Gorenjska
- Škofja Loka. The appearance of the old town core is maily from the early 16th century. A number of Škofja Loka houses used to have facades and the town was also referred to as "Pinted" Loka. Photo: UKOM archive
The north-western part of Slovenia is Alpine and is known as Gorenjska. For centuries, it has been the most developed Slovenian region, with the longest tradition in tourism. It boasts several towns with beautiful historic centres, such as Škofja Loka, Radovljica, Kranj, Kamnik and Tržič.
Kropa and Kamna gorica were centres of iron forging, nail-making and blacksmithing, while the ironworks at Jesenice, the region’s largest, date from more recent times. The town of Jesenice is also the cradle of Slovenian ice-hockey.
- Planica. Photo: Darinka Mladenovič/STO
Gorenjska is synonymous with winter sports. Numerous ski resorts and the world-famous ski-jumping hills at Planica are all essential elements of the region’s winter image. Bled, Bohinj and Kranjska Gora have for many years been among the most popular Slovenian tourist destinations.
The town of Kranj, the industrial and business hub of Gorenjska, is the seat of many successful companies.
Photos on Flickr
Nature parks of Slovenia
For a relatively small area, Slovenia offers a unique mosaic of biological, geographical and cultural diversity, with dozens of major natural assets and items of significant European cultural heritage. Around 12,6% of Slovenia’s territory is cover by protected natural areas, 36% of the territory is protected under Natura 2000, and almost 15,000 aspects of the country’s nature have been awarded the status “valuable natural feature”.
Nature parks of Slovenia -published by Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, 2011 (in several languages)
Links
Natural heritage
Ljubljansko Barje - The largest Slovene and southernmost European wetland.
Postojna cave - One of the most attractive Karst caves
Sečovlje Salina Nature Park - National park, traditional manual gathering of salt in salt fields, plants and animals gallery
Slovene Julian Alps - Destinations, Activities, Programs, Accomodation
The Škocjan Caves Regional Park - UNESCO's world heritage site, underworld the virtual guide.
Triglavski narodni park - The Triglav National Park, the only Slovenian national park
Triglav National Park - Part of the website "Slovenia Landmarks" provides interactive map of the park
Volčji Potok Arboretum - The most visited horticultural amenity in Slovenia.
Cultural heritage
Castles in Slovenia - An overview of Slovene castles, mansions and palaces (mostly in Slovene)
Lipica - The cradle of the Lipizzaner horse
Slovenia-Europe`s sleeping beauty - Heritage Trails from Idrijca to the Kolpa
In your pocket
In Your Pocket website brings several city guides of Slovenian towns, regions, etc. The website offers its print publications for free download, in full, in PDF format.