»OLD VILLAGE« MUSEUM Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

In 1953, the Museum was first established as a Memorial Museum of Marshal Tito and it worked under the auspices of Ethnographic Museum in Zagreb. Today's ethno-village Kumrovec is the biggest museum on open ground in Croatia that provides visitors an authentic experience of Zagorje village from the early 20th century. Over forty restored buildings of traditional architecture demonstrate how people in the area used to live. Museum exhibitions show us customs and daily life of farmers and their families on one ha...

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS - A PILGRIMAGE CENTRE, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Archaeological sites

The Holy Mountains is an ancient cultic centre on a hill with the same name, which “reigns” over the whole land of Obsotelje with its exposed location. Upon the hill, from the top of which the view reaches all the way to Pohorje and far into the Croatian Zagorje, five sacral objects are located. The central part is occupied by the pilgrimage church of Mary, with four smaller chapels surrounding it.

In the 18th century, a vicarage was built at the foot of the hill and a chapel in front of it, which was dedica...

MONUMENT TO CROATIAN ANTHEM IN ZELENJAK Location: Kumrovec Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

Surrounded by the ruins of Cesargrad and Chapel of Our Lady of snow, on the entrance to the municipality Kumrovec, on the road Klanjec-Kumrovec, there is a monument to the Croatian anthem in a protected, significant landscape Zelenjak, where according to legend, anthem was sung. The monument was erected on November 24, 1935, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the formation of the national anthem by the Society of "Brothers of the Croatian Dragon" and in honor of its author Antun Mihanović. The mon...

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS (SVETE GORE) - MARY’S CHURCH Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

The central church of the Holy Mountains, dedicated to Nativity of Mary was first indirectly mentioned in year 1257. Over the course of next few years, all shrines have been built on the hill. The enlarged church of Mary was sanctified in 1611 by the bishop of Ljubljana, Tomaž Hren. The church was again further extended and enlarged in 1727, when both side naves with galleries were freshly built, the main nave was raised, and an oratory was added to the sacristy. Also, the current empora* was refurbished.

Toda...

WELL OF JOY Location: Kumrovec Category: Wells and fountains

In late 1982, the Council of Kumrovec Memorial Park adopted conceptual landscape solution of "Well of joy," whose authors are: academic painter Edo Kovačević, engineer Dragutin Kiš and engineer Berislav Šerbetić. On the 40th anniversary of the Union of the pioneers of Yugoslavia began the process of collecting pebbles to create a mosaic by “Art Competition”, which involved 696 schools with 7,274 works of art of the former Yugoslavia. From 7.274 art works, a total of 505 art works were selected. Art...

»PRIŠJEK« BY THE GORGE OF RIVER BISTRICA, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

The gorge of river Bistrica is the best preserved river gorge in eastern Slovenia. Its unbelievably preserved river eco-system shows signs of thousands of years of Nature’s work. Bistrica has cut most of its river-bed into Triassic* rock. The gorge is located between Trebče and Zagaj, stretches about 3 km in length and is famous for its picturesque water scenery and spectacular sights, clear water and diverse alternation between narrower and wider parts of the valley.

At certain sections the gorge becomes so ...

MEMORIAL CENTRE (SPOMEN-DOM) Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

Home of Liberation War Veterans and Youth of Yugoslavia (officially Scientific Study Centre) was opened on November 29, 1974. The building was built in a record time of only 2 years. Memorial Centre served as a three-star hotel where tourists stayed coming from all over former Yugoslavia. Centre occupies a total area of about 10.000 m2, of which 7.500 m2 are indoor area. Memorial Centre has a large hall with 270 seats, two smaller halls for about sixty people, a library and reading room, rooms for archives, film li...

STATUE OF HONOR (“THE ANTIPRANGER”) Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

The statue of honor, made by Franci Černelč, is located against the Bistrica ob Sotli municipality. The big stone is made of limestone and sandstone and has a hole made through it in a shape of the pillory. The statue of honor is meant for everyone who deserves to be treated with special honor.

Bistrica ob Sotli has never been a forum. The forum used to be in Kunšperk which is also where the pillar of punishment (also known as the pillory) was located.
In 1882 in Grabron’s bar, someone came to the idea tha...

CASTLE MILJANA Location: Zagorsla sela Category: Castles, fortresses and curias

The construction of the castle began in the late 16th century. Owned by the family Rattkay. It was built of crushed stone and brick, and is designed as a four-winged building with the court. It originated in the Baroque style, and over the years has experienced several phases of construction, and changes. After 1793, with the death of the last member of the family Rattkay castle Miljana often changed owners, and is currently owned by the family Kamenski. On the first floor of the castle Miljana there is eight loung...

THE CHURCH OF ST. PETER, BISTRICA OB SOTLI Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

The church of St. Peter was first mentioned in 1275. Her oldest component is the nave, which is its essence is pre-roman. The initial shape of the chapel was changed in the 14th or the 15th century, when it was heightened and when ribbed vaults were installed. Instead of the rectangular “kor”, a presbytery completed from three-sides was built. Later the church was renovated in baroque fashion and both side chapels were added, dedicated to St. Joseph and Mary. In the time of Turkish raids, the church was surroun...

