Category Archives: Beekeeping in Slovenia

A One-Stop Buzzing(!) Centre in Lesce

Posted in Adele in Slovenia, Beekeeping Education Centre of Gorenjska, Beekeeping in Slovenia, ifeelsLOVEnia, Museum of Apiculture Radovljica, Radol'ca, Radovljica, Slovenia blog, Visit Radol'ca, Čebelarski center Lesce by

I don’t know about you but I find February a rather depressing month.

One the one hand, the days are getting longer and spring flowers have already begun to spring, but on the other, it’s still winter, and I tend to find myself asking where my mojo has gone and how to find it again.

So, this February I decided it was about time I did something positive in terms of seeking my mojo and thus devised a three-pronged strategy:

  1. I needed a massage.
  2. I needed some ‘me time’.
  3. I needed to do the above with as little effort as possible!

So, when pondering where to go and what to do, I remembered that on a recent visit to the Gorenjska Beekeeping Education Centre in Lesce, I noticed that, in addition to all the beekeeping-related activities there, massages are also available.

So, an idea sprang to mind for a few hours of ‘me’ time, which would only involve a ten-minute walk from home, i.e. little, or no, effort on my part.

The plan was to starting with a massage, then have a relaxing drink in the onsite BeeJoy caffee (sic), followed by a bit of retail therapy(!) in the Babka beekeeping shop. That should do the trick!

The Centre is a ‘hive’ of activity, for both beekeepers and other visitors.

I headed straight downstairs for a massage, which I had been soooo looking forward to, and wasn’t disappointed. Denis adopts a holistic approach, whereby he doesn’t just try to solve the problem of various aches and pains (of which I have many!), but also find their source.

After a massage, I headed upstairs towards the cafe. On the stairwell there is a wood carving of St. Ambrose, the patron saint of bees, beekeepers and candlemakers. The carving was done by Radovljica’s mayor, Ciril Globočnik.

In summer, customers can sit outside and watch the busy bees coming and going from the traditional Slovenian apiary in the garden of the Beekeeping Centre.

Obviously, with it being winter, I didn’t sit outside and preferred instead to admire the view from afar!

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Relaxed and quenched, I ended my visit to the Centre with a visit to the Babka beekeeping shop, where beekeepers and the public alike can find everything they could possibly need, from a myriad of types and flavours of honey, which you can try before you buy…

… to beekeeping equipment, clothing, books and more.

From May to September, guided tours of the Centre are available, which include honey tasting.

For more information, and to discover all the other ‘buzzing’ activities in Radovljica, including the Museum of Apiculture, and the ‘Follow a Bee Through Radovljica’ family beekeeping adventure, contact the Radovljica Tourist Information Centre.

Here’s hoping that by next month, when I write my next blog, spring will be well and truly here. Until then…

© Adele in Slovenia

 

Create and Meet in Radol’ca

Posted in Adele in Slovenia, Beekeeping in Slovenia, gluten-free food in Slovenia, ifeelsLOVEnia, Museum of Apiculture Radovljica, Radol'ca, Radovljica, Slovenia blog, Slovenian chocolate, Tourism Radol'ca, Visit Radol'ca by

It’s been 17 years now since I moved from the UK to Slovenia, and soon after moving here I quickly realised that the key to life and work in Radol’ca (the brand name for the main town of Radovljica and all the surrounding towns and villages) is collaboration among locals.

It is such collaboration that has resulted in a new range of experiences in and around the municipality, which offer visitors (both domestic and foreign) the chance to enjoy unique insights into the area’s traditions, cuisine and life – past and present.

Earlier today I was fortunate to attend an event in the magnificent Radovljica Manor, at which we had a chance to find out more about the new experiences that can be arranged for groups (ranging from a minimum of 4 up to groups of 20+) and meet those involved in offering various workshops and other activities, such as:

Herbal workshops organised by the Radovljica Pharmacy and Alchemy Museum.

Painting workshops with the academic painter and Radovljica resident Meta Šolar.

Chocolate tastings and workshops at the Radolška čokolada chocolatier.

Cookery workshops at Hiša Linhart in Linhart Square…

…with food cooked by the Michelin-starred chef Uroš Štefelin and his team of chefs.

