Discover Mirna Peč: Culture, Trails and Nature

Mirna Peč offers several specific reasons to visit: historic buildings, an exhibition about Tone Pavček, hiking trails and the waterscape around Zijalo. If you are looking for hotels in Mirna Peč, this overview can help you shape your stay around cultural history, literature or a particular trail length. The following sections show how these themes differ.

Cultural history between Tabor and the parish church

The Tabor of Mirna Peč was built in the early 16th century as a fortification to protect against Ottoman raids. Its foundations are displayed in the paving on site. So, alongside its period of construction, a visible architectural feature is also part of the Tabor’s history.

The Church of St. Cantius (Župnijska cerkev sv. Kancijana) has been documented in written records since 1433. Its Gothic choir is well preserved and significant from an art-historical perspective; work on the church was completed in 1917. The dates refer to different aspects: 1433 marks the first written record, while 1917 marks the completion of the construction work. Together, they offer insight into the church’s long history, though they do not refer to the same event.

Tone Pavček, Lojze Slak and a hiking route

The Tone Pavček exhibition at the Lojze Slak Museum in Toneta Pavčka features audio recordings, interactive elements and a dynamic visual projection of Pavček’s poetry. These offer several ways to engage with the poetry of the Slovenian poet: through the spoken word, interactive elements and visual presentations of his verses.

One way to connect the names Pavček and Slak with a walking route is the Pot Slakove in Pavčkove mladosti. This 12-kilometre hiking route starts in front of the cultural centre in Mirna Peč and ends at the Lojze Slak Museum in Toneta Pavčka. At a moderate walking pace, it takes about three hours. The distance and approximate walking time give you a concrete guide when planning this hike as part of your stay.

Mirna Peč also hosts an annual memorial hike honouring the Slovenian poet Tone Pavček and the accordionist and singer Lojze Slak. It is a recurring event that puts both figures in the spotlight; it should be distinguished from the 12-kilometre route, which is described separately.

Compare routes by length

Pot Temenica is a marked, six-kilometre hiking trail. It is suitable for families with children and hikers of average fitness. Six points are marked on the map, giving you an overview of the stops along the route. Pot Temenica is therefore shorter than the 12-kilometre Pot Slakove in Pavčkove mladosti.

The longer route takes about three hours at a moderate walking pace; Pot Temenica is listed as six kilometres long. This comparison concerns the route length and the approximate walking time given for Pot Slakove in Pavčkove mladosti.

Geology and water at Zijalo

Zijalo is protected as a natural monument for its hydrogeological and geomorphological features. Beneath a 35-metre-high cliff is the flood overflow, or water cave, Vodna jama pod Zijalom. The Temenica also resurfaces for the second time at Zijalo.

Here, geological formations and the course of the water take centre stage: the reasons for protection include hydrogeological and geomorphological features, while the cliff, cave or overflow and the Temenica’s reappearance describe specific characteristics of the site. Zijalo complements the cultural and historical themes with a distinct perspective on nature and water.

Culinary experience in Mirna Peč

The 2026 edition of the culinary experience “Mir na Peč, dobru bo!” features sweet and savoury dishes, as well as homemade products from local vendors, restaurateurs, associations and individuals. Participating vendors and the food on offer may vary. This gives you a sense of the experience’s culinary character without assuming that the offerings remain the same over time.

Discover more destinations: Vinica Pri Šmarjeti, Dvor, Dolenje Kronovo, Šmarjeta, Žužemberk, Šentjernej, Otočec, Dolenjske Toplice.

For the broader travel overview: Novo Mesto.