RESIDENCE IN KUMROVEC Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

Tito's residence was built in 1947 as Hotel "Kumrovec" and in 1962 was rearranged and turned into a residence. During reconstruction the roof was changed, interior remodeled and there was extensive work on horticultural landscaping - Arboretum. Residence covers the land area of 2.911 m2 and the facility consists of 4 floors gross area of 792 m2. For over 25 years, the residence is closed to the public and in 2014 the tender for its rent was announced. Tito's residence is located within the museum &#...

THE CITY HALL Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

The building used to be the Grabron’s bar. After a thorough renovation, the building was festively opened as a city hall in 2006. The building’s ground plan is typical for bars in the 19th century. There is also an old vine in front of the building which is at least 150 years old....

KRAVARIČ’S HOMESTEAD, KUNŠPERK Location: Kunšperk Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

In the central part of Kunšperk lies Kravarič's homestead, a former humble dwelling of a small farmer. It consists of three buildings: the residential house, the pigpen and the outbuilding with a cellar and a granary. The single-storey residential house is from the mid- 19th century.

It is made from wood with the walls plastered and painted. The roof is covered with straw. The interior of the house is divided into four rooms with a traditional layout: upon entering there is a vestibule followed by a black ...

KOLAR’S HOMESTEAD, TREBČE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

Kolar's homestead consists of four buildings- an older, reconstructed residential house from the 18th or the beginning of the 19th century, a residential house from 1927, a new residential house and a barn on the other side of river Bistrica.

The older residential house was given to Ana Kolar, born Javeršek, by her father, when she was widowed and left with five children. After her second marriage, she and her husband Karl Kolar built themselves a new house by the bed of the Periše creek, in 1927. In 1932,...

THE TREBČE POND Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

The river Bistrica once ran under Kolar’s wooden house. In years 1971 and 1972, the new road between Podsreda and Bistrica ob Sotli was being constructed and that is when the riverbed was moved to the south, directly under the foothills of Orlica. The abandoned river-sleeve of Bistrica has been turned into a pond, right next to Kolar’s homestead.

The pond receives water from the Perišče creek, flowing into it and on the eastern part of the pond, and an artificial outflow into river Bistrica has been constr...

CESARGRAD Location: Klanjec Category: Castles, fortresses and curias

Fort Cesargrad is located northwest of Klanjec on the west side Cesargradskog mountains, offering a view of the river Sutla and Zelenjak. It is not known when exactly Cesargrad was built, but it is considered that it was probably the beginning of the 14th century, because it was first mentioned in 1399. when King Sigismund of Luxembourg gave the fortress to Herman of Celje. It was built to defend the entrance to Zelenjak, on the border of the Croatian-Hungarian kingdom and the German Empire, and ranks among our big...

THE KUNŠPERK CASTLE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Castles, fortresses and curias

The Kunšperk castle is one of the few castles, for which the sources confirm was built in 1167-1174 at the site of an older castle, pulled down by Henrik, the bishop of Krško. It is known that the French king Henry the 1st (916-936) built series of castles for protecting the borders especially on the east. With its position right above river Sotla, he dominated the Croatian Zagorje as the opposite pair to Croatian Cesargrad. Both names refer to the national origin of both castles.
The configuration of the chosen...

THE PRIMARY SCHOOL BISTRICA OB SOTLI Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

After the earthquake in 1974, which damaged the old school, the building of the new school started. The official opening of the new school, which was named by Marija Broz, was on 28th April 1979. On 10th of May, the school was visited by Josip Broz - Tito when he officially visited Slovenia for the last time.

The new, modern school offered more opportunities for the teachers and pupils to have quality classes. After 1996, the school officially kept the name of the Primary school Bistrica ob Sotli and left out Ma...

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JOSIP BROZ IN KUMROVEC Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

In 1956, the students first attended, instead of two old school buildings, newly built school. The initiative started from Josip Broz Tito and in record time, the most modern school in Yugoslavia, designed by Croatian architect Neven Šegvić was built. Located in a spacious school park, away from any noise it was a perfect place for such a facility. The first generation had allot of problems in getting used to this kind of space and the use of all modern things that until then had never even seen, let alone use. F...

THE PUBLIC WELL / »PLEČNIK’S WELL« Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Wells and fountains

The well has elements of Plečnik's craft (Plečnik is a architect famous for his planning of Ljubljana and Prague), but there is no consistent data whether this is his work. The municipality has built it with the support of bank management in 1940 by the market area in the centre of Bistrica. It was intended for numerous tourists and pilgrims.

After the war, it was fitted with a panel with an inscription revealing all past names of this place, its altitude and the altitude of the peak of Orlica. When the ro...

THE CULTURE HOUSE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

The culture house has for decades been the place where every cultural event happened in Bistrica ob Sotli. The building was built by the Catholic Education association in 1928 and was renovated for a couple of times afterwards, but has been the center of culture in the village for the whole time.

After the war, they wanted to build a community center and renovate the educational center. In 1947, they started building it and soon after the opening in 1950, they opened a loan bank, a library with the reading club,...

BERNARDI’S HOUSES Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

In 1955 Bernard Bernardi was given the task to design two smaller family house, which was then in Kumrovec, the birth place of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, for any architect, a great honor. Bernardo Bernardi made, a sample family house for the "hard-working people of the socialist labor on a mission in the village", that is for the heads of the nearby primary school which was built at the same time by Neven Šegvić. To build then and there was the issue of professional prestige, the ability to offer or even im...