Thanks, Uroš, for making something gluten-free, so I could try it too!

Tasting of Slovenian Wines at the Sodček wine bar, located at the entrance to the old town centre.

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A Town of Chocolate, run by the Radovljica Tourist Board, in cooperation with the Radolška cokolada chocolatier.

Painting beehive frontal panels or making nesting boxes for bees at the Museum of Apiculture.

Decorate a Lectar honeybread heart at Gostilna Lectar.

These are just some of the ways you can experience the ‘real’ Radol’ca. More information about the above and more can be found here.

© Adele in Slovenia

 

 

 

 

 

Slovenian Culture – Radol’ca-style!

Posted in Adele in Slovenia, Beekeeping in Slovenia, Begunje, France Prešeren, ifeelsLOVEnia, Museum of Apiculture Radovljica, museums in Slovenia, Prešernova hiša, Radol'ca, Radovljica, Slovenia blog, Slovenian culture, Tourism Radol'ca, Visit Radol'ca, Visit Žirovnica, Vrba, Žirovnica by

Slovenia takes its culture seriously, and this is most visible every year on 8th February when the country celebrates Prešeren Day – a national cultural holiday – dedicated to its most treasured poet, France Prešeren.

Various events take place throughout the country, the largest of which are in Kranj and Vrba. The former is nowadays known as Prešeren’s Town, while the latter was his birthplace.

In Vrba, which is in close proximity to Radovljica, every year on 8th February people flock from around the country to take part in a 10-kilometre walk along the Žirovnica Cultural Heritage Trail. The trail begins at Prešeren’s birth house …

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…then continues via fields and country paths to the birth houses of Žirovnica’s other famous men as well as Anton Janša’s apiary.

The Prešernov smenj fair in Kranj also attracts huge crowds. The event is dedicated to all-things from Prešeren’s time; music, dance, clothing, food …

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Throughout the country all museums offer free admission on 8th February to enable everyone to be part of Prešeren Day.

The Radol’ca area has more than its fair share of museums; 12 to be precise (excluding galleries):

Museum of Apiculture, Radovljica

Municipal Museum, Radovljica

Pharmacy and Alchemy Museum, Radovljica

Lectar Workshop and Museum, Radovljica

Iron Forging Museum, Kropa

Fovsaritnica Museum House, Kropa

Sextons’ Museum House, Kamna Gorica

Museum of Hostages, Begunje na Gorenjskem

Elan Alpine Ski Museum, Begunje na Gorenjskem

Avsenik Museum, Begunje na Gorenjskem

Ethnological Museum, Mošnje

Nativity Museum, Brezje

While deciding what to do this year on 8th February, I realised that I had been to all the above museums, except one – the Municipal Museum. So, it was time to tick that one off the list too!

The museum is dedicated to Radovljica’s most well known (former) resident – Anton Tomaž Linhart: The 18th century was a time of great change in Europe. One of the central characters in the then Carniola was Anton Tomaž Linhart from Radovljica, the father of Slovenian theatre and scientific historiography.

The museum is located on the first floor of the magnificent Radovljica Manor.

If I’m honest, it had probably never occurred to me to visit the museum as I thought that since it’s all dedicated to one person, there is only so much you can hear and see about that person. But, I stand corrected! Though the content is indeed dedicated to Anton Tomaž Linhart, it is also an opportunity to find out about life, clothing and customs in the eighteenth century.

And to have a bit of fun dressing up too!

Upon prior arrangement, guided tours are available in Slovene, German and English.

Our national day of culture may be over for this year, but there are hundreds of (other) museums throughout Slovenia to explore throughout the year.

© Adele in Slovenia

 

 

Slovenian Beekeeping Placed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Posted in Adele in Slovenia, Beekeeping in Slovenia, ifeelsLOVEnia, Museum of Apiculture Radovljica, Radol'ca, Radovljica, Slovenia blog, Slovenian honey, Visit Radol'ca by

First, the bad news… It has been wet and unseasonably cold for pretty much the whole of May so far, which is bad, or even catastrophic, news for Slovenia’s bees and beekeepers. The latter are keeping their fingers (and toes) crossed that conditions improve soon in order to salvage what they can from the grazing season.

