Preserje: Architectural Heritage and Hiking Trails

Preserje offers two specific points of interest to consider when planning a trip: architectural history and trails. The Church of St. Vitus and the parish barn represent different aspects of the built heritage; the Pot na Mah circular trail and the Planinska obhodnica Pentlja each offer a different type of route. If you are looking for a hotel in Preserje, consider what interests you most: would you mainly like to explore architecture and the history of painting, hike a circular route, or choose a route divided into sections?

Cultural Monuments and Architectural History

The Church of St. Vitus is a centrally planned Baroque building dating from 1711 and is protected as a cultural monument of local significance. Its importance includes historical, art-historical and architectural, as well as ethnological aspects. The central plan comprises an octagonal nave and an equally high octagonal presbytery. Dome roofs and a bell tower on the north side complete the design. The two equally high octagons form a formal connection; the roofs and the tower on the north side add further architectural accents.

The painted decoration also has its own chronology: Janez Šubic painted the dome of the presbytery in 1870 and the walls of the nave in 1871. Trpin painted the dome of the nave in 1910. This makes it possible to distinguish the building’s construction from the later work on different areas by date. For travelers interested in culture, two perspectives sit side by side here: the design of the Baroque building and the distinct chronology of its painted decoration.

The parish barn in Preserje features a different style of construction. It is built of rubble stone and has brick rosettes on its gables. Both floors have vaulted ceilings. Small granary windows are fitted with wrought-iron grilles; in the raised cellar or storage area, there is a wrought-iron gate bearing the year 1837. In contrast to the church, the focus here is on storage areas and wrought-iron elements, while the church complex is defined by its central plan and painted decoration.

Trails and Practical Information

The Pot na Mah circular trail starts at Goričica pod Krimom 29, 1352 Preserje. It is 3.8 km long, follows a circular route, and is suitable for hiking or cycling. Seven information stations are located along the trail. At Goriški mah, there are bicycle racks and benches; more benches are located at the bird-watching station and the outdoor classroom. Some facilities may change over time, so check what is available before your visit.

The Planinska obhodnica Pentlja is divided into 18 sections and marked throughout with the Knafelc blaze and the Pentlja’s figure-eight symbol. It passes through Preserje, where it meets the hiking trail from Preserje to the railway station, and then continues toward Kamnik. The difference in route type is clear: Pot na Mah is a circular trail, while the Pentlja is divided into sections. Some route details may be outdated, so check the route locally.

Discover more destinations: Skaručna, Škofljica, Horjul, Ljubljana, Mački, Rakitna, Medvode, Medno

For the main travel overview: Ljubljana.