Ribnica Castle has stood at the centre of Ribnica since at least 1263. The Ribnica Museum, located in the castle, features permanent and changing craft exhibitions. The castle tower houses a permanent exhibition about the Ribnica witch trials. The castle thus brings together crafts and the history of the witch trials as distinct subject areas.
The Castle and Church Art
St Stephen’s Church in Ribnica also preserves a special work: an altarpiece of Saint Stephen, created by Ivan Grohar in 1901. The two bell towers are called “Ribnica crowns” and are considered Jože Plečnik’s final work. The painting and architecture thus offer different ways to explore Ribnica’s cultural attractions.
Crafts to See and Experience
In Hrovača is the Škrabec Homestead, birthplace of the Franciscan friar Stanislav Škrabec. Guided visits to the homestead can be arranged by appointment. At Bojc Pottery, you can see how clay is shaped on a potter’s wheel by prior arrangement. Craft workshops can also be arranged by appointment at the Ribnica Handicraft Centre.
The Miklova Hiša Gallery and Kojek Beekeeping offer further insights. The gallery houses a Ribnica art collection featuring works from the 1980s and 1990s. Kojek Beekeeping offers guided tastings of various types of honey and honey-based drinks. Art, craftsmanship and honey products thus cater to different interests.
The Valley and Its Heights
The Ribnica Valley is bounded by Mala gora to the east and Velika gora to the west. On the Mala gora ridge stands St Anne’s Church, a 16th-century building at an elevation of 920 metres. At 1,254 metres above sea level, Turn is the highest peak of Velika gora. A distinctive natural landmark is Bele stene: the limestone cliff is almost 60 metres high and is designated a natural monument.
The source of the Ribnica River can also be reached via a family-friendly forest trail. Grmada, at 887 metres, lies above the village of Vrh pri Poljanah and is a popular hiking destination. The route there follows the Trail to Grmada. A mountain hut, open at weekends, is located a few metres below the summit. These heights and natural landmarks give you different points of reference when deciding how to balance your interests in landscapes, churches and hiking destinations.
Carnival, Cycling and Fishing Waters
The traditional Veliki pustni karneval is held annually in Ribnica. The international masquerade event attracts thousands of visitors from across Slovenia; dates vary from year to year. Check the date of the relevant edition if you want to plan your trip around the event.
The Ricikel bicycle-sharing system is available around the clock in the Municipality of Ribnica. Eight conventional bicycles are located outside the Community Health Centre (Zdravstveni dom) and the Cooperative Hall building (Zadružni dom) in Ribnica. Check availability before your trip. For fishing enthusiasts, the Ribnica Fishing Club manages six fishing waters in the Ribnica area.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Ribnica, Glažuta, Rigelj Pri Ortneku, Hrib-Loški Potok, Retje, Sodražica, Draga, Blate.
Return to the main travel overview: Slovenia.