Now, the good news. Slovenia’s application to be placed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage has been accepted, a process in which the Museum of Apiculture in Radovljica played a large part, together with the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association and the Slovenian Ethnographic Museum. To mark World Earth Day, on 22nd April, Radovljica played host to a special event to mark Slovenia’s entry onto the aforementioned UNESCO List. Among those in the photo below are the mayor of Radovljica, the president of the Slovenian Beekeeping Association, the director of Radovljica Municipal Museums, Slovenia’s Minister for Culture, the president of the Radovljica Beekeeping Society, and, of course, our many beekeepers!

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The following quote by Dr. Asta Vrečko, Slovenia’s Minister of Culture, sums up the significance of this achievement for Slovenian culture: “The inscription of beekeeping on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage is of exceptional significance for Slovenia and the world. At the time of climate change, bees and beekeeping must receive special attention, and traditional beekeeping, which is a way of life in harmony with nature, must be nurtured in particular. The beekeeping heritage has a long history that is intertwined with culture and amateur art. Today, urban apiaries also present an important segment of beekeeping.”

Beekeeping in Slovenia on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage | GOV.SI

Here’s some fascinating Slovenian bee facts and figures I came across while reading the Sunday paper, which, by the way, is published on a Wednesday!

  • There are over 11,000 beekeepers in Slovenia
  • Slovenian beekeepers have over 200,000 bee families
  • There are 30 registered breeders of queen bees in Slovenia, who breed around 40,000 queens per year
  • There are 206 beekeeping societies in Slovenia

There are numerous ways you can get acquainted with Slovenia’s bees and beekeepers in the Radovljica area.

Undoubtedly, Erik Luznar is Radovljica’s star beekeeper, in more ways than one! Not only is he one of the few beekeepers here who does it for a living, but he is also now a star in India too, thanks to one of the country’s most popular vloggers, Dhruv Rathee, who visited Erik and his bees to find out more. Over 2 million people have watched it!

In addition to the aforementioned Museum of Apiculture, which is a ‘must see’ when visiting Radovljica…

… the area is also home to the Beekeeping Education Centre of Gorenjska in Lesce, where you can get up close to a traditional Slovenian apiary, and sit back and enjoy watching the bees going about their business while enjoying a hot or cold drink.

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This month, the Radovljica Beekeeping Society celebrated its 140th anniversary at the Centre.

And finally, don’t miss the family ‘Follow a Bee Through Radovljica‘ adventure, which is ideal for the entire family.

I hoped I’ve provided you with more than enough reasons, and inspiration, to make sure you do something bee-related on your visit to Slovenia, after all: No Bees, No Life!

© Adele in Slovenia

 

 

 

A New Old Walk in the Lipnica Valley

Posted in Adele in Slovenia, Beekeeping in Slovenia, hiking trails, ifeelsLOVEnia, ironworking, kamna gorica, Kropa, Lipnica Valley, Museum of Apiculture Radovljica, Radol'ca, Radovljica, Slovenia, Slovenia blog, Tourism Radol'ca, Visit Radol'ca by

Until recently, Peter’s Trail in Kamna Gorica was only known to locals and had been somewhat retaken by nature. However, this short trail in the Lipnica valley has been reestablished, together with added footbridges, wooden railings and information boards (in English only).

The trail is a tribute to Peter Novak (1846-1910), a former Latin language lecturer at the University of Vienna, who was born in Kamna Gorica. Following his retirement, Peter returned to his native village, where he built and repaired many old paths in the vicinity of his birth village.

The trail begins at the Gostilna Mlin restaurant in Kamna Gorica, which at the time of writing is closed, where there is a small parking area in front of the sign for the restaurant, as seen below.

Gostilna Mlin, Julijske Alpe - Sloveniaholidays.com

The first sign marking the trail is a little further ahead, so initially walk for around 150 metres across the grass away from the restaurant, ensuring the small brook is on your right, until you reach the first sign.

From here the path is obvious as it winds its way through the forest alongside the Lipnica river.

