The Upper Savinja River Valley

In the colourful mosaic of Slovene landscapes, the Upper Savinja River Valley can be described as an area marked by various panoramas of alpine peaks over 2000-meters high. The densely forested lower mountains ranges and the mysterious river valleys, basins, and ravines are also part of this spectacular alpine world.

The valley was named after the Savinja River which flows through the eastern part of the Kamnik and Savinja Alps.

The Savinja springs from the heart of the alpine mountains and after some ten meters drops over the hundred-meter Rinka waterfall and flows into Logarska dolina, one of Europe’s most romantic alpine valleys. Due to its unspoiled nature and numerous natural and cultural sights, this seven kilometer long and in places five hundred meter wide glacial valley has been designated a natural reserve. In addition to Logarska dolina, there are two other natural reserves in the Upper Savinja River Valley: Robanov kot and Golte. Beautiful scenery and numerous other features including geographical, geological, hydrological, and dendrological natural curiosities make this area well worth a visit.

Some of the most interesting sites are the waterfall at Palenk, the Brlozniki Falls, the “Bucket” (a snowy, crater-like cauldron) in Matkov kot, and the Slocava yew-tree, the largest yew in Slovenia. The rocky obelisk named “Igla” (Needle) is a natural masterpiece, as is the intermittent stream at Luce. The Lucka Bela pothole and the Snezna cave beneath Mount Raduha are cave treasures.

Nature here provides shelter for numerous species of animals. One can spot chamois, moufflon, marmots, mountain rabbits, foxes, martens, ermine, wild boar, and many other species. Among the innumerable birds we should mention at least the Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). The region is also rich with indigenous alpine plants that are quite spectacular.

However, visitors are not drawn here just by the beauties of nature. In the long centuries of his settlement in this region, man has left behind a rich cultural heritage. The paleontological finds at Potocka Zijalka below Mount Olseva is of great importance for the whole European area. The renowned Slovene paleontologist Srecko Brodar, discovered several objects made by primitive man and the bones of a cave-bear from 35,000 B.C. Remains from the Early Iron Age were found here as well, along with several items reaching back to the Roman period.

Our richest cultural heritage is preserved in the form of numerous religious objects. The most outstanding is the Cathedral of St. Mohor and Fortunat in Gornji Grad, the largest in Slovenia. It acquired its present form in the 18th century. Other interesting architectural sites include the church in Solcava dedicated to The Immaculate Virgin of the Snows, the church of St. Francis Xavier in Radmirje, and the Church of the Holy Mother in Nazarje attached to a magnificent Franciscan monastery. One should also visit Vrbovec Castle in Nazarje, the collection of mass vestments and monstrances in Radmirje, and the Sv. Jurij parish church in Mozirje.

Our cultural heritage has not only been enriched by religious buildings. Well worth seeing are the Jamnik Farm at Jame, the ethnological collection in Gornji Grad, and the Savinjski Gaj botanical gardens in Mozirje.

The diverse and vivid landscape of the Upper Savinja River Valley is made for recreation. Lovers of hiking, climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, caving, and downhill and cross-country skiing come to Logarska dolina and the Recreation Center in Golte.

Gornji Grad

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Luce

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Nazarje

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The collection of mass vestments in Radmirje

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Savinjski Gaj in Mozirje

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Logarska dolina Valley

Covering an area of more than 500 square kilometers, the Upper Savinja River Valley is administratively divided into five municipalities (Luce, Ljubno, Nazarje, Mozirje, and Gornji Grad). Besides these municipal centers, there are several larger settlements in this region: Solcava, Recica ob Savinji, Bocna, and Smartno ob Dreti. All place their stamp on the Upper Savinja River Valley by maintaining old customs and traditions that are presented during various tourist events. In Ljubno, we can see the customs of river logging during the Flosarski bal festival and enjoy Luce Day in Luce, the Bee Festival in Gornji Grad, the Peasant Games in Recica, the Shepherds’ Festival in Smihel nad Mozirjem, and the international flower exhibitions at the Savinjski Gaj botanical gardens in Mozirje every May and September.

The Upper Savinja River Valley is a region that has managed to retain its essential character despite historical and social changes, developing and evolving in harmony with nature. This has resulted in an ever increasing number of tourists and visitors that return year after year to enjoy the Upper Savinja River Valley.