STADLER’S HOMESTEAD Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

The country manor that is traditionally called Štoglar’s house, among the locals, has a rich architectural decoration, especially emphasized on the two most exposed facades. The main entrance portal is made of stone with the baroque-profiled frame, called “štuk”, made of mortar. The lintel of the stone portal in shaped like a stylized yoke.

Floor design is traditional with a big transitional hall, a black kitchen and living quarters (there is a smoke-outlet by the “house”). In the parlour of the grou...

KUNŠPERK - A TRADING SETTLEMENT Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

Kunšperk was built for trading purposes underneath the same-named castle. As a settlement, it was first mentioned in 1201, and given the title of a “forum” (trg) in 1490. What’s been preserved until today is a stone console and a late-gothic wooden statue of St. Giacomo the older.

According to the testimony of some, there was once a pillory in Kunšperk- a pillar, to which law-breakers were tied or strapped and left for public mockery and humiliation as punishment in the middle-ages. There is an interesti...

THE OLD SCHOOL Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

This was the first school building, located on the former parochial land, built in 1829. Since this building became too small at the end of the 19th century, the municipality took the credit and built a new school in the South-Western part of the village. The new school was opened in 1895. There were classes taught in this building until the Second World War.

At the end of the war, the school was reopened. In November 1948, the school was visited by the Prime Minister of FLRJ, Josip Broz Tito. He donated 100.000...

SIGNIFICANT LANDSCAPE ZELENJAK Location: Kumrovec Category: Natural heritage

Zelenjak Valley is part of the gorge that extends from the river Sutla and reefs of Risvica and Cesargrad mountains on area of about 50 hectares. Since 1949. is protected as a natural rarity and since 1961. as a natural reserve - Forest Park and Memorial Nature monument. In 2011 there was a re-categorization and changes to the boundaries of the protected area, which is extended to Risvica and Cesargradska mountain and its total area is now 287 ha, it also enjoys the protection of the category of significant landsca...

THE CITY HALL Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

The building used to be the Grabron’s bar. After a thorough renovation, the building was festively opened as a city hall in 2006. The building’s ground plan is typical for bars in the 19th century. There is also an old vine in front of the building which is at least 150 years old.

The building behind the city hall used to be a butcher’s shop and a cold store. It has a beautiful terrace in the middle. Under it, there is a big underground room, which does not have any windows. This is where a cold store was ...

MANOR RAZVOR Location: Kumrovec Category: Castles, fortresses and curias

As part of the Ethnological Museum of the Old Village of Kumrovec, there is a manor Razvor which is named after the village where is located, along the Sutla River, the natural border with Slovenia. The manor was built around 1780. and was owned by the aristocratic family Erdödy. It was built in the late Baroque style. At the ground floor of the manor was a large kitchen with a bread oven and space for food preparation, while the rear area was a wine cellar. First floor was lead by wooden stairs and the spacious h...

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS- THE LOURDES CHAPEL Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

On the top of the ridge is a small chapel, initially dedicated to St. Bolfenk, but later, from 1893 on, it was dedicated to the Mother of God of Lourdes. It is the ‘youngest’ of buildings, built ‘just recently’ in 1518.

The inside of the nave is horizontally covered with wooden ceiling. The walls of the nave have once been covered by scenes from the Passion, this was around 1600. Among the preserved we can distinguish Jesus’s ceremonial entrance into Jerusalem, the Last supper, scenes of flogging, cruc...

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS - ST. SEBASTIAN AND FABIAN Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

Above Mary's church stands a chapel dedicated to St. Sebastian and Fabian, yet often also called Boštjan’s chapel. Supposedly built in the 1st half of the 15th century, it was initially a single building, but during the 16th century an open shack was built on its side. This chapel also has a bell-tower, but without the bell.

The interior of the chapel is decorated with gothic and baroque frescoes, among which the most interesting are the scenes with plague patients and people praying for them with the Lor...

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS- THE CHAPEL OF ST. GEORGE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

George’s chapel was built on top of bedrock only metres away from Mary’s Church. It was constructed in the pre-roman era, probably in the 9th or the 10th century. A narrow, high and semi-circularly concluded portal leads to the chapel. On the right side of the entrance portal, imbedded into the wall, is a trapezoid-shaped rock with a carved embossment, named Orans.*

On its arched lintel is an engraving of writing in unusual letters. When prof. Emil Rojs from Celje turned it upside-down, he read the old Slavi...

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS - ORANS Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Archaeological sites

Imbedded in the wall on the right of the door of St. George’s chapel is a plate of irregular shape, into which an embossment of a man with a pear-like head and raised arms is made. Carved next to the left arm are two spheres, which in minds of some present the Sun and the Moon. In the upper part of the embossment are also engravings of more indefinable signs and characters, the writing is similar to the one on the stone portal at the chapel’s entrance.

The embossment has supposedly been created towards the e...

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS- THE CHAPEL OF ST. MARTIN Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

Right under George’s chapel stands a chapel dedicated to St. Martin. It is built on bedrock and has a rectangular, pre-roman nave. In the 2nd half of the 15th century the nave has been vaulted. In front of the entrance is an open shack, added in the 16th century. Leading to the inside of the chapel is a narrow and high portal.