After a short while you reach a wooden hut, as seen below…

…before reentering the forest to rejoin the trail. After a short distance you once again leave the forest and come to a bridge over the Lipnica river.

Don’t cross the bridge but instead go up to your left where you will see a beautiful, typical Slovenian apiary.

At the time of my visit in early March, the bees were already really active for the time of year. Btw, if you’d like to find out more about Slovenian beekeeping and see an exhibit of some of the oldest known apiary painted frontal boards, be sure to visit the Museum of Apiculture in Radovljica.

Follow the path that leads up to the right behind the apiary, which then emerges onto a road. Here you could just follow the road down to the crossroads and return to Kamna Gorica on the pavement, or see below for a slightly longer walk.

Turn left and walk a few minutes uphill on the road until you reach a clearing where you can see a small cluster of houses that make up the hamlet of Zgornja Dobrava.

Facing the above sign you will see a path behind you to the right. Follow this path, cross the road and then rejoin the trail leading downhill, adjacent to the road.

The path emerges from the forest into the playground of the Lipnica primary school, where you should immediately turn right and follow the trail, this time with the forest on your right.

You pass a house, and, if you’re lucky as we were, a very contented cat!

You will now reach the bridge you saw, but didn’t cross, earlier and can choose to either return on Peter’s Trail or turn left to reach the pavement, which you follow back to the village past a large pond.

Take time to explore the village of Kamna Gorica itself, where you can walk up to St. Trinity’s church for a lovely view over the village, visit the Sextons’ Museum House and admire the waterways that have earnt the village the name ‘Mini Venice’.

If you’d like a longer walk, it’s easy to extend the route by visiting one, or more, of the surrounding villages, notably Kropa, with its wealth of iron forging heritage.

Now is the perfect time for such a walk, as nature is emerging from its winter slumber and colour is returning to the valley.

Finally, the Radovljica Chocolate Festival is fast approaching, so make a note of the date for what will be the 10th anniversary of the ever-popular festival of chocolate and fun.

© Adele in Slovenia

Living Together. About Bees and Mankind

Posted in Adele in Slovenia, Beekeeping in Slovenia, ifeelsLOVEnia, Museum of Apiculture Radovljica, Radol'ca, Radovljica, Rainy day ideas in Slovenia, Slovenia blog, Slovenian honey, Tourism Radol'ca, Visit Radol'ca by

These days I mostly make my living from translating – from Slovenian into English – which, like every job, has its ups and downs. The pluses, among others, are that I’m my own boss, I work from home and can set my own working hours (to some extent), while the minuses, among others, is that often clients have very short (and unrealistic!) deadlines! And that, too, was the case when I began to work on the translation of a new book on beekeeping, however, in this case it transpired that the interesting content and efforts of all those involved made it all worthwhile.

And so, the book titled ‘Living Together. About Bees and Mankind‘ has now been published, and herewith a brief story of its creation, the author behind it, and its importance.

Petra Bole, the director of Radovljica Municipal Museums, which include the Museum of Apiculture, is the brains behind the book, which was published to coincide with the newly renovated museum and as a protocol gift on the occasion of Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2021.

The 300 page book contains stunning photos and covers beekeeping-related topics such as art, bees and the past, bees and mankind, and nature.

On the occasion of its publication, Petra invited us – the team behind the book (from left to right: Barbara Bogataj – designer; me(!) – translator; Ivan Esenko – photographer; Petra Bole – author; Mihaela Pichler Radanov – editor) to a little gathering in the garden of the Šivec House Gallery to celebrate.

It is, of course, fitting that such a book has been written here in Radovljica – home to the Museum of Apiculture with its brand new exhibition, the Beekeeping Education Centre of Gorenjska, and numerous beekeepers and their colourful apiaries, and the Follow a ‘Bee’ Through Radovljica Family Adventure – and by a local resident, who, since becoming director of Radovljica Municipal Museums, has also taken up beekeeping herself!

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The Museum of Apiculture is housed in the magnificent Radovljica Manor in the old town centre of Radovljica.

Find out more about beekeeping in the Radovljica area here, and, if you are planning a visit to the Radovljica area this autumn, be(e) sure to do, or see, something bee-related, and in doing so play your part in recognising the importance of, and helping to preserve, our precious bees!

