In Ruše, striking natural features meet a rich cultural and industrial history. The Municipality of Ruše is a co-founder of the Pohorje Regional Park. When planning your stay, you can focus on different interests: forests and waterfalls, cycling, or the history of the power plant, factory and historic educational institutions.
Forests, water and rock formations
From its source to its confluence with the Drava, the Lobnica stream descends more than 1,000 metres. Historically, a 17-kilometre water chute ran through the Lobnica Valley and was used to transport timber. The protected Šumik primeval forest preserves native forest communities; beech, fir and spruce trees grow on its steep slopes, among others. This natural area brings together forest habitats and traces of past human use.
The Veliki Šumik and Mali Šumik waterfalls lie in the Lobnica Gorge, within the protected Šumik primeval forest. Veliki Šumik is 24 metres high. The Verna Waterfall is also in the Šumik primeval forest: it is a sliding waterfall, and over its final 100 metres, the Verna stream plunges through a smooth, very steep tonalite gorge into the Lobnica. Their height and course give each waterfall its own distinctive character.
Trije hlebi, a 14-metre-high tower of three stacked rocks, also rises in the Šumik primeval forest. Another geological formation is Falska peč: on the right bank, it rises almost vertically several dozen metres above the Drava and is considered a unique formation in the Drava Valley. It is also home to the protected species Brstična lilija (Lilium bulbiferum) and Alpen-Host-Kalkfelsstein (Saxifraga hostii).[ [H_0014]]
Cycling and winter activities
The Drava Cycling Route passes through Ruše. In addition, a network of cycling trails extending for a total of 212 kilometres runs through the Ruško Pohorje and Ruše area. These details offer two different reference points for planning a cycling trip: a named route through Ruše and the total length of the trail network in the area described.
In the Ruško Pohorje, you can ride a Pležuh, go cross-country skiing and ski touring. Winter conditions and the availability of activities vary by season; check the conditions that apply to your visit before travelling. The DiscGolf Park Ruše-Areh is another option for recreation and leisure, and can also complement a walk in nature. It is also suitable for families with young children. As seasonal operating conditions may change, check them before your visit.
Cultural and industrial history
In Fala, part of the Municipality of Ruše, the Fala Hydroelectric Power Plant Museum is housed in the original machine hall of the oldest hydroelectric power plant on the Drava. A horizontal Francis turbine is preserved there. Visits to the exhibition must be arranged in advance; please make arrangements before you travel.
The Ruše Water Tower is part of the former nitrogen factory complex. Built in 1917 to serve the factory, it stands 43 metres high and has two tanks with capacities of 220 and 130 cubic metres, respectively. The tower is listed in Slovenia’s Register of Immovable Cultural Heritage. This single structure offers insight into both its former industrial function and its scale.
The churches also feature a variety of historical and architectural details. The Cerkev Marijinega imena in Ruše was built in 1387. Traces of Gothic and Baroque styles can be seen on the exterior, while the interior is Baroque. The Cerkev bičanega Zveličarja houses a figure of Christ, carved by a skilled woodcarver in the 18th century. Mary’s Church on Smolnik, also known as Marijina cerkev na Smolniku, was built between 1859 and 1861.
Letno gledališče Pod goroj was completed in 1931. This amphitheatre-style venue at the foot of the Pohorje has seating for 800 to 1,000 people and is especially known for its acoustics. Another historical highlight is Fala Castle (Falski grad): the castle was first mentioned in 1245, after the Benedictine abbots of St. Paul moved the seat of their Drava estate there from Lovrenc na Pohorju. In 1620, the University of Vienna held courses in philosophy, theology and economics there, making the castle Slovenia’s first institution of higher education.
Ruše’s six-year Latin school was founded in 1645 and operated until 1758, for a total of 113 years. During its full period of operation, Ruše was a cultural and educational centre known far beyond the town. Three buildings remain from the former Vivat glassworks, and a cellar probably also survives at the former factory site. The glassworks produced, among other things, finely cut glass, milk glass, ruby glass and ornaments; luxury glass was exported to several countries and regions. Glazerjevi Dnevi commemorates the poet, librarian, literary historian and editor Janko Glazer, who was born in Ruše, and promotes musical and literary creativity.
When choosing where to stay in Ruše, it helps to decide on your main interest first: the waterfalls and forest formations showcase nature, while the churches, theatre and industrial history offer a different way to explore the municipality. Cycling and seasonal winter activities add to these options, without requiring every interest to fit into the same itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Ruše, Selnica ob Dravi, Church of the Holy Spirit on Osterberg, Litija, Lendava, Sežana, Murska Sobota, Gornja Radgona.
See the main travel overview: Slovenia.