The interior of the chapel is painted with frescoes by a ‘master from Čelovnik’, depicting Martin on a horse, The Last Judgement, Veronica’s cloth… The presbytery is painted wit...

CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF SNOW IN RISVICA Location: Kumrovec Category: Sacral objects

Chapel of Our Lady of the Snow is situated above the monument to anthem in Zelenjak, below Cesargrad. Chapel provides a wonderful view of the "hills of Zagorje, Sutlanska valley and Slovenian mountains”. It is a part of popular legend: "Who first hears the bells of chapel, will have his three wishes fulfilled”. The bell tower has a bell from 1922, and it weighs to about 350 kg. This Chapel of parish Tuhelj was first mentioned in 1639. From that time the church was rebuilt several times, and from that ti...

THE GOD’S FOOT CHAPEL, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

The God’s foot chapel is situated a couple of metres away from the vicarage on the Holy Mountains a bit down the hill, and has been mentioned in written sources dating to the 18th century. The old chapel was torn down in 1939 and a new one was on its way to getting build a short distance lower in 1940. The plans were provided by an engineer from Ljubljana, Simon Kregar. Next to the spring at the time, they built faucets for the pilgrims and traders and a trough for watering livestock.

Today, the spring is basi...

THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS, PLES Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

Right by the Croatian border, in the village of Ples, ascends a hill over the river Sotla, called Vina gora with an affiliate church of the Holy Cross. The church originates from 1607, which is evident from the year inscription on the lintel of the side portal. It has a rectangular nave and a vaulted presbytery completed from three sides, next to which is a shack and a sacristy. The nave has acquired its current look thorough multiple renovations.

Most likely, the vault was added in the 18th century, and was lat...

SUTLA RIVER VALLEY (NATURA 2000) Location: Kumrovec Category: Natural heritage

The basic mechanism of nature protection of the European Union Natura 2000 network includes ecologically important areas of the Member States of the European Union. This areas with its biogeographic balance considerably contribute to the preservation of natural balance and biodiversity. This network, whose purpose is the preservation of endangered species and specific habitat types, currently covers about 30% of the Croatian area, including the Sutla River.
...

FRANCI ČERNELČ’S STATUES Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

The local artist Franci Černelč is the sculptor of several statues standing nearby the Černelč’s wine room in Črešnjevec and around Bistrica ob Sotli. Some of the statues he sculptured are the following: the Muse, “Ulekov Tonča”, Anton Aškerc, Anton Martin Slomšek and others.
He also works in some nearby towns, such as Rogaška Slatina, Podsreda, Rogatec and some places further away from his hometown, such as Slovenska Bistrica, Makole, Radgona. What is more, he works in Austria as well.
...

KUMROVEC STADIUM Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

Kumrovec stadium is located in Razvor on the border with Slovenia. It stretches over the area of 17.5 hectares. It was built for the Universiade 1987. After the Universiade, the stadium is used by FC Zenit, which no longer exists. The stadium is equipped with a drainage system, bleachers, a sound system, dressing rooms and an enclosed area for heating, auxiliary stadium and athletics tartan track.
...

GABRON’S WELL Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Wells and fountains

In Bistrica ob Sotli within Gabron’s homestead stand another well. It was built in 1880 alongside with livestock facilities by Rajmond Gabron, the owner of the property at the time. In 2010 it was renovated with the help of Helios’ fund for restoring village-wells.

Its central location used to draw in the pilgrims and traders. Also, the livestock could be watered by the basin next to the well. Then, it was built from rock in the shape of a circle, measuring 1,3 metres in diameter with a depth of around 15 m...

KRAVARIČ’S CHAPEL, KUNŠPERK Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

Kravarič’s landlords Neža and Jože had built a chapel near the house in gratitude to Mary. As they were expecting their child, their home was struck by tuberculosis. The couple had made their vows to Mary and in March 1910 they were blessed with a healthy child. They named him Jožef, after the father, and soon after fulfilled their promise and built the chapel.

On its walls are, in relation to the names of that generation of the Kravaričes, depicted St. Neža, St. Joseph and the previous church of Kunšpe...

POLITICAL SCHOOL Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

Building of political school in Kumrovec was built in 1981 with money from the communist party membership fee. Political School originally opened in the home of Liberation War Veterans (Memorial Centre) in 1975, while it later moved to another building due to the need for more space. The building was designed as a "campus" because it had all the necessary infrastructure, such as restaurants, theaters, classrooms, rooms, sports hall, sports field, atomic shelters, libraries, printing, conference halls, etc. ...

BRATUŠA’S HOUSE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

The house was built in the 19th century and is located in the northern part of the village. It is a single storey house with a traditional ground plan. This house is L-shaped because of the entrance extension at the backyard. The porch is richly decorated. The house was renovated and sanitized in 2013.
...

NEW CHAPEL OF SAINT ROCO IN KUMROVEC Location: Kumrovec Category: Sacral objects

The new chapel has little historical value since it was built in the new style with very little antiques. Above the main altar is a beautiful statue of St. Roco from the 18th century. St. Roco is shown in painful wounds because on his return from Rome to his hometown in Piacenza he got sick of plague. Statue also shows the dog with a piece of bread. Legend says that his dog was with him because of the mercy that he provided to patients on a pilgrimage to Rome. According to the legend every day the dog brought him a...

