Nova Cerkev reveals itself through tangible traces of church and local history: Blessed Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek served here as a chaplain, and a memorial room dedicated to him is housed in the parish barn. The area also features a Gothic chapel, a former parish church, and the hamlet of Polže, which preserves the appearance of a Slovenian Styrian village. Sacred history and traditional rural architecture offer different points of interest.

Slomšek and the Churches of Nova Cerkev

Anton Martin Slomšek served as a chaplain in Nova Cerkev from 1827 to 1829. The parish barn was fully restored in 2011 and houses a memorial room dedicated to him. Every year, a varied program of events takes place there as part of the Slomšek Cultural Days. Since the dates vary from year to year, check the relevant annual program if you plan to time your trip to coincide with the cultural days.

The Church of St. Leonard and the Chapel of St. Michael stand behind a once-mighty defensive wall. St. Leonard’s is a former parish church dating from the 13th century. The Chapel of St. Michael is Gothic and features reconstructed Baroque architectural painting from the late 18th century. The windows in the presbytery and the entrance door have also been reconstructed. Slomšek is also associated with the chapel: he held a Sunday school there for his congregation.

Traditional Rural Architecture in Polže

The hamlet of Polže near Nova Cerkev comprises five farmsteads and preserves the appearance of a Slovenian Styrian village from the mid-to-late 19th century. Its rural architecture includes a mill, a Venetian sawmill, hay barns, a black kitchen, and a granary with a cellar. Those interested in rural heritage will find a different focus here than at the churches and memorial room: traditional village and farmstead architecture.

Water Power at Soržev mlin

At Soržev mlin, the focus is on the interaction between water and milling technology. The mill is situated on a small island between the Hudinja River and a stream. The stream’s water powers the wheels of the mill and the Venetian sawmill. Visitors can see both installations in operation, and a range of mill products is also available to buy. A visit here is therefore about the setting by the water as well as the work of the mill and sawmill.

On Foot, by Bike, and at Events

The Slomšek Pilgrimage Route leads on foot from Frankolovo down to Nova Cerkev along field and forest paths. Check the trail conditions before setting out. A recreational cycling route in Nova Cerkev is classified as easy and is intended particularly to appeal to young cyclists. The 2025 events calendar also listed a traditional bike ride organized by the Nova Cerkev Sports and Cycling Club, featuring a blessing of the bicycles and an 11-kilometre route through the local community’s surrounding area.

One dated example of local events is the 38th traditional Carnival parade, which took place in Nova Cerkev on 15 February 2026. More than 53 groups with 1,300 participants took part in the procession. These figures refer to that edition of the carnival; they do not describe a future event date.

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