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The smallest
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Posavje Region
THE ROYAL SEVEN
The castles

Nowhere in Slovenia are there as many castles in such a small area as in Posavje. The castles of Brežice, Kunšperk, Mokrice, Rajhenburg, Sevnica and Svibno and the former Cistercian monastery Ko...

Magnificent Castles
Municipality of Kostanjevica na Krki
PRICE LIST OF PARKING LOT FOR MOTORHOMES
Informations

A paid parking system for motorhomes has been established. Payment options are via the EasyPark application or SMS message, cash payment is not possible.

  • Parking: EUR 10.00 ...

Kostanjevica na Krki is the smallest and only Slovenian inhabited town on the island, hiding in the gentle embrace of the Krka river. Situated between the Krakovo forest, plains of fertile fields and the hilly Gorjanci range, the town has been, throughout history, an inspiration to numerous great people and artists. Myths and tales representing thousands of different faces of natural and cultural heritage have sprung up and stayed. Heritage lives in historic houses, important churches, memorials, and unique wooden river bridges connecting people and places. The impressions are conveyed through creativity of artistic tradition in gallery collections and park of wooden sculptures named Forma Viva.

A unique medieval town on the island

The old town centre of present-day Kostanjevica na Krki was built on an artificial island in the meander of the Krka river. The emergence of the settlement is closely linked to the Carinthian dynasty of the Speinheims, who acquired vast territories along the lower reaches of the Krka river, on the border between the medieval German state and the Kingdom of Hungary, and built the Kostanjevica fortress to defend their estates. The original German name Landestrost – trust, faith, courage of the country – says that Kostanjevica, together with its mint and newly-established monastery in the immediate vicinity, occupied an important political, economic and religious position within the Speinheim territory. The settlement of the same name, which was mentioned as a town on coins from around 1215, was also of great importance, although town rights were first shown in the documents in 1252. At the end of Middle Ages, when the town already started losing its significance, a new German name was introduced – Landstrass. The Slovene name Kostanjevica was first mentioned in 1615. The original urban arrangement with two parallel streets, Ulica talcev and Oražnova ulica (also called Veliki and Mali plac), is probably not of medieval origin. Two main access points to the town were, as they are today, two bridges, on the south and north sides, only then they were drawbridges. Kostanjevica was the only town in Slovenia that was not surrounded by defensive walls and had to rely solely on its location on the island in terms of defence.

Experience Kostanjevica

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Rich cultural heritage in the embrace of the Krka and Gorjanci

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

Secrets of the underground karst world

At the foot of the Gorjanci, where we can admire the contact of Dinaric Karst and sub-Pannonian Plain, the rainwater, underground water courses and tectonic activity have spent millennia creating magnificent flowstone cave formations of fairy-tale shapes. In 1937 the underground water levels increased quickly and revealed the current entrance, offering the captivating interior for the humans to see. The cave is more than two kilometres long and cavers have arranged a shade over three hundred meters for the visitors. The cave has a constant temperature of 12 degrees Celsius. The cave is managed by Caving Club Kostanjevica na Krki and its members organise guided tours where the experts uncover secrets lying deep inside the Gorjanci. The tour is suitable for adults, children, and families.

Nature

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Music, Theatre and Carnival

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

Sleeping beauty and tradition of wooden boats in Kostanjevica na Krki

Experiencing the impression of space in which magically green Krka river slowly flows around the historic town centre in the shape of a palette, only a few visitors remain indifferent. Many spread themselves out and, watching the horizon and oak bridges, simply indulge in their feelings and pleasures of the moment. Those in search of a bit more adrenaline can circumnavigate the island with a wooden boat, on a sup, or simply swim around it. Row or paddle along the Dolenjska beauty with a traditional wooden boat or indulge in silence, interrupted only by the singing of birds.

Boating

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Around nearby hills on foot or by bike

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

Cviček – specialty from the Dolenjska region

In the heart of the Gorjanci, wine-growing hills and typical vineyard cottages abound. This is the homeland of Cviček and other varietal wines, which can be tasted in the surrounding wine cellars. Along with the Tuscan Chianti, it is the only wine in the world consisting of red and white grape varieties. Combined in right proportion, they merge into a perfect harmony. It has pleasant acidity and is light red in colour. Its level of alcohol is low, making this wine light and drinkable. It is a specialty among Slovene wines and globally, as it is unique and cannot be produced anywhere else in the world.

Wine tasting

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Krakovo forest – the largest lowland and floodplain forest in Slovenia

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

Welcome to Kostanjevica. We are looking forward to your visit.
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Contact

Tourist Information Center
Kostanjevica na Krki

Kambičev trg 5

8311 Kostanjevica na Krki

Slovenia

+ 386 7 49 88 152

tic-gbj@galerija-bj.si

 

Opening hours:

Winter: (15.10.-14.4.): from Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summer: (15.4.-14.10): from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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