THE NOB MONUMENT (NATIONAL LIBERATION STRUGGLE) Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

The NOB monument was made on the local holiday on 22th November, 1960. On this monument there is an engraved marble plate with the names of 27 men and 4 victims of fascism who died between 1941 and 1945.

The monument is made of two parts: a big stone block, the upper part with a five-pointed red star and a bottom triangle part. Around the monument there is a small park.
...

THE DOCTOR’S HOUSE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

A house built of stone is located next to the road. It was built in the 19th century and is well distinguished by its façade. The house is decorated with profiled window rims made of mortar and pilasters.

There is an exceptional spiral motive above the doors, the cellar and the ground floor are connected with indoor staircase. Inside the house there is an interesting room arrangement, the kitchen is in baroque style and has a high vault ceiling.

The house was owned by dr. Firbas, who used to be a local docto...

THE KARSTIC SPRING “DAVJEK”, DEKMANCA Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

An example of karstic influence and processes is the “Davjek” spring in Dekmanca. The spring was formed at the contact point where the limestone slope meets the surrounding plains consisting of impermeable marlstone. The spring in a shallow basin, next to a steep slope, continues into a creek where there’s another water spring. The water of the latter is perfectly safe to drink.

The “Davjek” spring is located by a small fracture in the limestone, dating back to Miocene*. The basin measures 10 m in leng...

CHAPEL OF ST. JOHN IN IVANIĆ MILJANSKI Location: Ivanić Miljanski Category: Sacral objects

The Gothic church was built in the second half of the 15th century, a bell tower was erected in 1694. It is situated on top of a hill in Ivanic Miljanski in an isolated place in the middle of vineyards. “Frescoes in the chapel of St. John in Ivanic Miljanski are best to date discovered wall paintings from the 15th century in the Krapina-Zagorje County”; a statement of the Croatian Conservation Institute who performed the restoration of the frescoes. On the ceiling of the sanctuary is shown Christ on the throne,...

CHAPEL OF SAINT MARTIN IN BOJAČNO Location: Zagorska Sela Category: Sacral objects

The chapel of St. Martin is located in Bojačno. Situated on a hill overlooking the valley of the Sutla, it was first mentioned in 1679. as a subsidiary of the parish chapel Zagorska Sela. During the second half of the 18th century chapel was rebuilt in its present appearance. On the south side is the sacristy and in the west belfry. The humble altar in the central niche has a statue of St. Martin the Bishop. On the arches of ceiling are statues of two bishops: St. Augustine and St. Brice. The side altars are from ...

ST. ANNE CHURCH IN SUTLANSKA POLJANA Location: Zagorska Sela Category: Sacral objects

The church of St. Anne in Sutlanska Polyana is located on a hilltop in Sutlanska Poljana. It was built as a chapel of parish Zagorska Sela. To the church of St. Anne leads “way of the Cross“, which was built in the 18th century. The late Baroque church dates from 1771. Parish Sutlanska Poljana was founded by the Zagreb Bishop Maximilian Vrhovac for dozen villages that before belonged to the parish Zagorska Sela, and chapel of St. Anne became parish Church. Stone bell tower of the Church was built in the last q...

ŽURAJ’S OAK, KRIŽAN VRH Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

The ‘graden’ oak type is very common in Kozjanski park. Žuraj’s oak is special because of its extraordinary dimensions, as it is over a meter and a half wide and at least 250 years old.

In 2006, an illness afflicted the tree and it had to be trimmed and cut thoroughly so that it will survive for at least another hundred years....

CHURCH OF ST. CATHERINE Location: Zagorska Sela Category: Sacral objects

The church of St. Catherine of Alexandria was built 1691. on the foundations of the old church that collapsed because it was built on unstable area, it was also reconstructed in 1829. The church of St. Catherine is the central church of the parish Zagorska Sela, belongs to the old parish Archdiocese of Zagreb. It is located on a hill above the road that leads from Klanjac in the direction of Miljana and Veliki Tabor.

Entering the church, we look down on the main altar and the beautiful Baroque statue of St. Cat...

LOWER PUBLIC SCHOOL IN ZAGORSKA SELA Location: Zagorska Sela Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

The new Lower primary school building was built in 1889. In 1974, an elementary school in Zagorska Sela ceased to operate and the children since then, until today, attend primary school in Kumrovec. Today, in the renovated building of the old school from 2008 is situated Cultural Center of Zagorska sela. After long 34 years at the school building today gather the children and young and old people. They are members of the cultural association "Duro Orlic" with sections of folk dance, singing choir and music ...

LOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL IN KUMROVEC Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

In 1891.by the support of the Provincial Government, the Provincial Foundation of National classrooms and work and dedication of peasants a new school building was completed. At the beginning of first school year, the school was attended by 135 students from Kumrovec and the surrounding villages. In the first grade of elementary school in the school year 1900 / 1901, Josip Broz Tito was enrolled. George Markovic was the first teacher of Josip Broz Tito. About that time, Josip Broz Tito said: "It was difficult ...

STATUE OF MARIJA BROZ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

The statue of Marija Broz is located in front of the Primary school Bistrica ob Sotli. The statue was the gift from the Croatian sculptors Anton Augustinčić and Vladimir Herljevič on the day the school was festively opened. The opening of the school was also witnessed by Marija Broz’s son, Josip Broz Tito.

