Ribnica: Handicrafts, History and Landscape

The Ribnica Valley is bounded by Mala gora to the east and Velika gora to the west. In Ribnica, these landscape features meet handicrafts and history: the castle, museum, galleries and arranged opportunities to see traditional work offer different cultural points of interest during your stay.

Castle, Church and Exhibitions

Ribnica Castle has stood at the centre of Ribnica since at least 1263. The Ribnica Museum in the castle features permanent and changing handicraft exhibitions. The castle tower houses a permanent exhibition on the Ribnica witch trials. In the same castle complex, you can explore both handicrafts and a distinct perspective on the history of the witch trials.

The Church of St. Stephen also brings together art and architecture: it contains an altarpiece of Saint Stephen, created by Ivan Grohar in 1901. The church also has two bell towers, known as the “Ribnica crowns” and described as the last work of Jože Plečnik. Miklova Hiša Gallery houses a Ribnica art collection featuring works from the 1980s and 1990s.

In Hrovača, Škrabec Homestead is the birthplace of the Franciscan friar Stanislav Škrabec. Guided visits there can be arranged by appointment. The annual traditional Veliki pustni karneval in Ribnica offers another cultural occasion: the international mask event attracts thousands of visitors from all over Slovenia. Its dates change from year to year, so the event date for that year is important if you are planning a trip around the carnival.

Handicrafts and Regional Experiences

If you are interested in craftwork, you can plan a range of opportunities to learn more. Handicraft workshops at the Ribnica Handicraft Centre can be arranged by appointment. At Bojc Pottery, you can see how clay is shaped on a pottery wheel by prior arrangement. Both activities require advance arrangements.

Kojek Beekeeping offers a culinary introduction to regional craftsmanship, with guided tastings of different varieties of honey and honey-based drinks. The gallery, handicraft activities and tastings each have a different focus—from art and practical demonstrations to the flavours of honey and honey-based drinks.

Landscape and Activities

Striking natural landmarks and high points are also part of a trip to Ribnica. The 16th-century Church of St. Anne stands on the Mala gora ridge at an altitude of 920 metres. Bele stene is an almost 60-metre-high limestone cliff designated as a natural monument. The source of the Ribnica River can be reached via a forest path suitable for families.

Grmada, at 887 metres above the village of Vrh pri Poljanah, is a popular hiking destination. The route there follows the Trail to Grmada; a mountain hut, open on weekends, lies a few metres below the summit. At 1,254 metres above sea level, Turn is the highest peak of Velika gora.

For anglers, the Ribnica Fishing Club manages six fishing waters in the Ribnica area. The Ricikel bicycle rental system is available around the clock in the Municipality of Ribnica. It provides eight conventional bicycles outside the Community Health Centre – Zdravstveni dom – and the Cooperative Hall building (Zadružni dom) in Ribnica. Check availability before travelling.

The activities have different scheduling requirements: the carnival dates change each year, some visits and workshops are arranged by appointment, and the mountain hut on Grmada is open on weekends. Plan your trip around the experience that matters most to you.

Discover more destinations: Sodražica, Draga, Blate, Ribnica, Glažuta, Rigelj Pri Ortneku, Hrib-Loški Potok, Retje.

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