Center Rinka became the heart of the Solčavsko Region

In 2009, EDEN focused on tourism in protected areas. The Solčavsko Region as the winner was no surprise since this area has represented an example of good practice for a long time, especially with its deliberate sustainable development; one of its most recognisable natural postcards from Slovenia was the image of the Logarska Valley. The destination continues its development path, while the new heart and generator of new features was established last spring, with the opening of the multi-purpose centre for sustainable development – the Center Rinka.

Interesting events that maintain the spirit of the co-natural character of this region of three valleys, as the Solčavsko Region is sometimes referred to, give an important pulse to this destination.

In May, the Mountain Wood Festival was organised, where wood manufacturers presented various decorational and practical products; furthermore, the purpose of the festival was to promote the development and use of quality wooden local products, made from the mountain wood of the Solčavsko Region.

In the last weekend of July, the Solčavsko Region will host the traditional ethnographic event – Solčavsko Days, where, with the support of the entertainment and music programme, domestic culinary specialties will be tasted and local products presented, including local medicinal plants and autochthonous animals. In mid-August, Solčava will host a meeting of zitherists, including an interesting concert of the zither virtuoso Michal Müller and Slovenian zither players.

Between 21 and 23 September, Solčavsko will host the Lambswool Festival `Bicka`. Sheep farmers will present autochthonous Slovenian breeds of sheeps, wool manufacturing workshops will be organised, and the event will be expanded by a fashion show of woolen products, meetings of professionals and entertainment events.

Furthermore, the Potočka zijalka cave on Mount Olševa is one of the most important Palaeolithic sites in Europe. Hunter-gatherers left their products and traces in this mountain cave about thirty thousand years ago. In the years between 1928 and 1935, Srečko Brodar discovered the oldest needle in the world, over 130 points made of bone, a flute made out of the jawbone of a cave bear and numerous stone tools. In July, new archaeological research will be carried out in Potočka zijalka, which will be also interesting for the visitors of the Solčavsko region. Seminars about Potočka zijalka, presentations of the research and workshops will be conducted in the Center Rinka in Solčava and out on the terrain.

Moreover, the Solčavsko Region also gained something else. Before the Logarska Valley, by the Firšt museum and inn, the very interesting Fidov gaj was opened in June; it includes ethnographic objects and paths that lead through the stories that happened 100 years ago. All paths lead to the underground cave – `Fidova zijalka` cave, where an unusual man lived for ten years, a local healer and scholar, Vid Strgar – Fida.



About Solčavsko (THREE VALLEYS IN HARMONY):

The Solčavsko Region is a region of three valleys under the peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and Karavanke. The LOGARSKA VALLEY Landscape Park is one of the most beautiful Alpine valleys in all of Europe; ROBANOV KOT is the valley of large preserved mountain farms, while MATKOV KOT, the least known of all three valleys, surprises visitors with its special features. The Solčavsko panoramic road leads to the Holy Spirit church, the starting point of the path to POTOČKA ZIJALKA under Olševa. Hunters from the ice age lived here more than 30 thousand years ago!

The extensive Natura 2000 area shows the extreme nature preservation that arouses admiration and respect and invites discoveries and indulgence. During the summer, these valleys are a starting point for mountain trails, hikes and mountain cycling, while in winter they provide terrain for skiing, cross-country skiing and sleighing. In the land of mighty homesteads, venerable trees and waterfalls, it is possible to experience ancient stories and indulge oneself with typical treats of the region.

To see the promotional film, click here.

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