The Primary school Bistrica ob Sotli used to be named after Marija Broz, which is why her name is still written on the wall of the school.
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REX Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

The statue was made in 2004 as a gift from the Heimschuh municipality from Austria. Their friendly relationship with Bistrica ob Sotli municipality results from the gatherings of Königsbergs. The Bistrica ob Sotli municipality has been joining those gatherings because of the German origin of the Kunšpek’s old name.

The statue of Rex, which was sculptured by Richard Gert, is located on the lawn next to the City hall. On the statue there is an inscription saying: “Poti, ki zbližujejo” (eng. Paths that ga...

POPIJAČ GALLERY Location: Kumrovec Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

Izidor Žiga Popijač is self-taught sculptor born on January 2. 1947. in Bednja, in the village Popijač. Today, in Kumrovec has a house, studio and gallery. After finishing school Isidore goes to Slovenia, in Ptuj, where it learns to be a photographer. In 1966. he received a degree in photography. After his father's death he returned to help his old mother. Ziga then turns from photography to sculpting. His talent for sculpting was spotted early in elementary school. The main materials used in his work are cl...

THE ROCK WINDOW, KUNŠPERŠKA GORA Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

The rock window is a natural phenomenon, which was formed by uneven erosion and the weathering of rock. It is located on Kunšperska gora, which is a forested hill showing numerous signs of diverse natural landscape transformation covered by many rock inselbergs. Looking through the rock window, a view of Orešje and Croatian Zagorje opens up.

This natural window is more difficult to access and is home to different small animal species in spring- and summer-time.
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ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE ŠPIĆEK Location: Zagorska Sela Category: Archaeological sites

Prehistoric site Špičak is located on the slopes of Mount Koštrunovog in the vilage Bojačno in the municipality of Zagorska Sela, in a place that had a very big traffic importance since prehistoric period, and during the Roman Empire this area was one of the most important routes between the provinces of Pannonia and Noricum. The first research on the site Špičak was conducted in the late thirties of the 20th century, while the intensive systematic surveys were conducted in the last thirty years. Archaeologic...

THE CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

The chapel stands in front of the vicarage on the Holy Mountains. The interior was painted by Florijan Umek from Buče, but the artwork hasn’t been preserved well. The chapel was renovated in 1977 and 1978. The statue of Our Lady of Sorrows- Pieta- is a copy/replica.

The chapel has two Tuscan pillars with walled arches and a door in front. In the chapel is a vaulted baldachin on four pillars with crowned capitals. The baldachin and the statue are wooden. They were made in baroque tradition, but in the 19th cen...

THE HOMESTEADS AT TREBEŽE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

On Križan Vrh is a hamlet of four homesteads named Trebeže. The hamlet is ellipse-shaped and is an outstanding indicator of rural living culture and identity. All the homesteads originate from the middle of the 19th century. Aside from the residential buildings, each has an outbuilding and some, more recently constructed, additional complementary buildings. Their common area is characterized by two water-wells.

The homesteads carry old folk names: on the south-eastern part of the clustered settlement is the Ho...

THE RUINS OF ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH, KUNŠPERK Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

The church of St. Margaret on Kunšperška gora is first mentioned in writing in 1545, even then- as a very old church. It was built on top of a prehistoric settlement. Chaplains of St. Peter used to read weather masses in the church and received cider in return.

In 1777 the masses were transferred to St. Mary Magdalene in Orešje at the initiative of the caretaker at Bizeljsko. With Joseph II.’s decree the church was closed down. Today, the only preserved part is the circumferential wall, outlining its shape....

THE SPRING OF RIVER TREBČICA Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

The permanent spring has carved out a short gorge, over the course of thousands of years, above which an about 30 m high, blindingly while rock wall of limestone ascends. Wind, water, the Sun and frost do not permit the wall to be overgrown with greenery, but rather intensively chip at it, turning it into rubble which then slides and tumbles down the slopes and mounds in the vicinity of the spring.

In the dense undergrowth and in the shelter of a stone mound, grass snakes, dice snakes and toads live- animals, w...

FOUNDATIONS OF DESTROYED CHAPEL SAINT ROCO Location: Kumrovec Category: Archaeological sites

The Chapel of St. Roco in Kumrovec was first mentioned in 1686. Today, from the old chapel what remains are only excavated and restored foundations on the hill above Villa "Kumrovec", because the Baroque chapel was demolished in 1962. so it would not be in the way of the view of people coming to visit the birth house of Tito. In its place state authorities have built a new chapel of the same name, on different location.
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THE PLAGUE MEMORIAL (KUŽNO ZNAMENJE), SREBRNIK Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

On the crossing of village roads is a stone pillar with decoratively bevelled edges. It is concluded by a concave block with the year 1749 engraved. There is also a chapel and a stone roof with a cross. Even in 1941, the already worn-out paint-work was still visible in the niches.

According to tradition, it is a ‘plague memorial’. It was last renovated in 1992, when it got new foundations, a new base and a reinforced pillar....

