Castles, churches, wine and paths through the countryside give Raka a range of distinctive attractions. The castle brings together medieval history and interiors from later centuries; the Church of St Lawrence tells the story of Baroque architecture and a transferred organ case. The Raka Wine Trail, meanwhile, winds through wine-growing hills and is geared towards tastings. As you plan your trip, you can choose between architectural history, regional food and wine culture, crafts and countryside.
The Castle and Late Baroque Church Architecture
The Late Baroque Church of St Lawrence was built between 1799 and 1804 on the site of an earlier church. Its architecture is distinguished by two bell towers and a richly articulated façade. Inside is a valuable Baroque organ case, transferred from the former monastery church in Kostanjevica na Krki. Its provenance adds the history of a furnishing element to the story of the church.
Raka Castle also offers several layers of history. It is considered one of Slovenia’s oldest medieval castles. Visitors can see 34 rooms, all of which have authentic interiors dating from the 17th to the 19th century. The focus is therefore not only on the castle as a medieval building, but also on rooms and furnishings from later centuries.
Wine, Tastings and Pottery
The Raka Wine Trail winds through the wine-growing hills around Raka and starts at Cvičkov hram, described as the first embassy of Cviček. The route is geared towards tasting local specialities from Raka and Cviček wine. It also includes a visit to the Žibert wine cellar in Jelenk. Tastings may require advance contact; also check whether individual cellars are open before visiting.
A specific taste of local flavours can be found at Cvičkov hram Vineyard Cottage in Raka: visitors are served Cviček with bacon and the indigenous onion variety raška č’bula. This offers a distinct way to discover the regional products mentioned here, alongside the tastings along the route.
The cultural offering also includes Kržan Farm, which is associated with a long tradition of making ceramic objects. Visitors can try working at the potter’s wheel there. This means that, alongside historic buildings and wine, Raka also offers a hands-on introduction to local pottery.
Trails and Views
The Cavsar viewpoint was completed in 2024 and offers sweeping views of the area around Raka. The Cavsar Trail is another named option for walkers: it runs between historic memorials and was also completed in 2024. The viewpoint and trail appeal to different interests—taking in the surrounding landscape and walking among the memorials.
The Ladybird Learning Trail starts and ends at the square by the Church of St Lawrence. Along the way, it passes a pillory beside the path to Raka Castle and continues to a chapel on Vinji vrh. From the chapel, the view stretches across the entire Krško Basin, the Gorjanci Hills and the Kočevski rog mountain range. As trail conditions can change seasonally, check them before setting out.
Planning Your Visit
Raka Castle is open year-round to larger groups who book in advance. Tours are available in Slovenian, Croatian and English. If you would like a guided tour of Raka and its attractions, the local tourist association can arrange one; confirm the arrangements before your trip. It is also a good idea to make contact in advance about visits and tastings along the Wine Trail, as some cellar visits may require prior arrangements.
You can choose from several distinct themes for your trip: the architectural and furnishing history of the church and castle, wine and regional specialities, pottery, or trails with views and historic memorials. Choose which of these aspects of Raka you would like to make the focus of your stay.
Discover more destinations: Krško, Brestanica, Velika Vas pri Krškem, Armeško, Kostanjevica Na Krki.
Return to the main travel guide: Krško.
