RADENSKO POLJE
RADENSKO POLJE lies in the middle of the Lower Carnolia karst region three kilometres southeast of Grosuplje. Radensko polje has four square kilometres, it is natural park and includes all the typical karst phenomena: springs, caves, sinkholes, estavelles, periodic lake … The waters disappearing in Radensko polje come back to the surface eight kilometres far in the springs of the beautiful Krka river. During the year Radensko polje changes its image several times and in the time of heavy rainfalls, Radensko polje turns into a large lake. The flora and fauna of Radensko polje are very rich, varied and because of its irreplaceable habitats and endangered species, the Radensko polje is a part of the European Ecological network Natura 2000.
MAYOR’S CAVE
MAYOR’S CAVE is situated 8 km south of Grosuplje and 7 km from Turjak castle, it is a karst jewel of Dolenjska region. The cave is 360 m long and 77 m deep, it was discovered in 1926 by the mayor of Šentjurij, Josip Perme. It is composed of seven beautiful halls with magnificent flowstone structures, electric lights are in the entire cave. You can meet all main phenomena of the underground karst and it is also a habitat of underground animals as beetles, snails, crickets, spiders, bats … A guided tour takes about an hour.
TABOR ABOVE CEROVO
TAOBOR ABOVE CEROVO is in the direct vicinity of the Mayor’s Cave. The anti-Turkish fortification was built at the end of the 15th century. The local farmers built the walls around the little church of St. Nicholas in order to protect themselves against the Turkish invasions of the Slovene territory. Tabor above Cerovo is one of the few anti-Turkish fortifications that have been preserved until today. The church of St. Nicholas was built on the remains of a prehistoric settlement. It was first mentioned in 1526, but it was already built in the 13th century. The interior of the little church is adorned with frescoes from 16th century. After the adaptation and renovation in 1999, Tabor became one of the most important cultural historic monuments in Slovenia.
MAGDALENE MOUNTAIN
MAGDALENE MOUNTAIN is a half-hour walk northwest from the town of Grosuplje and it is the most explored archaeological site in Slovenia. The area was a prehistoric human settlement with terraces and ramparts. There are still visible remains of a building site and mounds from the Iron Age, what provides us with an insight into the lifestyle of its ancient inhabitants in the Halstat peirod. The rich archaeological heritage (bronze situale, weapons, military equipment, brooches, jewellery …) was excavated from numerous graves.
FRUIT DRYING HOUSE GRADEŽ
Only 25 km from Ljubljana, situated in the hills of Turjak in the municipality of Velike Lašče, there is a village Gradež. Behind the village, there are fruit gardens full of apples, pears and plums. The villagers renovated their village fruit drying house and they are drying fruit from August to the late autumn. They gladly show the drying process and offer traditional fruit products: dried fruits, juice, brandy, traditional cakes “potica” and “Trubarjeva malica”. The people of Gradež use the fruit drying house for traditional fruit drying. The renovated drying house is also the centre of social life in village. Experience fruit drying in the old wood oven “live”!
You can see also a permanent exhibition about the history of Gradež, a collection of old equipment and tools, and the village centre. You can get to know traditional work and products, and other cultural heritage. In the village as Gradež, there the time stop and you can accept the heritage of our ancestors.
Slovenian composers Marij Kogoj and Jakob Jež lived in Gradež and Kogoj’s house is still standing.
LOG UNDER THE VILLAGE CEROVO
Log under the village Cerovo is situated near to Županova jama cave and Tabor Cerovo. Log represents with its arrangement a beautiful example of a well established relationship between a modern human and nature which has to be preserved. Near the ponds, ornithological – botanical circular educational trail “On the trail of the Kingfisher” is arranged. Alongside this trail, the bird observatories are placed. There, it is possible to observe birds peacefully or only listen to wonderful sounds of nature. The hedge alongside the educational trail is planted by various species of shrubs. Above the orchard and the herbal garden where various honey plants thrive, there is a beehive. The environment like this represents shelter and food for many birds which live near the forest, in the meadow and near the water.
