Beekeeping in Slovenia inspires India’s National Geographic

The beekeeping tradition in Slovenia originates from the 16th century. The homeland of the modern beekeeping pioneer, Anton Janša (1734-1773) from Žirovnica, and the indigenous Carniola bee, the second most widespread bee species on the planet, thrilled journalists at National Geographic India. During their visit to green, active and healthy Slovenia, the rich beekeeping heritage, presented in the Beekeeping museum in Radovljica and by the painted beehive panels, impressed them the most. Try local delicacies made from honey: more than 10 different types of honey (fir, spruce, linden, maple, wild cherry, and even dandelion) and honey chocolates, liqueurs and other sweet specialties.

Beekeeping is an important part of Slovenian culture and is one of the oldest and most traditional rural activities. Bees are extremely important for people’s lives as they carry out pollination and positively affect entire ecosystems. During spring Slovenia is covered with colourful meadows, full of wild flowers, which people preserve for the bees’ work to be undisturbed.

The extensive beekeeping heritage is presented by 15 “honey routes” around Slovenia, where people can learn about gathering honey, the healing qualities of honey, and even experience “apitherapy”, which uses honeybee products such as honey, pollen, bee bread, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom.

Slovenian apiaries are like open-air galleries with wooden beehives and painted beehive panels, a special feature of Slovenian beekeeping that has gained international recognition – something not known anywhere else in the world!

Discover the mysterious world of the Carniolan honey bee and become acquainted with the history of beekeeping at the Museum of Apiculture in the picturesque town of Radovljica. Once there make a stop at Gostilna Lectar, where the traditional Slovenian gingerbread (lect) hearts are made at the in-house gingerbread workshop in their live museum.

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