Numerous archaeological discoveries and valuable artefacts from prehistoric times reveal that present-day Slovenia has been inhabited for thousands of years. Among these finds are treasures that hold the title of the oldest in the world. The oldest musical instrument, a sewing needle, a wooden wheel with an axle—these rare artefacts, which have had a profound influence on modern human development, can be found only in Slovenia. It is also home to the oldest living grapevine in the world. These ancient treasures continue to inspire new generations.
NEANDERTHAL FLUTE: THE WORLD'S OLDEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
At the Divje Babe archaeological site near Cerkno, a 60,000-year-old flute was discovered—an object of global significance. Carved from the bone of a young cave bear, this Neanderthal flute is believed to be the oldest musical instrument ever found. You can view it at the National Museum of Slovenia, and delve into the life of its ancient makers through a virtual tour of the Divje Babe cave. Join a guided walk along the mysterious Neanderthal trailsand learn about life in and around the cave, both past and present.
This ancient flute has also served as inspiration for modern artists like Slovenian multi-instrumentalist Boštjan Gombač and Slovenian-Macedonian trumpeter Ljuben Dimkaroski, who have played a replica of the flute.
It has even inspired festivals in Cerkno, such as the long-running Jazz Cerkno festival and the Deuje Babe Festival of alternative art and women's activism, which comes alive every year on 8th March, International Women's Day.
Around 5,000 years ago, the first settlers of the Ljubljana Marshes—known as pile dwellers—built their homes on stilts. Their legacy, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes one of the most remarkable finds from this area: a wooden wheel with an axle, about 5,200 years old, making it the oldest of its kind in the world.
Morostig—Explore the Legacy of the Pile Dwellers
Travel back more than 5,000 years and step into the world of the pile dwellers in the Ljubljana Marshes. At Morostig House, discover the UNESCO-listed settlements, explore the rich biodiversity of the area, and walk a themed trail that leads to a reconstructed hut village and a log boat.
Travel back more than 5,000 years and step into the world of the pile dwellers in the Ljubljana Marshes. At Morostig House, discover the UNESCO-listed settlements, explore the rich biodiversity of the area, and walk a themed trail that leads to a reconstructed hut village and a log boat.
The wooden wheel, originally part of a single-axle two-wheeled cart pulled by animals, helped cover great distances. Today, cycling is a preferred way to explore the Ljubljana Marshes. You can enjoy numerous cycling routes in the area.
Cycling in Ljubljana
Rent a bike from the BicikeLJ system—pick up your bike from various points around the city, install the app, follow the instructions and explore the city. Start your journey at the Ljubljana City Museum, where you can see the famous wheel
Discovered nearly 100 years ago in the Potočka zijavkacave at an altitude of 1,675 metres on the slopes of Olševa in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, this 35,000-year-old sewing needle is a fascinating artefact. For a long time, it was considered the oldest sewing needle in the world. It was once used to sew leather and even embroider hunting nets. You can view this ancient tool, along with cave bear remains and skeletons of Cro-Magnon hunters, at the Celje Regional Museum.
Today, the craft of sewing lives on in Solčava, where women and girls use traditional techniques to create woollen slippers, cardigans, socks, and other items made from the wool of the local Jezersko-Solčava sheep.
Modern fashion designers in Slovenia also carry on the tradition, with many boutiques in Ljubljana offering handmade clothing and accessories.
For those who want to try their hand at sewing, the Textile Lab at Center Rogoffers creative workshopswhere you can create your own fabric masterpiece.
THE OLDEST VINE: QUEEN OF ALL VINES
The oldest vine in the world has been growing on the facade of the House of the Oldest Grapevine in the central part of Maribor's Old Town in the Lent area for over 450 years. It holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records and has withstood Turkish invasions, fires, vine aphids and the bombing of the city. The fact that it has its own museum, festivals and even its own anthem proves that it is a true "lady of the vine"! The ancient žametovka—an old native Slovenian red wine variety—unites the city's inhabitants and visitors at festivals, tastings and various events. Offspring of this vine can be found all across Slovenia and around the world.
The house of the Oldest Grapevine is currently closed due to renovation. During this time, the POP-UP of the House is open in the Minoriti Cultural Quarter.
Inspiring Stories of Slovenia's Oldest Treasures
Slovenia's cultural treasures are rich with history. Explore other archaeological gems that reveal how this land has been inhabited since prehistoric times.
Škofja Loka Passion Play: Europe's Oldest Dramatic Text
In 1721, Capuchin friar Romuald Marušič wrote the Škofja Loka Passion Play, a historic text that includes detailed director's notes, making it the oldest surviving dramatic script in Europe. It is a priceless treasure and has been inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The play is still performed every six years in the streets and squares of Škofja Loka, brought to life by more than a thousand volunteers. The next performance will take place in 2027—an event truly worth experiencing.
If you have a spirit of adventure, set off on a journey through Slovenia's museums, where you can discover hidden treasures from not only Slovenian but also European and world heritage. Experience the past up close.
