You only see what you know (Goethe)
In the areas of Slovenian Styria (Slovenska Štajerska), Carniola (Kranjska)and the Austrian state of Carinthia (Kärnten), hikers find these traditionally painted bee boards (Panjske končnice). With the help of these paintings, beekeepers identify a particular hive.
At first, I was surprised to see embrasures at this part of the former curacy. Later, I learned the Baroque building was erected on top of the walls of a former defence tower. The fresco above the richly ornamented portal depicts Saint Nicholas, to whom the nearby church is consecrated.
Rotenturn Manor (Dvorec Rotenturn) stands in the Slovenian city of Slovenj Gradec. It is one of the town’s most important venues for cultural events. [German]
A pretty narrative mural on the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing (Inštitut za hmeljarstvo in pivovarstvo Slovenije) in Žalec. This institute is located next to the museum about hop-growing and brewing industry in Slovenia.
While travelling through Slovenia, I love to look for agricultural structures called Kozolec. These are traditional hayracks which are typical for this part of Europe. They are not only utilitarian but also known for artsy adornments.
The Lipizzaner horses are most famous for performances at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. The origin of their name is somewhat less well-known. It refers to the Lipica Stud Farm in present-day Slovenia. This stud farm is open for visits. [German]
The Holy Trinity Church (cerkev sv. Trojice) in Hrastovlje formed a fortified church earlier. Today, it offers an outstanding range of frescoes inside. The depictions show both biblical events and a dance macabre. [German]
Do you dare to fight dragons? Pay attention! This creature is only one of four guarding the Dragon Bridge (Zmajski most) in Ljubljana. The bridge saw its completion at the beginning of the 20th century. [German]
A protective building in the style of an ancient Roman sanctuary shelters the remains of the Mithras Shrine III in Ptuj. The shrine was erected in the sixties of the 3rd century by soldiers of the Legio XIII Gemina.
Velenje Castle (Velenjski grad) is a well-preserved castle high over the Slovenian city of Velenje. It offers an intriguing museum inside. For example, you see the reconstruction of an old grocery shop and the remains of two mastodons.
The Baroque church of Olimje castle offers not only a fine altarpiece. In a side chapel of the church, I discovered a statue dedicated to Saint Anthony the Great. One attribute of this saint is a pig, which appears at the feet of the saint.
Bogenšperk Castle (Grad Bogenšperk) was the home of the natural historian and polymath Johann Weichard Valvasor (1641-1693). He became famous for publishing several books about topics like the Karst or the history of Carniola. [German]