Novo mesto, a important center of Lower Carniola

Novo mesto was founded in 1365 by Rudolf II of Habsburg, who named it Rudolf wert. Its present name dates from the early 15th century.

The town is set on a rock prominence with the Krka River carving around it. The houses of the old town are arranged around a rectangular town square. The town was protected by massive walls and many defense towers.

The Krka River was the best means of protection for the town, which despite numerous sieges was never conquered by the Turks. In this period the town reached the peak of its flourishing. In 1579 the Austrians built the Croatian town of Karlovac and moved their army and offices there. The town became the seat of the district administration, but its importance nevertheless declined considerably.

The Franciscans settled in the town in 1492 and opened a grammar school in 1746. Worth visiting is the Dolenjska Museum, whose collections are exhibited in a prominent old building, named Križantija. The town boats many more interesting old buildings and other attractions.

The railway reached this area in 1893. Present-day the town has developed into an important industrial and cultural center of the Dolenjska region. The town has expanded to the opposite bank of the Krka River.

A sports airfield is located on the plain between the town and Straža. Extending northward and westward is countryside of green, rolling hills with gentle, well-cultivated valleys and slopes. The entire region is densely settled.

Uf, there is a lot to see in this area. Hope seeing you there soon...

From Novo mesto back to Lower Carniola