On the trail of archaeological heritage
Prehistoric settlements, Roman camps, medieval fortifications – they all testify to the fact that people have inhabited or at least crossed Slovenian territory since prehistoric times. Our archaeological collection also contains some exceptional finds, even on a global scale. Awaken your spirit of exploration and follow the traces of the past!
Prehistoric settlements, Roman camps, medieval fortifications – they all testify to the fact that people have inhabited or at least crossed Slovenian territory since prehistoric times. Our archaeological collection also contains some exceptional finds, even on a global scale. Awaken your spirit of exploration and follow the traces of the past!
Every museum has its own secrets, its own treasures and its own "stars". These are the artefacts that attract the most attention because of their uniqueness. The museums of Slovenia's historic towns and cities also contain priceless treasures of historical and cultural heritage, among which are objects or curiosities that are particularly worth a stop.
Slovenia is rich in gems of natural and cultural heritage. Some of these constitute an important piece in the mosaic of world heritage and are under the auspices of UNESCO. Two natural and three cultural sites were inscribed on the list of world natural and cultural heritage. Furthermore, there are seven special features on the list of intangible cultural heritage.
Museums are fun. If the usual tired objects and stale facts are not doing it for you any more, you’ll be sure to change your mind when you visit one of Slovenia’s special museums.
Slovenia is a diverse country, as are its greatest natural and cultural treasures. Also discover other beautiful sights sand interesting features of this green country.
Galleries and museums
Museums and galleries in Slovenia – a treasure trove of art from prehistoric times until today.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive a green piece of Slovenia in your inbox, and learn about holidays, seasonal offers, upcoming events and travel options.
The form contains errors
Please verify the marked fields and try again.
Share with friends
Scroll down until you see the heart icon on the left.
Click on the icon and the content will be added to favourites.
When you revisit the page (in the same browser), the content will still be saved in your favourites.
The General Terms and Conditions determine the conditions and manner of using the Slovenian Tourist Board’s Media Library services. In the Media Library, users have at their disposal high-resolution photos and audio-visual recordings of the products and services offered by Slovenian tourism, which are to be used solely for non-commercial purposes as defined below.
General rules of application
Registration is required to use the Media Library’s services. Registration is available to any legal entity in the Republic of Slovenia and abroad, regardless of their legal form, whose activities involve marketing, promoting and presenting Slovenia as a tourist destination.
Photos and audio-visual recordings (hereafter: materials) may be used free of charge for all non-commercial publications that constitute promotion of Slovenia as a tourist destination, abroad or in the Republic of Slovenia, in accordance with these General Terms and Conditions.
The right to use the materials is not limited in terms of time or place (the use is permitted in Slovenia and other countries) unless a restriction relating to location and duration of use is specifically provided for an individual item of material.
The Slovenian Tourist Board reserves the right to revoke a user’s right to use certain materials at any time.
The rights acquired based on these General Terms and Conditions may not be transferred to third parties.
Citing the source and authorship
Photos and audio-visual recordings may only be used with consistent citation of author/co-authors and source: www.slovenia.info.
Rights of use
A registered user of the Media Library shall obtain the following non-exclusive economic rights to use the downloaded photos and audio-visual recordings:
the right of reproduction and distribution,
the right of making available to the public,
the right of public presentation,
the right of including photos in other copyright work.
The above rights refer to all forms of non-commercial and free-of-charge online posts, print media, audio-visual media services and other communication channels, regardless of the type of media (print, digital), which includes:
Digital catalogues, e-magazines, newsletters (solely for the purposes of free distribution);
Publication in print and other media that report on the Slovenian tourism products and services or promote Slovenia as a tourist destination;
Use on social media as part of organic posts (reporting on an event, press releases (solely unpaid posts);
Printed promotional materials, prospectuses, leaflets, brochures (solely for the purposes of free distribution);
Promotional events in the Republic of Slovenia and abroad (e.g., tourism fairs, exchanges, workshops, presentations, etc.) that are exclusively or predominantly intended to promote Slovenia as a tourist destination.
The above forms of use include solely a free-of-charge form of using materials for the purposes of promoting tourism activities and services in the Republic of Slovenia or presenting Slovenia as a tourist destination.
Prohibited forms of using materials/commercial use of materials
Using materials for commercial purposes, such as reproduction on postcards, T-shirts, books, magnets, embedding audio-visual inserts in one’s own promotional materials, all forms of external advertising (stationary billboards, digital advertising, etc.), use in advertisements unrelated to the promotion of Slovenia as a tourist destination, use on websites that are not intended to present Slovenian tourism products and services and similar activities, is not included in these General Terms and Conditions and is prohibited.
It is strictly prohibited to use materials on media and distribution channels that are marketed or sold to users (books, school textbooks, other commercial publishing, calendars, postcards, fast-moving consumer goods (clothes and other products), advertising of non-tourism products and services, reproduction of materials on vehicles, etc.).
