Ravne Na Koroškem reveals itself through a range of discoveries: the medieval street and plot layout has been preserved in the historic town center, while Uršlja gora offers views across four valleys. There are also sculptures in public spaces, exhibitions on the history of the Meža Valley, and trails through the surrounding landscape.
From the historic town center to Uršlja gora
The medieval plot and street layout has been fully preserved in the center of Ravne. Right next to it is an open space by the Meža River. This combination of historic urban structure and an open riverside square gives the town a different character from the mountain landscape of Uršlja gora: the summit is 1,699 meters high and offers views of the Meža, Mislinja, Šaleška and Drava valleys. At the top stands the Church of St. Ursula, considered the highest church in Slovenia.
Those who want to hike up can take the easiest trail from Naravske ledine. It takes about two hours and follows the north side of the mountain, with a moderate ascent of 620 meters. Another option is the Vorančeva pot: its shorter route takes about three hours and starts in the center of Kotlje. The approximate walking times and starting points refer to different trails and help you estimate how long the hikes will take.
Sculptures, the castle and the history of steel
The Forma Viva collection is a distinctive trace of art in the Meža Valley. It grew out of nine sculpture symposia involving 37 international artists. A total of 36 sculptures were installed in Ravne and three other towns in the Meža Valley. An exhibition at Ravne Castle is dedicated to the creation of this collection; it has been on view in the museum exhibition space since November 30, 2016.
The castle stands on a gravel terrace above the town center. It is about five hundred years old and, following its last renovation in the 19th century, has a Neo-Baroque appearance. The castle chapel also houses a permanent exhibition with a lapidarium of Roman stone monuments from the archaeological site of Zagrad near Prevalje and individual stones from the municipality of Ravne na Koroškem. Check the opening arrangements before visiting.
Other exhibitions explore different periods and themes from the region. Štorije iz naše doline portrays rural everyday life in the Meža Valley from the mid-18th to the mid-20th century. Sijaj jekla explores the valley’s four-hundred-year tradition of steelmaking and presents metallurgical processes, facilities and steel products. Guštanj za jutrno spans a period from prehistory to the Counter-Reformation.
Trails, forests and special places
The routes also offer different perspectives on the area. Cesta mošta runs entirely along local forest roads and mostly through the shade of the woods; it is particularly suitable for mountain bikers and hikers. Pot po Tolstem vrhu is suitable for hikers and cyclists looking for a challenging route. Near Kotlje, the shorter variant of Vorančeva pot once again leads from a town center out into the countryside.
Another natural attraction is Cestnikov slap, near Tolsti Vrh in the Meža Valley. The waterfall is 26 meters high and cascades into the yard of the Cesnik homestead. More than 70 species of day-flying butterflies have been recorded to date in the valley of Črni potok near Kotlje. Those interested in rural cultural heritage will find many preserved wooden granaries in Strojnska Reka. They were traditionally used to store grain, flour, meat and must.
Kravperška kašča adds to this picture: the wooden granary, which has a cellar, has two floors and dates from the 19th century. In 2010, it was moved to the edge of the courtyard at Prežihova bajta on Preški Vrh. The building illustrates how historic granaries differ in their construction from exhibitions on industry and art.
Experiences and local culture
A reservation is required to visit the Wild Park. The experience includes a UTV ride for up to five people to see the animals, observing ibex and chamois in their enclosures, and meeting alpacas, which visitors can feed and photograph. Zebras can also be viewed up close. As the offering may change, it is advisable to check the current visiting conditions in advance.
The Poseka ski resort has artificial snowmaking and lighting. At the Kulturni center Ravne na Koroškem, the subscription program ranges from theater and music to puppet theater and children’s programs, as well as Koroška Theatre and Jazz Ravne; individual seasons and performances vary. For a taste of the region’s cuisine, Picikl Košta is a circular bike route through Ravne Na Koroškem and its surroundings. Along the way, you can discover traditional Koroška dishes prepared by eateries using local, fresh and high-quality ingredients.
Discover more destinations: Ravne Na Koroškem, Mežica, Črna Na Koroškem, Nova Gorica, Russe, Murska Sobota, Cerknica, Tolmin.
For the main travel overview: Slovenia.
