Despite being a tiny country just over 20 thousand square kilometers and 2 million inhabitants, Slovenia’s cultural and natural heritage is very rich and can easily be compared to the one of larger nations. Let’s have a look at the five UNESCO sites in Slovenia you can (and should!) add to your want-to-see-list.
As a local travel agency specialized in organizing tailor-made trips all over the Balkan, we know that UNESCO sites play an important part when designing a travel itinerary. Since 1979, when first introduced, the list has extended to over a thousand locations all over the world and has become an important reference for must-see attractions.
to visit all UNESCO sites in Slovenia
ŠKOCJAN CAVES
Most tourists in Slovenia visit the word-famous Postojna Cave, but it was the nearby Škocjan Caves who caught the eye of the UNESCO committee back in 1986, when this country was still part of Yugoslavia. No wonder, since its system represent some of the most significant Karst topography phenomena in the world and is regarded as one of the largest underground river canyons known to us.
The Škocjan Caves lie in the hear of the mysteries Karst region, land of caves and other karstic phenomena. It was here that scientists first explained numerous karst features and used its name for all karst landscapes across the world.
If you are not sure which cave to put on your trip itinerary, we advise you to visit both since they offer very different experiences. Those who visited both, Postojna and Škocjan, will tell you they are nothing a like. However, walking through the Škocjan Cave can be a little bit more demanding, especially if you don’t have any hiking experiences.
JOŽE PLEČNIK’S ARCHITECTURE
What Gaudi means to Barcelona and Bernini to Rome, Jože Plčenik means to Ljubljana. Without a doubt the most famous Slovenian architect completely transformed the capital of the Slovenian nation by creating a series of public spaces and institutions; and integrating them into the pre-existing urban landscape. His works are so prominent that simply cannot be missed when taking a walking tour of Ljubljana. They include the vast promenade along the embankments of the Ljubljanica River and the bridges crossing it (most notably the famous Triple Bridge), the green Vegova Street with the gorgeous National and University Library, Star Park on Congress Square, the historic Trnovo Bridge and his contribution to ancient Roman Walls.
Our professional guides will be happy to point out all of them on your regular tour though the pedestrianized center of Ljubljana. However, if you are really interested in Plečnik’s life and work, we can also organize an in-depth tour with a specialized guide. Besides the sights mentioned above, they can also take you to Plečnik’s other landmarks located out of the city center; they include the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Šiška district, the elegant entrance to the Žale Cemetery and the modern-looking St. Michael’s Church in Črna Vas, just outside Ljubljana.
Visit UNESCO sites in Slovenia with a professional guide
The two UNESCO sites in Slovenia mentioned above are unique only to this country. But there are three additional items on the Word Heritage List which Slovenia shares with other countries.
HERITAGE OF MERCURY IN IDRIJA AND ALMADÉN
Mercury is the only metal liquid at room temperature. For centuries, it has long been irreplaceable in a variety of technical, chemical, and industrial processes. No wonder it significantly shaped the development of Idrija, a little Slovenian town, when it was discovered here back in 1490. It rose to become one of the two largest mercury mines in the world, second only to the one in the Spanish town of Almadén, with whom it shares the UNESCO title. The site features the infrastructure and technology related to mercury production and bears testimony to the international trade, which generated important exchanges between Europe and America over the course of history. If you pass through Idrija, don’t hesitate to peak into the mine, which is no longer producing mercury, but is still open for visitors.
PREHISTORIC PILE DWELLINGS IN LJUBLJANA MARSHES
Between the 5th and mid-1st century BC, prehistoric people living around the Alps built a series of unique settlements known for their stilt houses on the edges of lakes, rivers or wetlands. Excavations in these sites have provided a remarkable insight into the life of the Neolithic and the Bronze Age people and are regarded as one of the most important sources for the study of early agrarian societies in Europe. That is why, in 2011 the UNESCO committee decided to put 111 of them on its list of world heritage. Two of these sights are located in Slovenia, just south of its capital, on a vast wetland known as the Ljubljana marshes. Of course you will not see any pile dwellings if you decide to visit the marshes today, as they are all long gone. We recommend you to peek into Ljubljana City Museum instead, where you can learn all about life in the prehistory and marvel at the oldest wooden wheel in the world. It was discovered on the site of the Neolithic settlement south of Ljubljana and is believed to be over 5000 years old.
FORESTS RESERVES OF KROKAR & SNEŽNIK-ŽDROCLE
UNESCO decided to protect a huge area of primeval forests all over the Europe. As of 2021, this listing features 94 different forests in 18 European countries. Alongside Slovenia there are also Ukraine, Slovakia, Romania, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy and Spain. The protected areas mark places from where the European beech has spread across the continent since the end of the last Ice Age. Two forests reserves in Slovenia (Krokar and Snežnik-Ždrocle) were listed in 2017 and are also home to the mighty brown bear which you can spot on our popular safari trip.
Eager to learn more about the UNESCO sites in Slovenia? Get in touch with our friendly agents at ➨ info@ekorna.net and we will be happy to put together a personalized trip to Slovenia. Let us know which World Heritage attractions you want us to show you and we will make it happen. We will find flights, hotels and organize transfers. Our professional guides will take you around this great green country and explain you all the details about its amazing history and jaw-dropping nature.
for a tailor-made tour of Slovenia