© Adele in Slovenia

A Celebration of World Bee Day (and my birthday!) at the Renovated Museum of Apiculture, Radovljica

Posted in Adele in Slovenia, Beekeeping in Slovenia, ifeelsLOVEnia, Museum of Apiculture Radovljica, Radol'ca, Radovljica, Slovenia blog, Slovenian honey, Tourism Radol'ca, Visit Radol'ca by

After a renovation that began in autumn 2020, the Museum of Apiculture is due to officially re-open tomorrow – Saturday 22nd May. I went for a sneak preview of the new exhibition yesterday on World Bee Day, which just also happens to be my birthday! So, what better way to celebrate (especially since we are still fairly restricted in terms of what we can do and where we can go) than by going to see the new exhibition.

It would be fairly impossible to live in Radovljica and not acquire an interest in, and affection for, bees. Not only is it home to the Museum of Apiculture, but it is also home to the ‘Follow a bee through Radovljica‘ family beekeeping adventure through the town, an annual honey festival, the Beekeeping Education Centre of Gorenjska, and the landscape is dotted with numerous brightly-coloured painted apiaries.

Lately, I’ve also learnt even more about bees, since I translated all the material for the new exhibition at the Museum of Apiculture, so visiting and being able to see the final result was even more satisfying.

Even if you’ve never paid that much attention to bees, I recommend a visit to the museum; you will be amazed by some of the facts and figures attesting to the importance of bees in our daily lives, and you can get ‘up close and personal’ with a bee family in the observation hive, which is a real highlight.

I won’t give too much away, since you simply must visit for yourself, but here are just a few of the fascinating facts about bees and an insight into the newly renovated museum, which is housed in the beautiful Radovljica Manor in the old town centre of Radovljica.

Did you know, for example, that the Slovenian indigenous bee is the Carniolan honey bee (Apis mellifera carnica) and it is the second most widespread honey bee in the world. The Carniolan bee is protected by Slovenian law and it is the only species allowed in the country. It is known for its exceptional calmness and tameness, while at the same time it provides good yields from pastures and is disease-resistant.

The new exhibition features numerous interactive points and video content, and there’s plenty to keep kids amused too – whether young or old!

Slovenia is known for its beehives, the frontal panels of which are painted with various colourful motifs, folk art telling old myths and stories. Slovenia is thought to be the only country in the world that follows this age-old practice. You can learn more about this and see an exhibition of various painted panels, including the oldest known of its kind in the world.

You can also learn about where in the world the Carniolan bee is present, all thanks to Slovenia’s great and prolific beekeepers!

Click here to find out more about this museum, as well as the other museums and galleries in Radovljica’s old towns and the surroundings of Radovljica.

© Adele in Slovenia

Radol’ca Re-opens!

Posted in Adele in Slovenia, Beekeeping, Beekeeping in Slovenia, Bled, Bohinj lake, Camping in Slovenia, COVID-19 Slovenia, cycling, cycling in Slovenia, Festivals in Slovenia, hiking in Slovenia, ifeelsLOVEnia, Jelovica, Karavanke mountains, Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, museums in Slovenia, Okusi Radol'ce, Postojna cave, Radol'ca, Radovljica, Radovljica Chocolate Festival, Slovenia, Slovenia blog, Slovenian mountain huts, Sobec camp, Taste Radol'ca, The Julian Alps, Tourism Radol'ca, Triglav National Park, Visit Radol'ca by

Hooray, I am finally the bearer of some good news…it feels like a while since I’ve been able to say that!

Writing this feels a bit like groundhog day, as it was around this time last year that Slovenia began to exit its first lockdown and I published a similar blog on the subject. And here we are today, almost a year later and only now Radovljica, as well as the rest of Slovenia, is slowly beginning to re-open after three, seemingly endless, lockdowns.

Unfortunately, the vaccination programme is still going slowly – to date around one-fifth of the country’s 2 million residents has received at least one shot of a vaccine – but, notwithstanding, things are steadily moving in the right direction and finally, after 6 long months, the terraces of restaurants/bars etc. were able to re-open last week and as of yesterday (Monday 26 April) hotels and other accommodation facilities are able to open up to 30 rooms (regardless of the size of the property). Note, however, that a negative test or proof of vaccination is required to stay in an type of accommodation (camps included).

