Ruše: Culture, Pohorje and the Drava

Ruše offers a variety of ways to enjoy a stay: cultural monuments, trails, the Drava, and wine- and cycling-related activities.

Cultural monuments and local history

A trail leads around newer cultural monuments. Between 1976 and 1982, a total of 27 sculptures were created in Ruše as part of four sculptors’ colonies and symposia. The Church of the Name of Mary was built in 1387. Its elaborate stucco decoration was completed in two phases: the choir and the first two chapels were decorated in 1710; in 1721, the second pair of chapels and the nave were completed by master Peter Zaar.

On the first floor of the Dom kulture Ruše are the Mirko Vovšek Gallery and the museum collection. It presents the life and personal belongings of Mirko Vovšek, as well as traditional farming objects and works from the Pohorje glassworks. As the exhibits may change, it is worth checking visitor information in advance. Glazerjeva domačija is the birthplace of Janko Glazer and bears a memorial plaque. Industrial history is also part of the local landscape: the water tower is part of the former Ruše nitrogen factory complex and was built in 1917 for the factory’s needs.

If you would like cultural events to be part of your trip, consider the Letni oder Ruše festival. It takes place every August and includes concerts, theatre performances, social events, exhibitions and culinary offerings. The programme varies from year to year; check the latest dates before travelling. Martinovanje has been celebrated annually on the Ruše Wine Road since 1983. It is also worth checking the latest dates for this festival.

Walking and cycling routes

The Ruše Mountain Trail has ten checkpoints, including Ruše and the Šumik Waterfall. There are also numerous mountain, long-distance, interpretive and themed trails in the Pohorje Regional Park and its surroundings. If you plan to hike there, check current trail conditions in advance. Ruše also has the Čebelarska pot walking trail.

Several routes are available for cycling trips: the Drava Cycling Route passes through Ruše. There is also a network of circular cycling routes on forest, gravel and asphalt roads in the Ruško Pohorje and Ruše area. The routes total 212 kilometres and are suitable for conventional bicycles and e-bikes. Route details may change, so check current maps before setting out. The Z(a)dravje Trail follows the Drava from the mouth of the Lobnica to “Zeleni Dol” in Bistrica ob Dravi.

The Drava, vineyards and seasonal activities

Kayaks, canoes and SUPs can be rented for water sports on the Drava in Ruše. Check equipment availability before your trip. Every year from May to October, the Ruše Sports Park holds rowing on the Drava on Thursdays; check the current seasonal programme in advance for this activity as well.

The Ruše Wine Road is a 2.5-kilometre circular route through the vineyards, passing 24 wine cottages. Six chapels along the road are dedicated to the vine, fertility and Ruše’s wine-growing heritage. The route combines a manageable distance with themes from local wine culture, while Martinovanje is an annual event on the calendar.

For nearby cultural and natural context, you can include Smolnik in the Pohorje: the Church of the Virgin Mary there was built between 1859 and 1861. Near Ruše, the Lobnica stream also flows past the Veliki Šumik and Mali Šumik waterfalls through the ancient forests of the Pohorje.

Discover more destinations: Selnica ob Dravi, Church of the Holy Spirit on Osterberg.

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