THE WHITE CROSS, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

The memorial, called by the locals also the Štadler's Cross ('Štadlerjev križ'), stands by the main road Bistrica-Podčetrtek. According to tradition, it is a 'kužno znamenje' ('the plague memorial'). It consists of three parts: the base, the pillar and the chapel. The pillar has decorative bevelled edges and a rectangular cross-section, on which a stone chapel with four shallow areas rests. The top is concluded by an expeller-like roof which used to bear the Maltese Cross.

Upon r...

APNAR’S CHAPEL, KRIŽAN VRH Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

The chapel on Bojni Vrh, in which a cross with Christ is placed, is according to tradition one of the oldest chapels in the St. Peter below the Holy Mountains parish. It was built to commemorate the Turkish raids. There is no evidence proving the battles with the Turks really took place in Križan Vrh, but the area where the Apnar’s chapel stands is named Bojni Vrh (translated into “The Battle Peak”…
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VIDEŠEK’S CHAPEL, DEKMANCA Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

The chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, has been built by Franc and Terezija Kostanjšek in 1930 after making a vow. There used be a tall palm tree standing next to the house, underneath which the sheep would rest and lay. One day in 1929, as a child herded the cattle from the pasture and all the family was standing outside in front of the house, a lightning stroke and hit the palm-tree, knocking it down. Because everyone survived and were intact, they built a chapel on the same spot to show Mary their gratit...

THE TIED-UP SAVIOUR, ČREŠNJEVEC Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

The monument is located in the meadow near the Robek’s farm. It is made of a pillar with a Toscan capital and a statue of the tied-up Saviour. The pillar has the edges decorated with tassels in some sections.

On the upper and bottom part of the monument, there is 1740 inscribed on it. The Christ has his tied hands, crossed on his knees and wears a short cape. He has long, curly hair, moustache and a long beard. The upper part of his head is heavily damaged due to its age.

The monument is also known as “Th...

THE TIED-UP CROSS, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

Next to the footpath to Svete gore, there is a monument made of a pillar with a Toscan capital, a chapel with semicircular cavities and a pyramid roof with a cross on top. In the semicircular part of the monument, there used to be visible depictions of the Virgin Mary, St Martin, St George and St Giacomo.

On top of the cross there are the Mary's chronogram and IHS inscribed. There is also a heart pierced with swords depicted. On the monument there is an inscription saying the following: “DAS. CREITZ. HAT....

THE MEMORIAL AT BAČEK’S, KUNŠPERK Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

The stone memorial consists of three parts: the base, the pillar with bevelled edges and a mount with the chapel. On its top is a statue of Mary, clothed into a long, puckered robe with her hand clasped into prayer and her gaze aimed towards the sky.

According to the story, the statue was sculptured by Franc Avgustinčič, a later-to-be mason in Graz. The upper part of the memorial is dated to 18th century, while the pillar is probably from the middle of the 19th century....

OSOJNIK’S CROSS, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

The stone pillar-shaped memorial stands by the forest path from the Holy Mountains towards Vrhunce. On the checked capital is an inscription: N. D. H. C. T. VITRIRI. G. CEMELIC GVLISHNEK R. DG. B. P. 1612. Above it is a chapel, in which there were once images of St. Andrew and the Mother of God. On top is a stone pyramid- shaped roof with a stone cross with the name MARIA and INRI inscribed.

According to tradition, it was a monument erected in memory of a visit of the bishop of Ljubljana, Tomaž Hren, to the Ho...

AT PETER’S (NA PETROVEM), ČREŠNJEVEC Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

The memorial stands in a former church vineyard, named Peter's Cellar (Petrova Gorca) and is made of three parts: the pillar, the chapel and the statue of Our Mother of Sorrows with her dead son on her lap (pieta).

The plastic has been severely damaged by the ravages of time, but Jesus's dead body is still nicely visible in Mary's lap. The memorial doesn't have visible year engraved, but it has been estimated to be from the 18th century.
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MARKEC’S CROSS, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

This brick monument, also locally called the Cross of Markec, stands a bit higher over the beginning of the Obrež hamlet, on the clearing above Markec’s Mill. It is made of massive stone blocks. According to the stories, it was supposedly built in 1573 on top the buried Turkish soldiers, which were defeated in the vicinity. At night, it is said, the monument becomes haunted, which is why people have always avoided it from dusk on.

Below the top, it has four pointedly-fractured cavities, which have triangular...

MARGARET, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

The memorial above Virje in Zagaj once consisted of a monolith pillar and a statue, which was supposed to represent the kneeling St. Margaret. Today, the lower part of the pillar is preserved, while the upper part, after the memorial was torn down, mysteriously disappeared. The pillar is the slimmest of all pillars, with the upper part being simply mounted on the lower part.

On the pillar is an inscription: Aggnes Tioned Ellabv 1765 HIS, while depicted in the lower embossment is The Crucified in a trefoil niche....

AHAC, ČREŠNJEVEC Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

The memorial that once stood in Okič, right above the cellar of ex-headmaster Emerik Moric, was torn down around 1910 and rebuilt in 1914. What remains of the memorial today is the base with the pillar and the mound (without the head). The pillar with bevelled edges has the year 1749 engraved in it.

Emerik’s son Ado Moric- Darian and his uncle Franc Flis have rebuilt the memorial in 1914 and into the slot of the base, they laid a container with Austiran bank notes and a parchment with the name of the people, ...