So, now you, well we if I include myself, can actually begin to start thinking about planning holidays, something that has seemed unthinkable for a long time now. And since most of us will no doubt – sensibly – prefer to avoid places overrun by mass tourism, it is destinations such as Radol’ca that come into their own with its boutique accommodation and numerous hiking trails and other off the beaten track attractions. So, here are a few ideas to help you in planning your visit to Radovljica – whether for a few hours, a few days, or even longer!

The Radovljica Tourist Information Centre has now, too, reopened, and is ready and waiting to help, whether you make contact by mail, by phone or drop in in person. The tourist office is at the entrance to the old town centre, which is the obvious place to start your visit to the area. Visit one of the museums or galleries in Linhart Square, admire the frescoes on the facades of townhouses, ‘Follow a bee through Radovljica‘, visit the Lectar honeybread workshop, see the baroque St. Peter’s church, and soak up the views of the Jelovica plateau and the Julian Alps from the viewpoint.

After taking in the sights of the old town, you can head off to explore the surrounding countryside. Take your pick from theme trails, hiking trails, the network of cycle routes, water sports, equestrian pursuits, mini-golf and more.

After record snowfall in some places, it’s still very much winter in Slovenia’s high mountains, fortunately here in Radol’ca there are plenty of hiking trails at lower altitudes. I’ve written about such trails on numerous occasions, so a quick search back through previous blog posts using key words will turn up plenty of info on hikes to, for example, Suharna, the Vodiška planina mountain hut, the Roblekov dom mountain hut, St. Peter’s church above Begunje na Gorenjskem, and more.

Of course, after all that fresh air and activity you will be in need of some sustenance, and you certainly won’t go hungry at Taste Radol’ca restaurants, the ethos of which is using seasonal, locally sourced, ingredients. At the time of writing, some of the restaurants have yet to re-open, since they are currently only allowed to serve customers outside on the terrace and for those with smaller terraces it is not worth their while re-opening. However, it is to be hoped that it won’t be too long until they are able to fully re-open. Radol’ca even has a Michelin-starred restaurant – Vila Podvin – as well as several other fine dining restaurants and numerous rural inns.

In terms of accommodation, there’s plenty to choose, from river-side camps to apartments, guest houses and other boutique accommodation.

In terms of events, it’s still a bit early to say what will and won’t take place this year. The Radovljica Chocolate Festival, which was cancelled last year and postponed this year, is provisionally scheduled to take place on 11th and 12th September this year, while the organisers are hoping that others events, such as the Craft Beer Festival and live music and food on Thursdays evenings in the square, will be able to go ahead in summer, in some form or another. But at the moment it’s a case of watch this space to see how things pan out.

Of course, all the above-mentioned are in the Radol’ca area itself, meaning there’s still a whole host of other places waiting to be explored in the surrounding areas; the Julian Alps and Triglav National Park are on the doorstep, Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj are close, Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana is just a cca. 40 minute drive, and even places such as the Postojna caves, the Soča valley, and Slovenia’s coast are all within a 1-2 hour drive – nothing is that far away in Slovenia!

So, I hope I have provided you with some food for thought and ideas to help your holiday planning and, as and when there is (even) more news about more things opening up, I’ll be in touch with more up-to-date info, or, in the meantime, do feel free to drop me a line if you need more info. Always happy to help, well, within reason that is!

© Adele in Slovenia

Ten Top Insider Radol’ca Tips!

Posted in Adele in Slovenia, Beekeeping, Beekeeping in Slovenia, Begunje, hiking in Slovenia, hiking trails, ifeelsLOVEnia, Jelovica, Karavanke mountains, museums in Slovenia, Okusi Radol'ce, Radol'ca, Radovljica, Radovljica Chocolate Festival, Slovenia blog, Slovenian culture, Slovenian food, Slovenian honey, Taste Radol'ca, The Julian Alps, Visit Radol'ca by

Since I think I have a right these days to call myself a ‘Radolčanka’ (i.e. a Radovljica local), I thought I would share with you some of my top insider tips, some of which are more obvious than others!

