Tržič: Old Town, Crafts and Trails

Explore Tržič through its protected old town and craft traditions, as well as along trails to cultural and natural attractions. When planning your stay, you can choose between museum exhibits, shorter walks around town and longer routes in the surrounding area.

Old Town, Crafts and Museums

The old town of Tržič is fully protected as a cultural monument. Its history is closely linked to a tradition of crafts that included ironworking, wheelwrighting, textile and leather working, and, above all, shoemaking. The Tržič Museum is housed in the former Pollak dyehouse and tannery in the old blacksmithing and craft district; preserved water channels lie alongside it.

At the Tržič Museum, the “Tržiški šuštarji” exhibition is devoted to shoemaking and is considered the most extensive shoemaking collection in Slovenia. Fužina Germovka is considered the best-preserved blacksmith’s workshop in Tržič. Both sites are well suited to a walk focused on the history of crafts. The Museum Detective Trail leads through the old town to Neuhaus Castle, linking a route through town with this destination.

The Slovenian Ski Museum is a department of the Tržič Museum and is located in Pollak House. Its exhibition explores the development of skiing, from its prehistoric origins as a means of transport to modern ski champions. Its timeline therefore spans the early use of skiing through to today’s competitive sport.

Kurnik House offers a distinct architectural focus: it brings together rural and small-town architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries and the first half of the 20th century. Its features include a masonry ground floor, a wooden upper floor, a shingle roof, a black kitchen and drying openings in the roof. The sites each offer a different focus: the museum and workshop showcase crafts and their history, while Kurnik House reflects a combination of architectural styles.

Walks around town and to viewpoints

The “Sledi industrije” trail brings the shoemaking tradition to life along its route: metal shoe prints lead to historic shoemaking sites throughout the historic centre of Tržič. The trail is about 2 km long and takes approximately an hour and a half, including short breaks. If you have less time, you could take the walk to St. Joseph’s Church. It takes a little over ten minutes from the town centre and offers a view of the historic district.

Another option is the trail to Kamnek from the historic town centre. It is considered easy and takes about an hour. The estimated times help you compare the routes described here: the short walk to the church, the trail to Kamnek and the longer “Sledi industrije” themed trail.

Nature in the surrounding area

Nearby is Dovžanova soteska, a protected natural monument. A scenic nature trail runs through the gorge. Also nearby, a nature trail has led through the Blata wetland since spring 2014; it includes eleven observation points. The two trails offer different experiences: a gorge with a nature trail and a wetland with several observation points.

Šentanski rudnik is 9 km north of Tržič. The fully preserved, five-kilometre cave system can be explored on a guided tour through Antonov rov on the fifth level. Arrangements must be made for guided access. Plan this visit differently from walks in the town centre and confirm the necessary arrangements in advance.

Local dishes and an event date

Tržič restaurants serve selected traditional dishes from Tržič prepared in a modern style; individual offerings may vary. Local dishes include Tržiške bržole, a stew made with sheep or mutton. Šuštarska nedelja takes place on the first Sunday in September. Check the exact programme before your trip if you would like to plan your stay around this date.

Discover more destinations: Loka.

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