Using audio-visual materials is allowed only in the unchanged form available in the Media Library. Transformations, adaptations, clips, embeddings, and instances of using individual shots in one’s own audio-visual works, even if intended for promotional purposes, is prohibited.
Breaches of General Terms and Conditions
Any breach of economic and/or moral rights of the authors of photographs or audio-visual recordings may constitute a criminal offence and may result in substantive and damage liability of the user.
The entity breaching copyright pertaining to the material shall reimburse the Slovenian Tourist Board for all the damage incurred to it due to the breach of rights.
The Slovenian Tourist Board shall not be liable for any use of photos and video recordings that is contrary to these rules. The user of the material shall be entirely responsible for the content and manner of use.
General provisions
These Media Library General Terms and Conditions shall apply for all instances of using the material unless the Slovenian Tourist Board and user agree on special terms of using the material in advance and in writing for a specific instance of using the material.
These General Terms and Conditions shall be subject to occasional amendments. Upon the user’s publication of the material, the version of the General Terms and Conditions that is current at that particular time shall apply for the use of materials. If the user disagrees with the amendments made to these General Terms and Conditions, they shall immediately cease using the material and remove it from all media and other communication channels.
Alma is a ChatGPT-based virtual travel guide designed to help you find information and inspiration for your next visit to Slovenia. She is full of ideas for great experiences, knows Slovenian destinations and the variety of activities you are particularly interested in, so she can offer you personalised content and inspiring stories available on the official slovenia.info tourism portal.
Our virtual advisor was inspired by the intrepid world traveller Alma M. Karlin; therefore, we named her ALMA.
For an optimal experience, we suggest talking to Alma as a real interlocutor, mentioning the destination you are interested in, the activities you want to experience and when you want to visit Slovenia.
All information provided by Alma is for information purposes only and may contain limitations and errors.
The solution is based on ChatGPT technology, which is owned by OpenAI, and programming upgrades from our partner, Creatim d.o.o.. The content of conversations is retained for 30 days. Access to the content of conversations is limited to authorised persons of the Slovenian Tourist Board and the company Creatim d.o.o., who may process this content solely for the purpose of user support, optimisation, statistical analysis and further development of the Alma service. For the purpose of formulating Alma`s responses, user queries are forwarded to OpenAI servers located outside the EU. The data are encrypted before transmission and when saved to OpenAI servers. OpenAI guarantees compliance with GDPR standards and global best practices in data protection when processing data. Please do not enter your personal information (name, surname, email, phone number, etc.) in the chat window.
Have you met Alma?
Alma is a ChatGPT-based virtual travel guide to help you find information and inspiration for your next visit to Slovenia.
You may ask her anything you want to know about destinations in Slovenia.
I give my consent to the Slovenian Tourist Board to use cookies that enable the display of content (e.g.: audio clips, video clips, images) from other online sources (YouTube, Spotify, etc.) and remember my language selection on the www.slovenia.info website. I also confirm that I have been acquainted with my rights related to the provided personal data.
Personal data controller:
Slovenian Tourist Board, Dimičeva ulica 13, Ljubljana
Phone: +386 1 5898 550
Email: info@slovenia.info
I give permission for the Slovenian Tourist Board to record and store anonymised data about my activity on the website, which will be used to provide a better user experience for visitors to the portal in the future. I also confirm that I have been acquainted with my rights related to the provided personal data.
Personal data controller:
Slovenian Tourist Board, Dimičeva ulica 13, Ljubljana,
Phone: +386 1 5898 550
E-mail: info@slovenia.info
I give permission for the Slovenian Tourist Board to record my activities on the website regarding my visits to individual types of content in order to produce and display better quality content that is of interest to me.
As the Slovenian Tourist Board strives to display high-quality and interesting content on the website, it wishes to measure responses to the displayed notifications and content, track user activity on the website, and create user profiles for targeted advertising, and therefore automatically processes and analyses personal data and assesses user interest in displaying and receiving notifications. I also confirm that I have been acquainted with my rights related to the provided personal data.
Personal data controller:
Slovenian Tourist Board, Dimičeva ulica 13, Ljubljana
Phone: +386 1 5898 550
Email: info@slovenia.info
I give permission for the Slovenian Tourist Board to record and store information about my interests, displays, and clicks on advertising content for the purpose of providing specific, topical, high-quality, and targeted advertising content, as well as for the purpose of measuring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and limiting the repetition of advertisements. These settings apply to advertisements displayed by the Slovenian Tourist Board via advertising on social media platforms (e.g.: Meta, LinkedIn, etc.), international search engines (e.g.: Google), as well as through online applications and activities that directly address the user. Such cookies allow us to track our campaigns online. I also confirm that I have been acquainted with myrights related to the provided personal data.
Personal data controller:
Slovenian Tourist Board, Dimičeva ulica 13, Ljubljana
Phone: +386 1 5898 550
Email: info@slovenia.info