8 Things to Do in Trzic That You Shouldn't Miss

Although the Dovžan gorge is older than the dinosaurs, no dinosaur had ever set foot in it. But they probably swam in it. For the last 300 million years the gorge was covered by tropic sea. Marine animals swarmed in it, this is why the gorge's rocks are full of their fossils. Even fossils that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Today, this is where lies a narrow gorge with steep walls of a multitude of colours. The recently renewed path starts at the parking lot behind the Čadovlje village near Tržič. The village is also home to the Jamenšnik homestead, a unique example of rustic architecture, typical of the Karawanks. And the nearby "paštba", the only renovated brick kiln for flax and fruit, hosts the information point. The path then passes by the information signs between steep walls, over a bridge and through a gallery, by the longest stream with Waterfalls in Slovenia and geological column, where rocks, between 300 and 260 million years old, can be seen. The views around the gorge are astonishing. The bravest explorers can tackle a steep path with steel stairs, secured with steel wire ropes, which anyone can take on without feeling dizzy. True climbers, however, can test their abilities in climbing areas on the mysterious Kušpergar's towers, five vertical stone columns - remnants of the prehistoric coral reef. There are as many secrets in the Dovžan gorge, as there are stones on the path. And even though there are countless fossils on every step, the Plesiosaurus has not been found yet. It is buried somewhere deep, waiting for someone to discover it.

The exhibition "Tržiški šuštarji" at the Musem of Tržič presents the richest shoemaking collection in Slovenia. The exhibition presents the remarkable tradition of Tržič shoemaking, which thousands of people from Tržič made a living with, and offers the opportunity to see first-hand the old manually crafted footwear and the Peka industrial production and their results, which reflected in the shoe-wearing culture of the people of Tržič and other Slovenians. Tržič is one of our oldest sports and skiing centres, from which most of the Slovenian Winter Olympics team members hail. It is not a coincidence, therefore, that the Slovenian Ski Museum opened its doors right here. The permanent exhibition displays the history of skiing, from the first testimonies in prehistoric times until today. A special place is occupied by the skiers from Tržič, who competed at the Winter Olympics for the first time in 1948. The exhibition presents the most resounding results obtained by Jože, Šlibar, Bojan Križaj, Andrej Jerman and Žan Košir. Part of the exhibition is dedicated to the great names of the Slovenian alpine skiing, who achieved the greatest successes at the Olympics and World Championships, and to the winners of the World Cup. In addition to the mentioned Exhibitions, the Musem of Tržič displays other crafting collections (tanner, wheelwright, blue-printing and textile collections). One of the rooms is dedicated to the Borns, a family of barons that marked the life in the settlement of Jelendol and the wider area of Tržič from the end of the 19th to the 20th century.

The "Gorenjska plaza" is a sophisticated pool complex offering recreation and relaxation in a pleasant natural environment, and with its view on the surrounding hills it is ideal for retreating from everyday hustle and bustle. Additional relaxation and pleasure in water is provided by a wild river and massage chairs in semi-circles. The more sporty swimmers can use the 50-metres pool, while the little ones can try the smaller, round pool with a depth from 15 to 65 cm. Kids’ fun spreads from the pool to the "Fletnca" boat, anchored under the safe shelter of old larch trees. A special experience is evening bathing, since the pool also provides underwater lighting. The pools are filled with natural drinking water, heated with solar panels. On average the water reaches 26°C. The complex also includes an Amphitheatre, intended for cultural and entertainment events.

Ruins and a monument to the memory of the brave, the suffering and those who lost their lives in the war lie in the immediate vicinity of the first adrenaline park in Slovenia. The subsidiary of the notorious Mauthausen concentration camp, the prisoners of which dug a tunnel under Ljubelj, stood here during WWII. This also serves as the memorial of the clandestine and unselfish help given by the people of Tržič to the prisoners by smuggling food, mail and parcels from relatives. At the place where the Ljubelj concentration camp once stood there is a memorial park with the remains of camp huts, other buildings and the crematorium. On the right-hand side of the road stands the "J'accuse" monument which was designed and made as a reminder of wartime events by Boris Kobe and Jože Bertoncelj and was unveiled in 1954. In the cellar of the nearby guesthouse there is a room of remembrance with a permanent exhibition about the Ljubelj concentration camp.

Everything began with the dragon. It made its lair deep into the longest Slovenian mountain, Mt Košuta. When it grew into a large beast, it split the mountain in half. An avalanche came rumbling down, burying the settlement under the mountain. To save themselves the residents rushed into the valley. After a while they ran out of breath and stopped. The mountain stream flowed into the river at exactly that spot. They liked it. They rolled up their sleeves, built houses and founded the town that is now known as Tržič. This was a long time ago. So long ago that in 1492, exactly two months after Columbus discovered America, Tržič was not just a village, but already a square. Every few centuries the town of Tržič was renovated, as it was burned down to the ground by fire. This is why it is the only town with a two centuries old fire protection and the then mandatory use of metal doors and shutters, which was a European peculiarity. Tržič had also its own castle on top of the hill, which sadly burned in one of those fires. This happened when it was owned by the world-renowned Austrian Field Marshal Josef Radetzky, famous today for the eponymous march composed by Strauss. Radetzky replaced the burned-down castle with today's mansion. He was held in high regard by the people of Tržič due to his generosity. Since there was a lot of traffic in this area already in Ancient Roman times, the people of Tržič reinvented themselves to become very enterprising ironworkers, wheelwrights, textile workers, tanners and above all shoemakers. The rich collection in the Museum of Tržič and the famous event "Šuštarska nedelja" are evidence of this glorious crafting history. Today, Tržič is a pleasant old town, protected as a cultural monument. This is a place worth stopping at and listening to its countless stories. By the way, what happened to the dragon that took credit for Tržič? It was buried by the same avalanche that it caused. Lucky for the visitors of Tržič, otherwise it would still scare them today.

Restless explorers can discover not only the attractions above ground, which can be seen in all their splendour from the surrounding hills and the Born path leading to Mt Preval with the renowned Born tunnels. Secrets are also hidden underground. One of them is an abandoned mercury mine. Part of the mine is available for guided visits.

The birth house of the poet Vojteh Kurnik belongs among the most precious testimonies of the past living conditions in Tržič. The house fascinates with its more than three-hundred-years-old history. With its brick ground floor, wooden first floor, a cup-shaped roof, a black kitchen and drying openings on the roof it combines rustic and urban architecture of the 18th, 19th and first half of the 20th century. It presents the living environment of a past period, and one of the rooms displays the life and work of the poet. You can visit the Kurnik house by prior arrangement in Tržič Museum.

Krucefix is a unique handcrafted distillery located not far away from a historically rich town Trzic, Slovenia. Right there at the foothills on the sunny side of Karavankas Alps part of mountain range of the Southern Limestone Alps. Feel the taste of more than 47 different spirits and liqueurs all limited produced only from locally sourced ingredients.