So, in no particular order…

YOU WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY OR THIRSTY IN RADOVLJICA…at the last count – in my head that is so I could have forgotten the odd one – I totted up 23 bars, cafes and restaurants in Radovljica itself – not to mention the numerous others within the municipality. So, there’s no need to worry about going hungry or thirsty whilst visiting! And now there’s an exciting new ‘kid’ in town too – Linhart Hotel & Bistro – in Linhart Square, the heart of the old town. The hotel opened a couple of years ago but has just been taken over by the hugely successful and popular restaurant Vila Podvin, with head chef (and celebrity chef these days!) Uroš Štefelin at the helm. Expect bistro-style food – Uroš style!

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THERE’S A VISIBLE TUNNEL... Okay, so it’s not an insider tip as such, but I’ve included it here since it’s easy to miss. The only preserved moat tunnel in Slovenia is found beneath Radovljica’s old town centre. It was renovated, and partly built-over, some years back, and is well-illuminated, meaning you can walk through it at any time as part of a visit to the old town centre. I’m rather lucky as I live just minutes from the old town and can therefore see it by day and by night, though the latter trumps it for me!

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AND AN INVISIBLE/HIDDEN TUNNEL TOO…well, that is if legend is true! It is said that there is a tunnel that runs underground from the well in Linhart Square all the way to Lipnica Castle. To date no one has actually found it, but the legend lives on…!

AND EVEN A ‘SECRET’ CHAPEL…the Edith Stein Chapel is hidden away behind the vestry tower of Radovljica’s baroque St. Peter’s church in Linhart Square, and surprisingly few people even know it’s there. Edith Stein was a German-Jewish philosopher, born on 12 October 1891 to Jewish parents, who converted to Catholicism and became a Carmelite nun.

Also know as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, she was canonised as a martyr and saint of the Catholic Church, and is one of six co-patron saints of Europe. Edith and her sister Rosa, who was also a convert and an extern sister, were sent to the Carmelite monastery in Echt in the Netherlands in 1938 for their safety, where, despite the Nazi invasion in 1940, they remained until they were arrested by the Nazis on 2 August 1942 and sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where they died in the gas chamber on 9 August 1942.

WE HAVE RATHER LOVELY CEMETRIES…bear with me on this one! I know it might sound odd but it’s true, Radovljica’s (and in fact in general throughout the country) two cemetries are so well kept. There is always an abundance of fresh flowers, plants and glowing candles, and a sense of peace prevails. You can admire both the cemetries as you pass on a walk towards the Sava river and the Fux footbridge.

RADOVLJICA REALLY IS A ‘SWEET’ TOWN…in so many ways! Not only is the town’s slogan ‘Honestly Sweet‘ but Radovljica is also the home of the biggest and best chocolate festival in Slovenia and a honey festival too. This year’s Radovljica Chocolate Festival – the 9th in a row – takes place from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th April.

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Photo: http://www.radolca.si

WE LIKE TO STICK TOGETHER…Taste Radol’ca is a great example of this. Rather than being in competition with each other, many of Radol’ca’s restaurants have joined forces and, in doing so, have realised and reaped the benefits of cooperation and collaboration. In doing so they are also supporting local farmers, beekeepers and producers of other goods, by including locally sourced ingredients on their menus. Each year there are an increasing number of events at which Taste Radol’ca restaurants are present, such as the Radovljica Chocolate Festival, summer Thursday concert evenings, the November Month of Local Cuisine, various Christmas and New Year events, and more.

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Photo: http://www.radolca.si

WE LOVE OUR BEES…the Museum of Apiculture, the Beekeeping Education Centre of Gorenjska, the ‘Follow a Bee Through Radovljica‘ family adventure, an annual Honey Festival, and numerous beautifully painted apiaries where hardworking bees, and equally hardworking beekeepers, ensure that we have a plentiful supply of local honey.

