Heritage of Crafts and Trades Comes Alive at Two Traditional Fairs in Ribnica and Tržič
At the beginning of September, two of Slovenia’s towns proudly rooted in craft traditions – Ribnica and Tržič – invite visitors to experience centuries of artisanal heritage brought to life at their traditional fairs.
Ribnica Fair – A Living Museum of Woodenware and Pottery
With its centuries-old tradition of woodenware (suha roba) and pottery, Ribnica is a cradle of Slovenian craft heritage. Every first Sunday in September, the town transforms into a vibrant open-air museum, as more than 350 artisans and exhibitors gather for the celebrated Ribnica Fair. First granted the right to hold fairs in the 16th century, the event was revived in 1976 and today ranks among Slovenia’s largest ethnological and tourism gatherings, attracting over 30,000 visitors.
Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts, from the making of wooden spoons and boards to fine pottery and enjoy parades with craft presentations. Alongside authentic handmade products, local cuisine offers a true taste of Ribnica’s heritage.
The iconic St Stephen’s Church, with its two towers designed by Jože Plečnik, provides a striking backdrop to the fair.
Cobbler’s Sunday in Tržič – Honouring Shoemaking Traditions
The same Sunday, Tržič hosts Šuštarska nedelja (Cobbler’s Sunday), deeply embedded in the town’s shoemaking identity. Historically, apprentices were ceremonially promoted to journeymen on this day – a rite of passage followed by a festive fair.
Once known across the Austro-Hungarian Empire for its footwear, Tržič still honours its legacy through live workshops where shoemakers demonstrate traditional handcrafting techniques and leatherwork. Today, the event has expanded into Šuštarfest, a colourful fair showcasing a wide array of crafts, performances and culinary delights, while keeping shoemaking at its heart.
Both Ribnica and Tržič offer visitors a unique opportunity to step into Slovenia’s artisanal past, meet master craftsmen, and experience how heritage and creativity continue to thrive in the present.
Photos in the collage by: top left: Jošt Gantar, top right: Daniel Vincek, bottom left: Luka Rener, bottom right: Kapele.
This article is part of an exciting partnership with the Association of Historical Towns of Slovenia, of which Ribnica andTržič is also a member. The partnership aims to bring you captivating stories from the historical towns nestled across Slovenia. As a regular feature of News from Slovenia, delivered to our valued subscribers, readers can expect to discover exciting stories from these timeless cities in the coming months. The contents and photos for this article were provided by the Association of Historical Towns of Slovenia and The Municipalities of Tržič and Ribnica.
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