

Mokronog is also home to the Church of St. Giles, a monument of local importance. The present late Baroque–Neoclassical building was constructed from 1822 to 1824; the altarpiece depicting St. Giles was painted by Matevž Langus in 1823.

The Church of St. Florian is also a monument of local importance. Its early Baroque building was completed in 1655. The church contains paintings by the early Baroque painter Hans Georg Gaigerfeld, also known as Master H. G. F. Jelovšek painted the ceiling of the presbytery.

Further evidence can be found in various settings associated with local life: an extensive ethnological collection is displayed inside and in the courtyard of an inn in Mokronog. The premises of Mokronog Primary School house a collection of 32 paintings by Boris Kobe. A replica of Hema’s 15th-century shoe is also displayed in a church in Mokronog.

Trails and Routes

The “Vorančeva pot” hiking trail leads from Mokronog to Pijana gora. The one-way route is 15.6 km long, while the circular route via Škocjan is 21.2 km.

The Emina Pilgrimage Route also passes through Mokronog. It runs past the church on Žalostna gora and continues through Stari trg towards Martinja vas pri Mokronogu. In the Mokronog area, the route is marked with white-and-yellow trail markings and yellow signposts.

For cycling, the “Iz Mokronoga čez Trebelno” route starts in the market square in Mokronog.

Local Life

During the fair in the centre of Mokronog, traders set up market stalls on both sides of the regional road along a stretch of approximately 400 metres. The number of stalls ranges from 80 to 120.

Further Destinations

Further destinations: Hom, Roženpelj, Trebnje, Drečji Vrh, Dobrnič, Šentrupert, Blato.

To the higher-level travel overview: Trebnje.