In the 13th century the Cistercians positioned a mighty monastery complex in a peaceful area between the Gorjanci and the plain. Today it is a monument of national importance and a place where art and culture intertwine with nature and serenity. Walking through the park that hosts open air wood sculptures of International Symposium of Sculptors Forma Viva, you reach the Božidar Jakac Art Museum, one of the biggest present-day art museums in Slovenia. Permanent exhibitions display the works of eight important Slovenian artists of the first half of the 20th century and an exceptional Pleterje Collection (European painters). In the former monastery church and lapidary you can admire prestigious ambiental installations of contemporary art. After the renovation of western wing a spacious exhibition ground was gained, where international and major retrospective exhibitions are on display. You can attend art workshops and other events accompanying the exhibition programme, enjoy the idyllic ambient or choose between wines of local producers in the Cviček Wine Cellar.

Culture

During carnival celebrations, the sceptre of the town is taken by the representatives of the Ethnological Society Prforcenhaus, who spin the town into traditional, multi-day carnival – Šelmarija, which is the celebration of all local people. The means of payment becomes Chestnut, which is overseen by the Governor of the Prforcenhaus Bank, new embassies in the neighbouring municipality of Šentjernej are opened, a special vignette is in force for the road use, the protocol Cviček wine is chosen, they organize a buffoonish general assembly where a new president is undemocratically elected and much more besides. Every third Saturday in July, ES Prforcenhaus enriches the town with the traditional Kostanjevica Night, when enchantingly decorated boats and floating candles drift down the Krka river and live music echoes late into the night. In the summer, you should not miss the events of Festival of Culture Kostanjevica (FKK) under the slogan Only naked culture and nothing else, which has established itself in recent years as a recognizable boutique festival with quality music, theatre and literary programme, accompanied by interesting workshops and lectures. In July of every second (odd) year the traditional site of International Symposium of Sculptors Forma Viva comes to life and is attended by sculptors from all over the world. Many visitors go and admire their skilful swinging of tools, which can be heard far and near, or strike up a relaxed conversation with sculptors.

Traditional events

Landscape around Kostanjevica is always enrobed in beautiful colours of nature. The Krka river calms with its greenish blue colour, dreamy town streets take us far back in time, the Gorjanci inspire with their diverse vegetation and view of wine-growing hills. Take a walk around the town and its surroundings or opt for one of many hiking or biking trails, which offer great scenic views. Go to Črneča vas and visit the Watchtower from the time of the Turkish invasions or try out the wine harvest in one of the vineyard cottages.

Activities

The endlessness and magic of the forest take the visitor to another world, a mosaic of aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The main features of the forest are the diverse forest undergrowth and good condition of forest communities, which are especially characteristic of the central part of the forest, where the only Slovene lowland primeval forest remains. In the nature reserve, which has a character of secondary primeval forest, enormous mass of wood of vital centuries-old English oaks with wide branched crowns is awe-inspiring. The impression of primeval forest is complemented by standing and fallen tree giants which have withered away. In the middle of agricultural land, the Krakovo forest offers a high-quality habitat and refuge to numerous plant and animal species. A visit to the forest is possible only in the company of a professional guide.

Nature heritage