MARKEC’S MILL Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

The mill stands by the river Bistrica and is accessible from the road Bistrica ob Sotli-Obrež. The brick-built building, extending into the living quarters for the miller, was erected in 1842. The building is a subject of decay, but here are two stone portals visible nevertheless.

Slowly but surely ‘melting away’ is also the dam, which once enabled and provided a strong enough water current for the operation of the mill, and a deep-water swim in the summer months for the locals....

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»OLD VILLAGE« MUSEUM Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS - A PILGRIMAGE CENTRE, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Archaeological sites

MONUMENT TO CROATIAN ANTHEM IN ZELENJAK Location: Kumrovec Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS (SVETE GORE) - MARY’S CHURCH Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

WELL OF JOY Location: Kumrovec Category: Wells and fountains

»PRIŠJEK« BY THE GORGE OF RIVER BISTRICA, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

MEMORIAL CENTRE (SPOMEN-DOM) Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

STATUE OF HONOR (“THE ANTIPRANGER”) Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

CASTLE MILJANA Location: Zagorsla sela Category: Castles, fortresses and curias

THE CHURCH OF ST. PETER, BISTRICA OB SOTLI Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

RESIDENCE IN KUMROVEC Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

THE CITY HALL Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

KRAVARIČ’S HOMESTEAD, KUNŠPERK Location: Kunšperk Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

KOLAR’S HOMESTEAD, TREBČE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

THE TREBČE POND Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

CESARGRAD Location: Klanjec Category: Castles, fortresses and curias

THE KUNŠPERK CASTLE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Castles, fortresses and curias

THE PRIMARY SCHOOL BISTRICA OB SOTLI Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JOSIP BROZ IN KUMROVEC Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

THE PUBLIC WELL / »PLEČNIK’S WELL« Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Wells and fountains

THE CULTURE HOUSE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

BERNARDI’S HOUSES Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

STADLER’S HOMESTEAD Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

KUNŠPERK - A TRADING SETTLEMENT Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

THE OLD SCHOOL Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

SIGNIFICANT LANDSCAPE ZELENJAK Location: Kumrovec Category: Natural heritage

THE CITY HALL Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

MANOR RAZVOR Location: Kumrovec Category: Castles, fortresses and curias

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS- THE LOURDES CHAPEL Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS - ST. SEBASTIAN AND FABIAN Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS- THE CHAPEL OF ST. GEORGE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS - ORANS Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Archaeological sites

THE HOLY MOUNTAINS- THE CHAPEL OF ST. MARTIN Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF SNOW IN RISVICA Location: Kumrovec Category: Sacral objects

THE GOD’S FOOT CHAPEL, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS, PLES Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

SUTLA RIVER VALLEY (NATURA 2000) Location: Kumrovec Category: Natural heritage

FRANCI ČERNELČ’S STATUES Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

KUMROVEC STADIUM Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

GABRON’S WELL Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Wells and fountains

KRAVARIČ’S CHAPEL, KUNŠPERK Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

POLITICAL SCHOOL Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

BRATUŠA’S HOUSE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

NEW CHAPEL OF SAINT ROCO IN KUMROVEC Location: Kumrovec Category: Sacral objects

THE NOB MONUMENT (NATIONAL LIBERATION STRUGGLE) Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

THE DOCTOR’S HOUSE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

THE KARSTIC SPRING “DAVJEK”, DEKMANCA Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

CHAPEL OF ST. JOHN IN IVANIĆ MILJANSKI Location: Ivanić Miljanski Category: Sacral objects

CHAPEL OF SAINT MARTIN IN BOJAČNO Location: Zagorska Sela Category: Sacral objects

ST. ANNE CHURCH IN SUTLANSKA POLJANA Location: Zagorska Sela Category: Sacral objects

ŽURAJ’S OAK, KRIŽAN VRH Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

CHURCH OF ST. CATHERINE Location: Zagorska Sela Category: Sacral objects

LOWER PUBLIC SCHOOL IN ZAGORSKA SELA Location: Zagorska Sela Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

LOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL IN KUMROVEC Location: Kumrovec Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

STATUE OF MARIJA BROZ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

REX Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

POPIJAČ GALLERY Location: Kumrovec Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

THE ROCK WINDOW, KUNŠPERŠKA GORA Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE ŠPIĆEK Location: Zagorska Sela Category: Archaeological sites

THE CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

THE HOMESTEADS AT TREBEŽE Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage

THE RUINS OF ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH, KUNŠPERK Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

THE SPRING OF RIVER TREBČICA Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

FOUNDATIONS OF DESTROYED CHAPEL SAINT ROCO Location: Kumrovec Category: Archaeological sites

THE PLAGUE MEMORIAL (KUŽNO ZNAMENJE), SREBRNIK Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

THE WHITE CROSS, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

APNAR’S CHAPEL, KRIŽAN VRH Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

VIDEŠEK’S CHAPEL, DEKMANCA Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

THE TIED-UP SAVIOUR, ČREŠNJEVEC Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

THE TIED-UP CROSS, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

THE MEMORIAL AT BAČEK’S, KUNŠPERK Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

OSOJNIK’S CROSS, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

AT PETER’S (NA PETROVEM), ČREŠNJEVEC Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

MARKEC’S CROSS, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

MARGARET, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

AHAC, ČREŠNJEVEC Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Skulptures, monuments and memorials

MARKEC’S MILL Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Architectural and ethnological heritage