In Mirna Peč, tangible traces of architectural history meet hiking trails of two clearly different lengths. The foundations of Tabor are displayed in the paving; Pot Slakove in Pavčkove mladosti is twelve kilometres long, with about three hours planned at a moderate walking pace. The marked Pot Temenica is six kilometres long. This makes it easy to shape a stay around architectural history, hiking, or your own mix of the two.
Tabor and the parish church: two historical perspectives
Tabor in Mirna Peč was built in the early 16th century as a fortification to protect against Ottoman raids. Its foundations are displayed in the paving on site. The Župnijska cerkev sv. Kancijana (Parish Church of St. Cantius) has been documented since 1433. It has a well-preserved Gothic chancel of significance for art history; construction work on the church was completed in 1917. Together, Tabor and the church offer two different perspectives on the history of the town: fortification and sacred architecture.
Poetry and a museum
At the Muzej Lojzeta Slaka in Toneta Pavčka, the Tone Pavček exhibition features audio recordings, interactive elements, and a dynamic visual projection of Pavček’s poetry. The exhibition thus combines several forms of interpretation rather than being limited to a single format. A description from 2019 also mentions the interactive Čebelji svet pavilion at the museum.
Two hiking trails, different distances
Pot Slakove in Pavčkove mladosti starts in front of the cultural centre in Mirna Peč and ends at the Muzej Lojzeta Slaka in Toneta Pavčka in Mirna Peč. At a moderate walking pace, about three hours are planned for the twelve-kilometre route. The start and end points, along with the approximate duration, provide a concrete framework for planning how much time to allow for the hike.
Pot Temenica is a marked, six-kilometre hiking trail. It is suitable for families with children and for hikers of average physical fitness. Six points are marked on the map. The choice of route can therefore be guided by different details: an approximate time frame is given for Pot Slakove, while Pot Temenica is described by its length and suitability for particular hikers.
Zijalo: water and rock
Zijalo is protected as a natural monument because of its hydrogeological and geomorphological features. At Zijalo, the Temenica resurfaces for the second time. Beneath a 35-metre-high rock cliff is the flood overflow, or water cave, Vodna jama pod Zijalom. The information links the river’s resurgence to a named geological formation and the site’s protected status.
An annual commemorative hike
A commemorative hike is held annually in Mirna Peč in honour of the Slovenian poet Tone Pavček and the accordionist and singer Lojze Slak. If you would like to plan your visit around the hike, check the date of that year’s event in advance.
Discover more destinations: Straža, Otočec, Šmihel Pri Žužemberku, Srednje Grčevje, Dolenje Kronovo, Šmarjeta, Novo Mesto, Mali Ban.
Return to the main travel overview: Novo Mesto.
