Shall we begin the journey to Skofja Loka?

The way to Skofja Loka.

Slovenia is divided into more regions. Every one of them has its own specialties and interesting things to see. So, I have written from Ljubljana and its surroundings in the last articles. In this part I will write of Upper Carniola.

The area is dominated by the sharp ridge of Lubnik (a 1025 hill), whose western slope falls steeply almost 700 meters lower to Selščica, while its southern slope descends somewhat more gently to Poljanščica. To the east its slopes pass into rolling hilltops – Krancelj (475) and descend along the terrace below it to the confluence of the two Sora Rivers. On the gravel deposit between the two rivers and along the terrace above it lays the old town core of Škofja Loka. A large castle stands on a step incline rising directly above the town. The town was established in 973 by the Freising Bishops. The town was reconstructed after the earthquake of 1511, and its appearance has remained unchanged ever since. The town has the most well-preserved old town core and castle in Slovenia.

Worth visiting are the town museum in the castle and the old town granary, which has been transformed into an art gallery. The Freising Bishops ruled the town for 830 years, until their estate was nationalized by the Austrian Emperor.

Now that you know where the town is situated and you know what to visit there, we expect you will go there immediately, will you not?

From Skofja Loka to Upper Carniola