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Photo: http://www.radolca.si

IT LOOKS GREAT FROM ABOVE OR BELOW…Wherever you view Radovljica from – whether up high in the mountains or down beneaths its terraces – Radovljica’s old town centre with its prominent church is picture postcard stuff! So, whether you choose a stroll beside the Sava river on the Sava River Trail, or one of the marked hiking trails, such as to St. Peter’s church above Begunje, or even higher to the Roblek mountain hut or the peak of Begunščica, you are assured of a great view and a totally different perspective of the beauty of Radovljica and its surroundings.

Photo: http://www.radolca.si

SEEK OUT BUNKERS FROM THE RUPNIK LINE…the Rupnik Line is a system of fortifications that were built during the 1930’s by the Kingdom of Yugoslavia as a defence line on the border with the Kingdom of Italy. The strategically placed forts and bunkers were never actually used for military or defence purposes, but they at least brought residents a temporary solution to the unemployment and financial troubles which affected them due to the location of the Rapallo Border. In Radovljica there are bunkers on the Obla gorica hill, which is located behind the swimming pool, as well as on the grassy bank in the street Cankarjeva ulicacop. I recently read that, in fact, there are around 50 such bunkers located across the Jelovica plateau, Radovljica and Begunje na Gorenjskem, though, to date at least, I’ve only come across a handful. Hmm, an idea is brewing, how many (more) can I/you find?!

I hope this has given you plenty of ideas for exploring (more of) Radovljica and you’ll agree that’s there’s certainly more than meets the eye!

© Adele in Slovenia

 

The Magnificent Radovljica Manor – (even) More Than Meets the Eye!

Posted in Adele in Slovenia, Beekeeping in Slovenia, ifeelsLOVEnia, museums in Slovenia, Radol'ca, Radovljica, Radovljica Chocolate Festival, Slovenia blog, Tourism Radol'ca, Visit Radol'ca by

The magnificent and imposing Radovljica Manor dominates Linhart Square – the heart of Radovljica’s historic old town.

The building houses numerous attractions and institutions, among them the Radovljica Music School, the Museum of Apiculture, the Municipal Museum, two small gallery areas, and the wonderful Baroque Hall.

Photo: Tourism Radol’ca

The Orthenburgs built a small castle in the 13th century on the site on today’s manor. The structure was rebuilt following an earthquake in 1511 by the building’s then-tenant Count Dietrichstein, and in the following century it was further expanded by the Counts of Thurn-Valsassina.

Immediately on entering the manor through the impressive, not to mention heavy, door you spot the beautiful grand central staircase, made out of green tuff, which hints at the grandeur of the building.

Before reaching the staircase you will notice a photographic exhibition on the right-side of the entrance hall. The exhibition changes every month so it’s always worth popping in for a look when passing!

Much of the space on the ground floor is today given over to the Radovljica Music School. But if you have a nose around, you will discover other hidden features, such as this sundial, which I discovered for the first time today, despite having lived here for almost 13 years!

Photo: Adele in Slovenia

Head up the magnificent stairs to visit the Museum of Apiculture and the adjoining Municipal Museum, while numerous concerts take place throughout the year in the Baroque Hall with its amazing acoustics.

The Museum of Apiculture is a hive of activity for beekeepers and bee enthusiasts! It houses a wide collection of bee hives and figural hives, beekeeping equipment and tools.

The museum’s extensive collection of painted beehive frontal panels, including the oldest known in the world, is a particular highlight. Each one tells its own unique folk tale.

The manor also plays host to some of Radovljica’s larger annual events, among them the Radovljica Chocolate Festival, which takes place both indoors and outdoors at various venues throughout the town, as well as the Radovljica Festival – a festival of early music.

A chocolate-themed fashion show in the Radovljica Manor!

Photo: Miha Horvat, 2014

The Radovljica Manor also makes a special venue for weddings and other ceremonies/celebrations.

Photo: Tourism Radol’ca

Photo: Tourism Radol’ca

Outside, to the right of the manor, there is a statue of the art historian and honorary citizen of Radovljica Cene Avguštin, and also a small exhibition titled ‘Radovljica, Our Old Town Through the Centuries’.

So, when visiting Radovljica, be sure to take time to discover the manor – both inside and out. And to end, one useful tip…there are toilets on the ground floor. Not an attraction in themselves but always good to know, wouldn’t you agree?!

© Adele in Slovenia