Sticna Abbey - Kamnik - Skofja Loka - Loka Castle

Route: Ljubljana - Sticna Abbey - Kamnik - Skofja Loka - Loka Castle - Ljubljana
Duration: 7 h
Our first stop we will make at the Cistercian monastery (the only monastery in Slovenia still in operation), built in 1132, is located in the village of Stična. It is one of the most important sacral, cultural and historical monuments in Slovenia. Famous series of valuable illuminated medieval manuscripts called Stična Manuscripts (Stiški rokopisi), considered to be one of the first written texts in the Slovenian language, were written by Cistercian monks at Sticna abbey.  What is more, the oldest part of the monastery, which consists of a cloister, the central area of the Stična Abbey consisting of four passages forming a square around the garden in the middle, and a monastic church, has survived until today. The walled monastery which reflects architecture styles from early Romanesque and Gothic to Renaissance and Baroque, currently has 10 white monks and 3 abbots continuing centuries-old tradition in the Cistercian spirit of Ora et Labora. Next we will visit to Kamnik, a town embraced by the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, is considered one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Slovenia. Once a flourishing trading town, where the counts of Andechs from Bavaria had their seat counts of Andechs from Bavaria. At that time, Kamnik was the capital of Carniola. The first written sources about Kamnik go back to 1229. The two castles of Kamnik, Mali grad and Stari grad, were mentioned even earlier. The town boasts a rich Franciscan Library, where about 10,000 volumes of books printed before the end of the 18th century are kept. Šutna is the most beautiful street in the town, featuring typical signboards and other signs of the lively craft activities in the past. Take a stroll along the street and discover numerous attractions, including the birthplace of Rudolf Maister, the parish church of Mary Immaculate with a separate Gothic spire, the Sadnikar museum and the birthplaces of many other renowned inhabitants of Kamnik. The Samec pass marks the end of the Šutna Street. In the past, there was a natural slope, which divided Šutna from the medieval town, acting like a natural barrier. Next we will stop in the Skofja Loka because it offers a bit of everything: History, gorgeous architecture, nature and hiking, a castle and top-notch museum, and a food and wine scene that’s renowned in Slovenia. The first written records of Skofja Loka date to 1248, when it was a bustling market town. Historically, Skofja Loka was enclosed by stone walls and could only be entered by way of one of five gated towers. Not much evidence of the fortifications remains today, but Skofja Loka still retains its original city plan: An Upper Square, the Plac, is separated from a Lower Square, the Lontrg, with the Old Town’s narrow alleys neatly contained, and the hilltop castle standing guard from atop a nearby hill.  Skofja Loka and its surrounding estates were the property of the Bavarian Bishops of Freising for more than 900 years before the land was traded between Austria and Italy. Skofja Loka was inhabited by craftspeople and traders, who were organised into different guilds. The area is characterised by a fantastic blend of cultural influences and a legacy of craftsmanship, visible in everything from the cuisine to the architecture. Skofja Loka’s main tourist attractions include Loka Castle, its museum, and the historic Old Town. Considered one of the best-preserved medieval centres in Slovenia, Skofja Loka’s upper and lower squares were proclaimed a National Cultural Monument in 1987. The area is made up of churches and monasteries, school houses, and repurposed private residences connected by charming cobbled streets. The Capuchin Bridge, lovely semi-circular stone bridge, greets visitors as they cross the Sora river into town. Also you can visit to the Loka Castle which was built by the Freisings of Škofja Loka in 1202. The castle was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake in 1511 and Bishop Filip took on its restoration. In the castle courtyard there once stood an impressive four-cornered tower, the floorplan of which has been restored. Today the castle is home to one of the best-arranged museums in Slovenia, with archeological, historical, cultural, artistic, natural science and ethnological collections. Visitors can also see the excellently-preserved 16th century farmhouse, Škopar's House (Škoparjeva hiša) in the castle garden. After free time we return to Ljubljana.
Price: Per person