Tržič is best discovered through its handicrafts: the old town is fully protected as a cultural monument, and trails lead to places associated with shoemaking. This raises a practical question as you plan your trip: should you focus on the old town and museums, or would you also like to include a hike and nature destinations? The places and walking times below provide guidance for different interests and time budgets.
Old Town, Workshops and Museums
The Tržič Museum is housed in Pollak’s former dye works and tannery, in the old blacksmithing and crafts district. Preserved water channels lie nearby. Fužina Germovka is also part of the town’s craft history: it is considered the best-preserved blacksmith’s workshop in Tržič. At the museum, the exhibition “Tržiški šuštarji” offers another perspective on local crafts. It is described as the largest shoemaking collection in Slovenia.
The Slovenian Ski Museum is a department of the Tržič Museum, located in the Pollak House. Its exhibition traces skiing from its prehistoric beginnings as a means of transport to modern ski champions. Tržič therefore brings together different subjects: shoemaking and other traditional trades on the one hand, and the development of skiing on the other. Traditional crafts included ironworking, wheelwrighting, and textile and leather processing; shoemaking was particularly significant.
The Kurnik House combines rural and small-town architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries and the first half of the 20th century. Its features include a masonry ground floor, a wooden upper floor, a shingle roof, a black kitchen and drying vents in the roof. Anyone interested in architectural styles will find specific details here that differ from the subjects covered by the museum departments.
Trails Through History and to Viewpoints
The Museum Detective Trail runs through the old town to Neuhaus Castle. “Sledi industrije” offers a different perspective: metal shoe prints point to historic shoemaking sites throughout the historic centre. The trail is about two kilometres long and takes around an hour and a half with short breaks. This offers a way to explore the history of the craft not only through exhibitions, but also along a route through the town centre.
For a shorter walk, consider the hike to St. Joseph’s Church. It takes just over ten minutes from the town centre and offers a view of the historic district. Kamnek is about an hour away from the historic town centre via an easy trail. These estimates give you different ways to plan your time: a short walk to the church, an approximately one-hour hike to Kamnek, and the longer route to shoemaking sites.
Nature Destinations Nearby
A nature trail through the Blata wetland was established in spring 2014. It includes eleven observation points. The Dovžanova soteska, which is protected as a natural monument, is also nearby. A scenic nature trail runs through the gorge. Nature trails thus complement the town routes, while offering a different focus.
Another nearby destination is the Šentanski rudnik, nine kilometres north of Tržič. The fully preserved cave system is five kilometres long; visitors can walk through Antonov rov on the fifth level as part of a guided tour. Access requires prior arrangements. Plan this visit differently from a walk through the old town, and make the necessary arrangements in advance.
Local Cuisine and Event Date
Local dishes include Tržiške bržole, a stew made with mutton or lamb. Restaurants in Tržič serve selected traditional dishes prepared in a modern style. Šuštarska nedelja takes place on the first Sunday in September. Check the specific programme before your trip if you would like to plan your stay around this date.
Discover more destinations: Loka.
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